Syllabus_Template

Course # / Title:	AET1380 Survey of Recording Technology
Course Credit Hours:	3 hrs.
Semester:	Fall 2008
Instructor:	Ken Landers, M.A. B.A.
Instructor Contacts:	615-460-6174, landersk@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	Monday 12PM – 3PM, Tuesday 11AM - 1PM, Wednesday 12PM – 3PM
Class Location:	Massey Business Center, Center for Music Business, B25
Meeting Time(s):	Section .02 9AM – 9.50AM MWF Section .03 11AM – 11.50AM MWF
Final Exam:	Section .02 Monday, 15 December 2008 @ 8:00 AM Section .03 Thursday, 11 December 2008 @ 11:00 AM

Course Description:

A study of the major areas of recording technology as related to the music industry. The student receives an overview of analog and digital technology with attention to its innovations, history, and effect on the music industry.

Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

� identify and recall significant events and individuals that have influenced recording technology from 1844 to the present.

� describe and implement basic procedures used in the recording process.

� recognize and appraise differences in audio examples using critical listening skills.

� apply and interpret a technical vocabulary.

� demonstrate fundamental knowledge and basic skill manipulating entry-level professional recording equipment.

Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:

� read audio related supplemental articles and web-linked assigned reading.

� associate recording devices, mediums, and their inventors chronologically in a historical timeline.

� categorize facts from the acoustic, electrical, and digital eras.

� identify microphone placement, characteristics, and miking techniques.

� describe the power of the dB.

� list characteristics of analog tape.

� explain how multi-track recording changed the production of music.

� explain the difference between a bit, byte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terrabyte.

� relate the Nyquist Theory to the vibration cycle of a waveform.

� list steps in the encoding and decoding of a digital signal.

� list current digital formats.

� explain the advantages of the digital workstation.

� explain how the ear works.

� describe the basic principles of auditory perception.

� identify the properties of sound and how it behaves in a room.

� plot differences in frequency and dB.

� calculate harmonics, wavelength, and octaves using frequency.

� differentiate the envelope of a sound from the life cycle of a sound.

� recognize the time difference between delay and reverb.

� recognize the effect of a signal that is in and out-of-phase.

� identify recording methods used during the recording process.

� describe how the phonautograph, phonograph, and the telegraphone work.

� recognize and explain the function of specific audio equipment used in the recording studio.

� practice signal flow.

� describe how the speaker works.

� describe how the tape recorder works.

� explain the basics of digital audio.

� calculate differences in bit word length, bandwidth of sample rates, and dynamic range.

� identify digital and computer interfaces.

� create a stereo mix from a pre-recorded 8 track multi-track project.

� create a final recording project using classroom equipment, or

� create a class presentation based on a product that demonstrates how technology is in a state of change.

Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

� short answer quizzes and multiple-choice tests based on lectures, assigned readings, and class listening examples.

� written observations of studio recording sessions.

� completion of a collaborative mix project.

� completion of a collaborative final recording project or class presentation.

� a comprehensive written exam based on lectures, assigned readings, and listening.

Testing & Assignments:

*Activity*	*Credit*	*Purpose/Description*
1. Quizzes (6 @ 10pts each)	6 %	Based on reading assignments, lectures, and listening. Quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge of the topic. Quiz format is short answer or fill in the blank.
2. Comprehensive Tests (4 @ 100 pts each)	40 %	Based on reading assignments, lectures and listening. Comprehensive tests will assess the depth of the student’s knowledge of the topic. Each test is a series of multiple-choice questions.
3. Written Observations (4 @ 30 pts each)	12 %	A pre-formatted three-page report demonstrates the application of knowledge gained from observing (4) studio recording sessions. Grading is achieved by an observation rubric.
4. Mix Project (100 pts)	10 %	A collaborative group mix project demonstrates the student’s ability to use classroom studio equipment. Grading is achieved by a mix rubric.
5a. Final Recording Project (120 pts)		A collaborative group recording project demonstrates the student’s ability to record a song using classroom studio equipment. Accompanied by a three-page report documenting procedure, the report and mix are graded using a final project rubric.
or	12%
5b. Class Presentation (120 pts)		In lieu of a final recording project, students will present a 10min PPT presentation accompanied by a five-page report of a product that demonstrates how recording technology is changing. Paper must cite a minimum of (5) references and use MLA format.
6. Final Exam (200 pts)	20 %	A comprehensive test of multiple-choice questions and short answers is used to measure the student’s composite knowledge of topics covered from lectures, readings, equipment use, and listening.

Course & Classroom Policies:

Attendance & Participation: Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.

http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2008jun/apolicy/index.html

Points (%) will be deducted from the final grade for unexcused absences. 1 absence, 1.5%; 2 absences, 3%; 3 absences, 4.5%; 4 absences, 6%; 5 absences, 7.5%; 6 absences, 9%; 7 absences, 10.5%; 8 absences, 12%; 9 absences, 13.5%; 10 absences, the student will be dropped from the class with a failing grade (WF).

