MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course # / Title / Credit: AET 3560.03I / Sound Reinforcement / 3 hours
Instructor: Frank Baird Contacts: 615-460-6905, bairdf@pop.belmont.edu
Semester: Fall 2007; Class Location: Massey
Building, Room B19
Meeting Time(s): TR 8:00 AM
– 9:15 AM
Final Exam: Thursday, December 6th, 8:00 AM
Educational
Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music:
1) To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise and entrepreneurship. 2) To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments. 3) To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.
Course Description: AET 3560 - Sound Reinforcement. Prerequisites: MBU 1110, MBU 1380. A practicum based study of
equipment, systems concepts, design, and acoustical problems involved in sound
reinforcement for live performances and touring as related to professional
concert situations. Lab hours required.
Learning Outcomes:
1-To introduce student to the basic principles of audio engineering for
sound reinforcement.
2- Emphasis is placed on practical sound reinforcement applications,
terms and definitions.
Performance
Criteria:
1- The student is required to attend and role-play in Belmont
University Music Business Showcases.
2- During campus events where sound reinforcement is necessary,
Students from 3560 and 4560 will work together at other relevant live sound and
live recording functions.
3- Participate in the classroom/lab environment with the Instructor,
gaining “hands-on” experience with the equipment and tools necessary for
effective sound reinforcement.
4- The Instructor will also attempt to provide off-campus sound
reinforcement or related activities and/or observations.
Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the
Belmont University Honor Code. “In
affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will
not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false
or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any
other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my
grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will
uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and
letter of this Honor Pledge.”
Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance:
Your participation
in this class is of the utmost importance. By missing even one lecture, you are
missing a piece of a very big puzzle. I do, however, recognize that there are
certain circumstances that may require you to miss a class. These include, but
are not limited to:
·
Absence
to attend an official campus activity (as designated by the Dean’s Office)
·
Absences
for personal or family emergencies (as verified by the Dean’s Office)
·
Absences
for medical reasons (as discussed with instructor)
If you miss a
class, please see me about missed lectures and/or assignments. Please try to get any missed notes from a
classmate.
Your participation
and attendance in the “Showcase” series of concerts is also important. You will
be required to attend/participate in one showcase.
The attendance policies will be the same as in the current catalog.
(Policy for a course meeting twice a week,
>8 absences = F.)
2. Materials: Davis &
Jones; Sound Reinforcement Handbook ISBN: 0881889008.
3. Assignments:
Events hosted in Curb Cafe are required labs for this course; your
grade is dependent upon your presence and participation at these events.
In addition, other labs scheduled by the Coordinator of Sound
Reinforcement throughout the semester will be considered required
events/projects.
These events will be posted on the Sound Reinforcement Event Calendar @
http://forum.belmont.edu/livesound. It is the student’s responsibility to stay
informed as to the nature and scheduling of required events.
The mixdown project will consist of a stereo two track mix of provided
mulitrack records of a previous Music Business showcase. The mixing will take place on the Midas
console in the classroom. Projects are
due on Tuesday November 27th at the end of regular class.
4. Testing:
There will be 2 tests given during the
semester: one mid-term, and one final exam.
There will be four quizzes. Absolutely NO “MAKE-UP” QUIZZES ARE
ALLOWED.
The final exam will be comprehensive.
The practical exam will take place in the class room. Each student will have the opportunity to
have a hands on experience with the an audio console, graphic equalizer,
amplifier, and audio monitor.
5.
Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current
Undergraduate Bulletin.
For this class, I
will use a basic letter grade system. For testing purposes the points will
convert into grades based on the following:
A+ = 97-100 B+
= 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = 50-0
A = 93-96 B = 83-86 C
= 73-76 D = 63-66
A- = 90-92 B-
= 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-62
Your final grade
will be based on an average of the following:
1. Class
Attendance:
10%
2. Event Participation/Attendance:
20%
3. Practical Exam 10%
4.
Quizzes:
10%
5. Mixdown Project 10%
6. Mid-Term
Exam: 20%
7. Final Exam:
20%
6.
Class Schedule:
Although my goal is to keep as close as
possible to the schedule below, inevitably it will change on occasion.
Week Of Tuesday Thursday
8/20/07 Introduction
8/27/07 Curb Café Training Microphone
Identification
9/3/07 Microphones
Flow
Chart Identification
9/10/07 Console Signal Flow Console Signal Flow
9/17/07 Wire Showcase
Preparation
9/24/07 Practical Exam 1 Practical Exam 2
10/1/07 Connectors Mid
Term Review
10/8/07 Mid Term Exam Fall Break
10/15/07 Mixdown Project Review Amplifiers
10/22/07 Parallel/Series Loudspeaker
Specifications
10/29/07 Loudspeakers Loudspeakers
11/5/07 Loudspeaker Connections Horns
11/12/07 Enclosures Crossover points / Pin-outs
11/19/07 System Interfacing Thanksgiving Break
11/26/07 Sound Theory Sound Theory
12/3/07 Final Exam Review Final Exam