BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Audio Engineering I

Course #: AET 3090

Credit Hours:  3

Semester:  Spring 2007

Class Location:  RCA Studio B, 30 Music Square West, Nashville TN, 37203 (615) 242-5167

Meeting Time(s):                Section 1.              TR 8:00AM – 9:15AM

                                                Section 2.              TR 9:30AM – 10:45AM

Labs:                                     Section 1.              MW 1:00PM - 1:50PM  –  one day per week as assigned in class.

                                                Section 2.              MW 2:00PM – 2:50PM  –  one day per week as assigned in class.

Final Exam:                        Section 1.              Thursday, 7 December 2006, 8:00 AM

                                                Section 2.              Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 8:00 AM

Instructor:            Mr. Ken Landers                  Phone:  (615) 460-6174                        Email: landersk@mail.belmont.edu

Contacts:              Mr. Michael Janas, Studio Manager, RCA Studio B    (615) 242-5167    Email: janasm@mail.belmont.edu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

Prerequisites: AET 1380 and permission of instructor. A detailed study of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of the recording studio. Topics include basic studio electronics and signal flow, dynamic processing, basic microphone design, studio acoustics, basic session procedures, and the role of the assistant engineer. Emphasis is placed on developing logistical as well as audio perception skills for recording engineers. Lab hours required. ($30.00 course fee)

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

Students will:

·         Demonstrate their knowledge, comprehension, and abilities to analyze and synthesize information presented during classroom lectures, demonstrations, labs, and assigned readings through testing, papers, and projects.

·         Demonstrate their knowledge and comprehension of audio engineering and apply developed knowledge and skills in the recording studio by recording and mixing multiple studio projects.

·         Assemble relevant project data and organize it into a cohesive project while engineering and assisting on student recording projects.  Students will also evaluate the session experience and project data in a session journal.

·         Develop the applicable skills and knowledge to become a competent assistant engineer on a professional recording project.

 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

 

Students will:

  • Serve as an assistant engineer in the recording studio for a minimum of 20 hours.
  • Engineer 3 recording & mixing projects.
  • Complete 3 written assignments, the assistant engineering assignment, the RCA-B song analysis, and a historic song analysis.
  • Complete 2 practical examinations demonstrating their knowledge of the recording studio
  • Complete 4 exams demonstrating knowledge gained from lectures, readings, and assignments.

 

GOALS OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS:

 

The following objectives will be applied toward course completion:

 

·         To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

  • To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.
  • To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

 

 

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.”

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.    Attendance: As per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Students are encouraged to attend all class sessions.  This class moves very fast and covers lots of material.  There will be no make-up exams given.  If a student has an excused absence (official notice from the provost) and misses an exam, the other exam grades will be averaged without that test.  

 

2.       Textbooks:

a.        Audio in Media, 7th Edition by Stanley Alten.  Wadsworth 2004.

b.       Make Mine Music by Bruce Swedien.   MIA Press 2004.

c.        Audio Engineering I Lab Book

 

3.       Participation and Prepared Assignments:  All projects are due at the beginning of class on the date stated below in the class schedule. 

 

a.        Assistant Engineering Assignment. 

                                                   i.      Song Chart.  This involves charting song structure, identifying instruments and parts performed, and matching timings to a CD or downloaded recording. 

                                                 ii.      Lyric Sheet.  Using a word processor, format the song lyrics to match exactly what is on the recording.  Provide boxes to the right of the lyric for marking takes.

 

b.       RCA Studio B Song Analysis.  Students will select a song that was recorded at historic RCA Studio B in its commercially operational years 1957-1977.  Students must verify that the selected song was actually recorded at RCA-B with Mr. Landers or Mr. Janas to be accepted for credit.  

                                                   i.      Paper.   Students will research the recording and include the following information in a well thought out and executed short paper  (2 pages minimum).  Students must provide the following information: label, album song was released on, song title, writer(s), engineer(s), producer(s), player(s) , and, if possible, recording format and anecdotes regarding the session.  Citations must be in MLA form. 

                                                 ii.      Song Chart.  As above, in the Assistant Engineering Assignment.

                                               iii.      Lyric Sheet. As above, in the Assistant Engineering Assignment.

 

c.        Historic Song Analysis.  Students will select a popular song (charted song in pop, country, rock, or similar charts) recorded and released prior to 1980.  Otherwise, this assignment is identical to the RCA Studio B Song Analysis.  The elements to be turned in include:

                                                   i.      Paper.  As above, see RCA Studio B Song Analysis

                                                 ii.      Song Chart. As above, see RCA Studio B Song Analysis

                                               iii.      Lyric Sheet. As above, see RCA Studio B Song Analysis

 

d.       Additional Assignments. The instructor reserves the right to add assignments as he deems fit or necessary.  Any additional assignments will be averaged into the Additional Projects/Papers section of the grade evaluations.

 

4.         Studio Team Recording Projects.  AET3090 students are required to participate as an Engineer in three (3) Team Recording Projects as part of AE1:  an 8-Track Record & Mix Project, a 16-Track Record Project and a 16-Track Mix Project.

a.       AET3090 students are required to participate as an Assistant Engineer on 5 sessions (any session at RCA Studio B or on campus in the R.E. Mulloy Student Studios).

