MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course # / Title:

AET 2560.01, AET 2560.02 / Introduction to Sound Reinforcement

Course Credit Hours:

3 hours

Semester:

Fall 2008

Instructor:

Anthony Cottrill

Instructor Contacts:

615-460-6144, cottrillt@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Class Location:

Massey Building, Room B19

Meeting Time(s):

Section 01 TR 9:30am–10:45am, Section 02 TR 11:00am–12:15pm

Final Exam:

2560.02 Tue. Dec 16, 8am, 2560.03 Mon. Dec 15, 11am

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

Week Of                     Tuesday                                               Thursday                                

8/25                                                                                         Introduction

9/1                               Curb Café Training                             Signal Flow    

9/8                               Flow Chart Identification                   Signal Flow

9/15                             Flow Chart Identification                   Showcase Preparation

9/22                             Crossovers                                           Loudspeakers

9/29                             Loudspeakers                                      Enclosures

10/6                             Fall Break                                            Mixdown Project Review

10/13                           Pin-outs                                               Mid Term

10/20                           Loudspeaker Connections                  Parallel/Series 

10/27                           Parallel/Series                                      Horns 

11/3                             Bi/Tri amp systems                              Amplifiers

11/10                           Test Equipment                                   Sound Theory

11/17                           Microphones                                       Microphone Identification

11/24                           Equalizers                                            Thanksgiving Break

12/1                             Amplitude Processors                         Time Based Processors           

12/8                             Last Day of Classes                            No Classes