Course # / Title:	CRN 20281, AET 1380.06 - Survey of Recording Technology
Semester:	Spring, 2008
Instructor:	Mr. Dan Wujcik, Instructor, B.S., M.M., Program Coordinator, AET
Instructor Contacts:	(615) 460-5625, wujcikd@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	9:00-10:00am MWF, 11:00am-12:00pm TR – by appointment
Course Credit:	3 hrs
Class Location:	Center for Music Business, MC 200A, Massey B25
Meeting Time(s):	3:00-3:50pm MWF
Final Exam:	Friday, May 2^nd, 2008, 5:00pm MC 200A, Massey B25

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:  Students will:

ú identify major historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance

ú recognize key figures and describe how their contributions influenced the production of music

ú learn and apply a technical language for use within the music business industry

ú formulate a timeline of recording devices developed and the mediums used

ú examine how audio recording devices work

ú listen and assess the quality of audio recordings and identify recording methods used

ú observe recording sessions and apply course concepts

ú demonstrate basic signal flow

Performance Criteria: The student should be able to:

• 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 the steps in encoding and decoding of a digital signal
• explain differences in current digital formats
• identify digital and computer interfaces 
• list advantages of the digital workstation
• create an 8-track mix from a pre-recorded multi-track project
• create a final recording project using classroom equipment, or
• create a class presentation of 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.  http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/index.html

B.  Materials:  Audio in Media, 7^th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth. 

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

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

C.  Assignments:  All students are expected to prepare and contribute to class discussions.  Specific class activities, topics, lecture notes, reminders, and reviews are updated weekly using Blackboard.  Additional class readings and website links are available on the class website link noted above.  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 lectures on powerpoint require an organized class notebook/binder.  Observation of four 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) using classroom equipment, or prepare a collaborative presentation.

D.  Testing:  All test dates are noted in the class schedule. Quizzes are unannounced.  No makeup tests or 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.

                               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 5 @ 10 points each                        =      50 Points    5%

                               RCA-B Virtual Tour                                     =      30 Points    3%

                               Final Project or Presentation                        =    120 Points   12%

                               Final Exam                                                 =    190 Points   19%

                                                                                  TOTAL  =   1,000 Points  100%

E.  Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin. 

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

An opportunity to earn extra credit in the total amount of 3% added to your cumulative average is given twice during the semester.

Class Schedule Summary: 

Key Dates	Activity
Jan 9 – Wed	Introduction
Jan 21 – Mon	MLK HOLIDAY
Feb 4 – Mon	TEST #1 & Observation # 1 Due
Feb 25 - Mon	TEST #2 & Observation # 2 Due
Feb 27 - Wed	Mix Lab CD Due
Mar 19 – Wed	TEST #3 & Observation # 3 Due
Mar 20 - 30 R/S	EASTER & SPRING BREAK!!!
Apr 23 - Wed	TEST #4 & Observation # 4 Due
Apr 28 – Mon	Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due
May 2 – Fri	Final Exam 5:00pm  B25

