Course # / Title:

CRN 20345, AET 4380.01 -  The Recording Engineer

Semester:

Spring 2008

Instructor:

Jeff Balding

Instructor Contacts:

baldingj@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

 By appointment

Course Credit:

 3 credit hours

Class Location:

Ocean Way Studio, Studio C

Meeting Time(s):

Tuesday  6:30 pm – 9:15 pm and other times as required

Final Exam:

 May 6, 2008, Ocean Way Studio C, 6:30 pm

 

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 3090, and three hours from AET 3190, AET 3370, AET 4400, or AET 3560, and permission of instructor. A study of the many roles of the modern recording engineer. Topics include studio ownership and management, clients, unions, current tax laws, and the impact of electronic and acoustic innovations and patents. Research project and lab hours required

 

Course Learning Outcomes:  Students will:

 

Performance Criteria:  The student should be able to:

ú         Plan and write an assigned research project related to a career business plan.

ú         Present the project to the class in a 15-minute presentation.

ú         Organize and keep a weekly journal.

ú         Investigate and prepare pertinent questions for guest speakers.

ú         Effectively communicate in the classroom and in the studio environment.

 

 

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:

 

1.  Attendance: Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted. The format of this course demands that you attend all classes. This course is structured on a tight schedule and class time is devoted to important information and activities. Therefore, you must be on time each class period.  In the case of an extreme emergency you must contact me prior to class.  Absences and/or tardiness will affect your grade.

 

2.  Materials: Journal, other materials.

 

3.  Assignments: You will be required to complete an assigned research project, which may include a demo reel.  You will be required to keep a weekly class journal.  Journals are to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point standard font.  You will be required to research and prepare questions for guest speakers. 

 

4.  Testing: The class will include a mid term and final exam that will cover basic principles covered throughout the semester.  Additional testing during the semester should be expected.

 

5.  Presentation:  You will give a 15-minute presentation of your research project. Refer to schedule.

 

Credit will be given for:

 

Task

Percent (%)

1. Journal

10

2. Midterm exam

10

3. Research project

30

4. Final exam

15

5. Quizzes

10

6. Class attendance

10

7. Participation

15

 

 

5.  Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin (100-97 = A+, 96-93 = A, 92-90 = A-, 89-87 = B+, 86-83 = B, 82-80 = B-, 79-77 = C+, 76-73 = C, 72-70 = C-, 69-67 = D+, 66-63 = D, 62-60 = D-, < 60 = F).

 

Grades will be determined by the criteria list above.  One day absent drops the attendance grade by 25%, two days by 50%, three days by 75% and four days by 100%.

 

6.  Class Schedule Summary: 

 

Key Dates

Activity

Jan 15 - Tues

Introductions

Jan 22 - Tues

Creating a game plan

Jan 29 - Tues

An engineer’s story

Guest speaker

Feb 5 - Tues

The nuts & bolts of engineering: invoicing, PO’s, rates, delivery requirements.

Guest speaker

Feb 12 - Tues

Tax laws, bookkeeping

Guest speaker: CPA

Feb 19 - Tues

Studio ownership and management

Guest speaker

Feb 26 - Tues

Midterm Exam

Rough draft of research project due: will meet with each student during class for 10 minute review of draft.

Mar 4 - Tues

Interacting with the artist, producer and musicians

Guest speaker

Mar 11 - Tues

Marketing yourself and career focus:  What’s your target?

Mar 18 - Tues

Assistant engineering & editing

Guest speaker

Mar 20 - 30 R/S

EASTER & SPRING BREAK!!!

Apr 1 - Tues

Control room behavior, attitudes and expectations

Apr 8 - Tues

Analyze acoustical situations

Apr 15 - Tues

Analyze acoustical situations

Apr 22 - Tues

Turn in Journal: typed hard copy

Presentation of 6 research projects

Apr 29 - Tues

Presentation of 6 research projects

Review & discussion

May 6 - Tues

Final Exam, Ocean Way Studio C, 6:30 pm

           

scheduled topics & guest speakers are subject to change