Syllabus_Template

Course # / Title:	AET 3090 Audio Engineering 1
Semester:	Spring 2008
Instructor:	Luke Gilfeather
Instructor Contacts:	615-242-5167 gilfeathera@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	Monday – Friday 10AM – 3:30PM
Course Credit:	3
Class Location:	RCA Studio B, 1611 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203 RCA-B Office: 615-242-5167 http://campus.belmont.edu/rcastudiob/
Meeting Time(s):	3090.01: Tue-Thu: 8am - 9:15am
Final Exam:	3090.01: Thursday, 5/1/08, 8am

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: 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.

Course Learning Outcomes:

The student will demonstrate:

an understanding of basic electronic audio signal flow in the recording studio
an appropriate competency of studio microphone techniques
an appropriate competency with studio outboard equipment including spectral, dynamic, and time processors
proper recording session procedures for tracking, overdubbing, and mixing sessions
the applied skills and knowledge of a competent assistant engineer
an ability to function effectively in small groups
an ability to identify, analyze and solve technical problems
an ability to communicate effectively
an understanding of the recording process used at RCA Studio B in the late 1950s and early 1960s

Performance Criteria:

Students will:

prepare a recording studio for a recording session, overdub session, and mix session.
assist and observe recording sessions and compose individual session logs.
assemble and organize relevant session data into industry standard project documentation
describe the audio presentation of a professionally recorded song by composing a written report.
assess the quality of audio and recording techniques by using critical listening skills
synthesize outcomes by completing assigned recording projects.
complete practical examinations to demonstrate their applied knowledge and skills in the recording studio.
complete written examinations to demonstrate knowledge gained from lectures, readings, and assignments.

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. After four total absences, a student’s final grade will be reduced by 5%. After six total absences, the student’s final grade will be reduced 10%. After eight total absences, the student will be removed from the class roster and withdrawn from the class with a grade of WF. Absences are excused at the discretion of the instructor.

Cell Phones: Cell phones must be powered off during class and lab. Any use of a cell phone during class will result in an unexcused absence for that day.

B. Materials:

Audio Engineering 1 Workbook by Bulla, Janas, and Prince (latest edition)

Audio in Media by Stanley R. Alten (8^th Edition)

Understanding Audio: Getting the Most Out of Your Project or Professional Recording Studio by Daniel Thompson

Blank CD-rs, jewel cases

Notebook for Session Logbook

C. Assignments:

Written Assignments:

1. Assistant Engineering Assignment.

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

b. 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.

2. Individual Session Log: Each student will keep a logbook containing a description of every session on which they are the engineer or assistant. The description will describe the recording techniques and procedures used during the session, including equipment used and its application during the session.

3. Labs: Labs are hands-on activities with small groups of students in the studio. Credit for lab participation is based on individual attendance and participation.

4. Studio Recording Projects:

� Project 1: Feb 5-11; due Feb 12. Lab Tape Mix 1.

Student will have 1 hour to mix a song from the lab tape using only faders, pans, and mutes. Student will mix from both the channel side and the monitor side of the API console to Pro Tools. Student will have an assistant engineer to document console settings. Student will submit a CD of mix with proper documentation.

� Project 2: Feb 12-18; due Feb 19. Lab Tape Mix 2.

Student will have 1 hour to match a mix a specified song from the lab tape using only faders, pans, and mutes (the mix to be matched is printed on tracks 15-16). Student will mix from the channel side of the API console to Pro Tools. Student will have an assistant engineer to document console settings. Student will submit a CD of mix with proper documentation.

� Project 3: Feb 19 - Mar 3; due Mar 4. Small Recording Session.

Student Team (2 engineers) will have 3 hours to record and mix a song using 8 tracks or less. Student Team will have an assistant engineer to document console settings. Student Team will submit a CD of mix with proper documentation.

� Project 4: Mar 4-17; due Mar 18. Large Recording Session.

Student Team (2 engineers) will have 3 hours to record a song using up to 16 tracks. Student Team will have an assistant engineer to document console settings. Student Team will submit a CD of a rough mix with proper documentation.

� Project 5: April 2-27; due April 29. Large Mixing Session.

Student will have 3 hours to record and mix the song they tracked during the Large Recording Session. Student will have an assistant engineer to document console settings. Student will submit a CD and 1/4" copy of mix with proper documentation.

