Course # / Title:

Survey of Recording Technology

Semester:

Spring - 2008

Instructor:

Mr. Mike Poston

Instructor Contacts:

Phone: 886-8996 / Office

Email:    postonm@mail.belmont.edu   or  mike@epool.com

Instructor Office Hours:

Daytime at MayfieldMastering.com ; email anytime.

Course Credit:

3  Hours

Class Location:

Center for Music Business, Massey B-25

Meeting Time(s):

CRN# 20282, 1380.07,  8:00-9:15am  TR

CRN# 20283, 1380.08,  9:30-10:45am  TR

 

Final Exam:

CRN# 20282, 1380.07 – Thursday, May 1, 8:00am – B-25

CRN# 20283, 1380.08 – Tuesday, May 6, 8:00am – B-25

 

Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business:

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:  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 Learning Outcomes:  The student will:

  • identify historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance
  • recognize key figures and describe how their contributions influenced the production of music
  • learn and apply a technical language for use in the music business industry
  • formulate a timeline of recording devices and mediums developed
  • know and evaluate how sound is produced
  • examine how audio recording devices work
  • listen and assess the quality of audio recordings and identify recording methods used
  • observe recording sessions and apply course concepts
  • demonstrate basic signal flow

 

Performance Criteria:  The student will:

 

  • listen, identify, and associate characteristics of recording mediums in a historical timeline
  • know and apply an audio technical vocabulary
  • list recording devices chronologically
  • consolidate important facts from course text, "America On Record"
  • explain how the ear works
  • plot differences in dB and frequency using the Equal Loudness Contour graph
  • describe the power of the dB
  • identify basic acoustic and psychoacoustic principles
  • calculate harmonics, wavelength, and octaves using frequency
  • differentiate the envelope of a sound from the life cycle of a sound
  • interpret related, supplemental articles and web-linked assigned reading
  • distinguish basic studio equipment and explain their function
  • describe basic recording studio procedures
  • identify microphone characteristics, placement, and stereo miking techniques
  • trace introductory signal flow
  • name characteristics of analog tape
  • describe how the tape recorder works
  • explain how multi-track recording changed the production of music
  • describe how a speaker works
  • demonstrate basic recording skills and operate classroom recording equipment
  • write (4) studio observation reports applying and contrasting current course content discussed
  • explain the basics of digital theory; sampling, quantization, anti-aliasing, dither, and data compression
  • calculate differences in bit word length, bandwidth of sample rates, and dynamic range
  • relate the Nyquist Theory to the vibration cycle of a waveform
  • know the difference between a bit, byte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terrabyte
  • list steps in the encoding and decoding of a digital signal
  • explain differences in current digital formats
  • identify digital and computer interfaces
  • list advantages of the digital workstation
  • as part of a team, create an 8-track mix from a pre-recorded multi-track project using classroom equipment
  • as part of a team, create a final recording project using classroom equipment, or
  • create a presentation from a new idea, product, or concept demonstrating how recording technology is in a constant state of change

 

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:

 

A.  Attendance:  Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.   Additionally, unexcused absences and tardiness will result in a reduction in grade points.   Do yourself a favor, and get there at least 5 minutes before class begins.

 

B.  Text & Materials:   1.) Audio in Media, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth. 

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

3.) A class notebook/binder and several blank CD-R’s for class projects will be needed.

 

C.  Required Assignments:   Reading and study of textbook chapter assignments as noted in the daily class schedule.  Additional material given via handouts and class lectures on powerpoint require an organized class notebook/binder.  Observation of four (4) recording sessions at designated intervals with detailed reports will be necessary.   Additionally, all students will complete Part 1 of the lab tutorial and record a final project (Part 2 of tutorial) or prepare a collaborative presentation.

 

D.  Testing & Quizzes:  All test dates are noted in the class schedule.  Quizzes are unannounced.  No makeup tests or makeup quizzes will be given.  The final exam is comprehensive.  Test dates maybe subject to change with exception of the final exam.  No electronic devices of any kind maybe used during exams.

 

E.  Evaluation                  Tests 1-4 @ 100 points each              =   400 Points  40%

                               Studio Observations 4 @ 30 points each      =   120 Points  12%

                               Lab Tutorial, Part I                                      =     90 Points   9%

                               Quizzes 4 @ 10 points each                        =     40 Points   4%

                               RCA-B Tour (required)                                 =     50 Points   5%

                               Final Project or Presentation                        =   120 Points  12%

                               Final Exam                                                 =   180 Points  18%      

                                                                        GRAND TOTAL =  1,000 Points 100%

 

Grading Scale

Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin located at:

http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/ap_as.html

A+ = 970-1000        B+ = 870-928        C+ = 770-799            D+ = 670-699               F = BELOW 600                                               

A   = 930-969          B  =  830-869         C  = 730-769            D   = 630-669

A-  = 900-929          B- =  800-829         C- = 700-729            D-  = 600-629                                         

 

Extra Credit:  Occasionally, opportunities arise that can provide a little extra credit, but will not be granted in lieu of any required work. 

 

 

Final Thought:  Music is why we’re here.  It’s all around us, we play it, we sing it and we enjoy it.   The Music Business is driven by Technology which allows us to make a living and our ears are the primary tools of our trade.   This foundational class is all about the technology that drove the music business in the past, what’s driving it now, and what’s ahead of us in the future.    

 

 

Class Schedule: 

 

Jan 10 – Thurs

Intro

Jan  21 – Mon

MLK HOLIDAY

Jan 31 – Thurs

TEST #1 & Observation # 1 Due

Feb 21 – Tues

Lab Tutorial Part 1 Due

Feb 28 - Thurs

TEST #2 & Observation # 2 Due

Feb 29 -

Mid-Term Grades

Mar 18 – Tues

Observation # 3 Due

Mar 20-21

Easter Break

Mar 24-28

Spring Break

Apr 3  - Thurs

TEST #3

Apr 22 - Tues

Observation # 4 Due

Apr 24 - Thurs

TEST #4

Apr 29 – Tues

Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due

May 1   – Thurs

1380.07, Final Exam,  8:00am, B25

May 6   – Tues

1380.08, Final Exam,  8:00am, B25