Date	Activity	Of Interest
9-Jan	Introduction	Syllabus, Blackboard, Class website, MELE program
11-Jan	Overview; Why is learning about technology important?	Mix lab basics
14-Jan	The birth of recording – where did this begin? (handout) America On Record-Acoustic Era	Welcome MELE partners, BOR worksheet, listening
16-Jan	Historical Perspective 1844-1937, Intro & Keys to Understanding the Future (handouts)	recording timeline, listening
18-Jan	Acoustic vs Electronic Recording, Edison vs. Berliner, Mix lab tutorial	Listening
21-Jan	Martin Luther King Day - No Class	CHAPTER 1: The Ear, observation examples
21-Jan	How do we hear? Mix lab review	CH 1 PPT notes, spectrum tutorial
23-Jan	What do we hear? (or want to hear)	CHAPTER 2: Physics & Psychophysics of Sound
25-Jan	Investigation of spectrum, let’s do the wave, loudness, the dB,  SPL	CH 2 PPT Notes, tones tutorial
28-Jan	The physical makeup of sound; frequency, Hertz, harmonics	Listening
30-Jan	How does sound behave or misbehave? Loudness Perception             TTAE Due	Listening demos
1-Feb	Equal Loudness Principle, What would ALF do? Mix lab review	Test Review #1
4-Feb	TEST #1 -  Observation Report#1 Due,	CHAPTER 3: Acoustics & Psychoacoustics
6-Feb	Signal Flow Icons, Signal Path of 20’s & 30’s  America On Record-Electrical Era	CH 3 PPT notes, Reverb Patent
8-Feb	Life Cycle of a Sound, Difference between echo & reverb, Precedence Effect	Listening
11-Feb	Is it live or dead? Acoustics of a Room, Sound isolation & studio construction	CHAPTER 4: Microphones
13-Feb	Types of Microphones; History &Use, historical perspective 1937-1940s	CH 4 PPT notes
15-Feb	How they work, What do they hear?  Recording Project basics	CHAPTER 13: Music Production
18-Feb	Microphone characteristics	CH 13 PPT notes, Mic tutorials
20-Feb	Basic microphone techniques                                                                TTEE Due	Listening
22-Feb	Recording Techniques/Process to the Mid 40s	Test Review #2
25-Feb	TEST #2 -  Observation Report#2 Due                             America On Record-Digital Era	CHAPTER 5: Mixers & Consoles
27-Feb	Mix Lab CD Due Test Review, Recording Process Late 1940s, Early consoles	CH 5 PPT notes
29-Feb	Channel strip components, Birth of the LP (handout)	Listening, BOLP worksheet
3-Mar	Difference between an aux send & insert , BOLP review, Recording Project review	CHAPTER 6: Analog Recording
5-Mar	Recording Techniques/Process 50s - 60's, Stereo	CH 6 PPT notes, Listening
7-Mar	History of the Tape Recorder	CH 6 Supplement PPT notes
10-Mar	Les Paul “Chasing Sound” - video	CHAPTER 8: Signal Processing
12-Mar	Signal Processing - Delay, Echo, Flanging & Phasing	CH 8 PPT notes
14-Mar	Recording techniques of the 1960's, early stereo                                  TTDE Due	Listening
17-Mar	Review, NPR 100 Beach Boys "Good Vibrations"  Recording Project review	NPR Top 100 Songs, Listening, Test Review #3
19-Mar	TEST #3 - Observation Report #3 Due	Time to plan & complete final recording project
20-30Mar	Easter  & Spring Break  - No Class	Time to chill!!!
31-Mar	Test Review, “The Making of Sgt Pepper” – video, worksheet (handout)	CHAPTER 9: Loudspeakers & Monitoring
2-Apr	Loudspeakers/Monitoring--General Considerations	CHAPTER 6: Digital Recording
4-Apr	Digital Audio Intro – sampling & quantization, Nyquist theory	CH 6 PPT notes, Supplemental PPT notes online
7-Apr	Meet the Bits & Bytes; Mega, Giga & Tera, the digital process, to dither or not to dither…	Supplemental PPT notes, Listening
9-Apr	Digital Tape, DASH, R-DAT, MDM’s, ADAT, Digital interfaces,jitter, wordclock	Supplemental PPT notes
11-Apr	Instrument & Computer interfaces, CD & CD-R basics	Listening, Supplemental PPT notes
14-Apr	History of the MP3, Data compression, The DVD	Listening, Supplemental PPT notes
16-Apr	DVD-A, & SACD – where are they? Surround sound, DTS, Dolby Digital	Listening, Supplemental PPT notes
18-Apr	The Digital Audio Workstation – advantages & disadvantages, Plugins vs. hardware	Listening, Supplemental PPT notes
21-Apr	DAW Demo	Listening, Test Review #4
23-Apr	TEST #4 - Observation Report #4 Due	Complete final recording project report
25-Apr	Review, Sample Final	Organize all notes and finish strong!
28-Apr	Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due, Final Review	Study for final exam
2-May	Final Exam – 5:00pm B25	Time to wrap up!