MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course # / Title:	AET 2560.03 / Sound Reinforcement
Course Credit Hours:	3 Hours
Semester:	Fall 2008
Instructor:	Frank Baird, M.Ed., B.A.
Instructor Contacts:	615-460-6905, bairdf@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	By appointment.  MPA 19
Class Location:	Massey Building, Room B19
Meeting Time(s):	Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM
Final Exam:	Thursday December 11^th, 2008, 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM

Course Description:

AET 2560 - 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.

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

· design, assemble, trouble-shoot and operate small venue sound systems with a knowledge base of large concert venue sound systems.

· identify and analyze live acoustic and audio system technical problems.

· apply analog console live signal routing and signal flow charts.

Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:

· recognize and use basic terms/definitions, techniques, skills, and modern tools of the disciplines within practical sound reinforcement applications through classroom theory/shop/laboratory and small venue application.

· be required to attend and role-play in Belmont University Music Business showcases.

· participate in the classroom/lab environment with the instructor.

· work with students from AET 4560 Advanced Sound Reinforcement students at on campus events employing live sound and live recording techniques as per assignments delegated by the Coordinator of Live Sound department.

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

· Written responses comprising short answers.

· Multiple choice, and true and false questions.

· Mixing prerecorded live performances on to CD. 

Testing & Assignments:

There will be two quizzes, one mid-term, and one final exam.  Along with mandatory testing you will be required to complete homework assignments. An analog Mixdown Project due at the end of semester is also included.

Activity	Credit	Purpose/Description
1. Event Participation/Attendance	20 %	Based on attending and taking part in AET Live Sound events including, but not limited to Curb Café events, CEMB Showcases, and other events as booked.
2. Quizzes	10 %	Based on reading assignments, quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge base of the topic.
3. Mixdown Project	20 %	Based on a team collaboration of two students, the mixdown project will assess the student’s ability to mix a prerecorded live recording to a CD.
4. Mid-Term Exam	25%	Based on reading assignments and lectures, comprehensive tests will assess the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the topic.  Each test is comprised of a series of short-answer essay questions supplemented with multiple-choice questions.
5. Final Exam	25%	Based on reading assignments and lectures, comprehensive tests will assess the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the topic.  Each test is comprised of a series of short-answer essay questions supplemented with multiple-choice questions.

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

Materials:

Davis & Jones; Sound Reinforcement Handbook ISBN: 0881889008.

CDR’s for mixdown project. 

Calculator

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: Although my goal is to keep as close as possible to the schedule below, inevitably it will change on occasion.

Date	Topic	Section
August 28	Introduction
September 2	Curb Café Training		Meet @ Curb Cafe
September 4	Simple Sound/dB	1 & 2
September 8			Shows start in Curb Cafe
September 9	Waveform/dB	3
September 11	dB/OSHA	3
September 16	Microphones	10
September 18	Showcase Preparation
September 23	Microphones	10
September 25	Graphic EQ/Consoles	14,7, & 11
September 30	Consoles	11
October 2	Consoles	11
October 7	Fall Break
October 9	Mixdown Project Review
October 14	Consoles	11
October 16	Midterm Review
October 21	Midterm
October 23	Wire	15
October 28	Connectors	15
October 30	Amplifiers	12
November 4	Amplifiers	12
November 6	Speakers	13
November 11	Speakers	13
November 13	Speakers	13
November 18	Speakers	13
November 20	Crossovers	13
November 25	History of LSR
November 27	Thanksgiving Break
December 2	Amplitude Processors	14
December 4	Time Based Processors	14
December 9	Final Exam Review
December 11	Final