5. Assistant Engineer Sessions: In order to gain hands-on experience students are required to serve as an Assistant Engineer on sessions in any Belmont University studio, with a minimum of twenty (20) hours of assisting. Credit for assisting is given on an hourly basis. Each assistant hour will receive a credit of 5 points. Credit hours will be logged via the CMB Studio Invoice database system. Students must be properly booked on the session and sign the invoice at the end of the session in order to receive credit. If two (2) assistants serve one session, each assistant will receive 1/2 credit.

D. Testing: 3 written examinations, 2 practical examinations, 1 final examination. See class schedule for dates. No make-up exams will be given. Students can only be excused from an exam with proper notification from the provost. In the case of excused, missed exams; the other exams percentages will be adjusted accordingly.

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

ITEM DESCRIPTION	PERCENTILE CREDIT (% of 100 points)
Written Assignments	5%
Class Attendance & Participation	10%
Lab Attendance & Participation	5%
3 Written Exams (5% each)	15%
2 Practical Exams (10% each)	10%
Written Final Exam	10%
Studio Recording Projects	30%
Assistant Engineer Sessions	5%

Spring 2008 Class Schedule

Date	Class Topic	Readings	Lab Topic	Assignments
1/10	Class Overview	Lab: pp1-5.3	No lab
1/15	Studio Components & Basic Signal Flow	UA: Ch 1-2 Lab: p36	Session Setup
1/17	Signal Flow: Symbols	UA: Ch 3 Lab: pp17-18
1/22-24	Console Signal Flow & Architecture	UA: Ch 4, p261 Lab: pp35-47 AIM: pp95-108	No lab
1/29	Session Documentation for Projects 1-3 Basic Acoustics	UA: Ch 5 AIM: Ch 1 Lab: pp 9-15.8	Signal Flow & PT ops	Begin: Asst Engr Assignment
1/31	Basic Audio & Electrical Theory	UA: Ch 6
2/5	Advanced Audio & Electrical Theory	UA: Ch 7 Lab: pp 18-22, 27-34	Mic Lab: Vocals & Ac. Gtr	Due: Asst Engr Begin: Project 1
2/7	Written Test 1
2/12	Practical Exam 1		Mic Lab: Piano	Due: Project 1 Begin: Project 2
2/14	Microphone Design & Operating Principles	UA: pp14-22 AIM: pp 58-66, 84-94 Lab: pp 71-87
2/19	Mic Techniques: Vocals & Acoustic Gtr	AIM: Ch 15 UA: pp 218-221	Mic Lab: Amps	Due: Project 2 Begin: Project 3
2/21	Mic Techniques: Piano	Same as 2/19
2/26	Mic Techniques: Amplified Inst	Same as 2/19	Mic Lab: Drums
2/28	Mic Techniques: Drums	Same as 2/19
3/4	Session Documentation for Projects 4-5 Spectral Processing	AIM: pp 151-154 Lab: pp 101-112	Spectral Processors	Due: Project 3 Begin: Project 4
3/6	Dynamic Processing – Compression & Limiting	UA: pp 24-25 AIM: pp 161-165 Lab: pp 112-129
3/11	Dynamic Processing – Expansion & Gating	UA: pp 24-25 AIM: pp 161-165 Lab: pp 112-129	Dynamic Processors
3/13	Time Processing	AIM: pp 154-160 Lab: pp 130-134
3/18	Written Test 2		Time Processors	Due: Project 4, Session Logbooks
3/20-30	Spring Break		No Lab
4/1-3	Loudspeakers & Monitoring	AIM: Ch 3 Lab: p135 UA: Ch 10	Tape Editing	Return: Session Logbooks Begin: Project 5
4/8-10	Decibels & Operating Level	UA: Ch 8-9 AIM:pp 4-6, 11-13 Lab: pp 22-26	Tape Editing
4/15	Operating Level & Gain Stage	UA: Ch 11-12	Analog Cal
4/17	Analog Recording	UA: Ch 13 Lab: pp 88-91
4/22	Digital Recording	UA: Ch 14	Practical Review
4/24	Written Test 3
4/29	Course Recap - Final Exam Review		No Lab	Due: Project 5, Session Logbooks