Materials:

1. Textbook(s)

a. Audio In Media, 7^th Edition by Stanley Alten. Wadsworth.

b. America on Record; A History of Recorded Sound, 2^nd Edition, Andre Millard, Cambridge Press.

c. Any other assigned readings via web, on-hold texts in library, or Blackboard.

2. Web Access. – Required. Students will need the Internet for research and other information.

3. CD-Rs and DVD-Rs will be used to turn in projects.

PLEASE NOTE: America On Record is a required purchase and is available in the BU bookstore. Audio in Media, 7th Edition is a recommended purchase and is no longer available from the publisher. You are encouraged to find a used text, or purchase individual chapters via ichapters.com at:

https://www.ichapters.com/tl1/en/US/storefront/ichapters?cmd=catProductDetail&showAddButton=true&ISBN=978-0-534-63046-1 The following chapters are covered in this course. 1) Ears, 2) Physics & Psychophysics, 3) Acoustics & Psychoacoustics, 4) Microphones, 5) Consoles & Control Surfaces, 6) Recording, 8) Signal Processors, 9) Loudspeakers & Monitoring, and 13) Music Production.

All students are expected to prepare and contribute to class discussions. Specific class activities, lecture notes, reminders, and reviews are updated frequently using Blackboard. Additional class readings and website links are available on the class website. http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET1380/

You are expected to complete reading and study of textbook chapter assignments as noted in the daily class schedule. Additional material given via handouts and class PPT lecture notes (available for print via Blackboard) will require an organized binder. A #2 pencil will be needed for quizzes and multiple-choice tests. Observation of four recording sessions at designated intervals with detailed reports will be required. Additionally, all students will complete a collaborative mix project, a final recording project, or a class presentation.

Grade Evaluation: As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:

Grade	Percent (GPA)
A	94 (4.0)
A-	90 (3.7)
B+	87 (3.3)
B	84 (3.0)
B-	80 (2.7)
C+	77 (2.3)
C	74 (2.0)
C-	70 (1.7)
Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major.
D+	67
D	64
D-	60
F	< 60

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.

Class Schedule:

Week	Major Events	Class Topics	Assignments
Aug 27-29		Basics of hearing and sound.	Syllabus, Blackboard, class website, discussion
Sept 1	Labor Day	No Class
Sept 3-5		Basics of hearing and sound, cont. Acoustical era of recording, phonograph, gramophone, et. al.	Read AiM ch. 1, 2, &3; Frequency Spectrum Handout., BOR worksheet
Sept 8-12		Acoustical era continues.	Read AOR ch 6-7. Handouts on building blocks of audio, test review
Sept 15-19	Exam 1 – Sept 19	The electrical era.	Handout, lab operations worksheet, B25 signal flow, AOR ch 8-9
Sept 22-26	Observation 1 Due Sept 26	Microphones.	AiM Ch. 4 – Microphones; AOR Ch. 10; Microphone Worksheet
Sept 29 – Oct 3		The magnetic era begins. Birth of the LP	Birth of the LP handout; AOR Ch. 14
Oct 6-10	Fall Break Oct 6-8	Loudspeakers. Magnetic tape recording.	AiM Ch. 9 – Loudspeakers; AOR Ch. 10; Les Paul – “Chasing Sound” DVD
Oct 13-17	Midterm Exam Oct 17 Lab Tutorial Due Oct 17	Magnetic recording continues. The stereo era begins. Stereo on record. Multichannel tape.	AiM Ch. 13 – Music Production
Oct 20-24		Multitrack recording & specific recorder theory.	AOR Ch 15-16; “Sgt. Pepper’s DVD”
Oct 27-31	Observation 2 Due Oct 31	Signal Processing The recording console.	AiM Ch.5 ; Analog Audio Handouts.; 70s & 80s recording handout; Final Project worksheet handout.
Nov 3-7		Signal Processing cont. Digital audio theory and application.	AOR Ch. 17-18; Digital Audio supplemental handout
Nov 10-14	Exam 3 Nov 14 Observation 3 Due Nov 14	Conclusion of digital. Recent consumer & professional formats.	AiM Ch. 6 – Digital Recording;
Nov 17-21		Digital Audio Workstations. New developments in media.	Future of recordings handout
Nov 24-26	Thanksgiving Break Nov 26-28
Dec 1-5	Observation 4 Due Dec 5	Editing demonstrations. Student presentations. Project listening.
Dec 8		Final Review	Study for final, bring questions
Dec 11	Final Exam – Section .03	11AM!!!
Dec 15	Final Exam – Section .02	8AM!!!