 

b.       These projects give you practical, hands-on recording experience, and require you to work together as a team to organize and coordinate sessions as well as record the music.  If you have any questions after reading these requirements, please see your instructor.

 

c.        Team: Includes two Engineers and one Assistant Engineer.

 

d.       Responsibilities:

                                                   i.      Recording engineers (Any AET3090 students may pair up)

1.       Organize session

a.        Choose musicians

b.       Choose song

c.        Coordinate session date with musicians

2.       Plan Session Details

a.        Recording

                                                                                                                           i.      Plan studio layout (placement of musicians in room).

                                                                                                                         ii.      Plan mic assignments and track layout.

                                                                                                                       iii.      Acquire lyrics, create vocal comp/arrangement chart and make copies of chart for session.

b.       Mixing

                                                                                                                           i.      Plan initial instrument balance and signal processing ideas.

3.       The Session

a.        Arrive promptly at studio and sign in

b.       Check out equipment needed from staff engineer (mics, headphones, etc.)

c.        Setup: prepare studio room as needed (rugs, baffles, stands, cables, cues)

4.       Recording

a.        Place mics (including signal processing, if desired) and test signal path.

b.       Record song.

c.        Create mix, including signal processing, as specified below.

d.       Print mix to two-track recorders, as specified below.

5.       Mixing

a.        Create mix, including signal processing, as specified below.

b.       Print mix to two-track recorders, as specified below.

c.        Both engineers must review session documentation with assistant engineer.

d.       Clean up studio and control room, put away equipment and instruments, normal console and signal processing equipment.

e.        Turn in finished project, with all session documentation and recorded material.  Engineers are responsible for the presentation (the “look”) of the project.  The documents must be submitted in the order listed below.  The engineers are responsible for the final version of the Recording Credits sheet.

 

                                                 ii.      Assistant engineer (must be AET3090 student)

1.       Complete the following session documentation:

a.        During Recording:  Track Sheet-Mic list, tape times on lyric/song charts (charts to be provided by engineers), patchbay documentation on Recording Map, studio layouts, relevant equipment recall documentation, and notes for the Credits sheet (names of everyone who played or worked on the session)

b.       During Mixing: Track Sheet-Mic list, patchbay documentation on Recording Map, studio layouts (if needed), relevant equipment recall documentation, and notes for the Credits sheet (names of everyone who played or worked on the session) and the CD Label and AES Media Insert.

2.       Assist in setup and clean up of studio room and control room (rugs, baffles, stands, cables, cues – no mics).

 

                                               iii.      All Team Members:

1.       Session Journal: 

a.        With a minimum of one page per session, each team member will describe the recording process and the events of the session.  Each team member will turn in his or her session journal at the next class following the session.

                                                                                                                           i.      Session Journal should be typed and double-checked for proper grammar and spelling.

 

e.        Required Materials for the Projects

                                                   i.      To be provided by students:

1.       Blank CD-Rs with jewel cases (do not use CD-A discs)

2.       Manila envelopes with clasp (or equivalent) to submit projects (it will contain your Mix CDs & session documentation)

                                                 ii.      Provided by RCA Studio B

1.       Neato Labels for CD-Rs (create using the public access computer at RCA Studio B)

2.       Analog Recording Tape: 2” for recording, Ό” for printing mixes

3.       Session documentation forms (located in the black file cabinet in the Break Room)

 

f.         General Session Requirements

                                                   i.      Engineers may not perform on their project sessions.

                                                 ii.      Assistant Engineers may not perform on project sessions.

                                               iii.      Only enrolled AET3090 students may assist on AET3090 project sessions.

                                               iv.      Scheduled Engineers or Assistant Engineers who do not show up for confirmed sessions will lose one full letter from their final course grade. 

                                                 v.      Assistant Engineers who must miss a session must contact the Engineer and make arrangements for a replacement.  It is the responsibility of the Assistant Engineer to find their substitute.

                                               vi.      Only AE1 Approved Microphones (dynamic mics) may be used – no exceptions.

1.       A complete (and current) list of RCA-Bs microphones can be found at http://campus.belmont.edu/rcastudiob/rcabgear.html

                                             vii.      In a manila envelope, submit a mix CD and the session documentation for each project on the due date at the beginning of class.

 

g.       Scheduling Session Time

                                                   i.      Reserve project session time in class.  The sessions are considered on HOLD, and are posted in RED typeface on the RCA Studio B Schedule website: http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/studio/schedule.htm.

                                                 ii.      To confirm your session, complete a WORK ORDER (available at RCA Studio B or online) and submit it to the RCA Studio B Manager.

                                               iii.      Once the work order is verified your session is posted in GREEN typeface on the RCA Studio B Schedule website. 

                                               iv.      Work Orders must be submitted no less than 1 week prior to the first session.

                                                 v.      Requests to change session times must be submitted directly to the RCA-B Studio Manager via email or written note.

 

h.       Session Documentation - Documents must be submitted in this order!

                                                   i.      CD Label & AES Media Insert:  Use the Neato label listed above for the CD and complete an AES Media Insert for the CD jewel case.

                                                 ii.      Re