Course # / Title:

AET 1380.08 (CRN 20148);  AET 1380.09  (CRN20149)
Survey of Recording Technology

Course Credit Hours:

3 hrs.

Semester:

Spring 2009

Instructor:

Mr. Michael Poston

Instructor Contacts:

(615) 883-8996, postonm@mail.belmont.edu, mike@epool.com

Instructor Office Hours:

9:30am – 5:00pm  M-F  -  615-883-8996

Class Location:

MCREMSB25 (Massey Center R.  E. Mulloy Studios, Room B25)

Meeting Time(s):

( 8:00-9:15pm TR )  ( 9:30-10:45 TR )

Final Exam:

CRN20148 : Thursday, May 7th, 2009, 8:00am (Room B25)
CRN20148 : Tuesday, May 12th, 2009, 8:00am (Room B25)

 

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 Outcomes:  At the end of this course the student will be able to:

ú         Identify and recall significant events and individuals that have influenced recording technology from 1844 to the present.

ú         Describe and implement basic procedures used in the recording process.

ú         Recognize and appraise differences in audio examples using critical listening skills.

ú         Apply and interpret a technical vocabulary.

ú         Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and basic skill manipulating entry-level professional recording equipment.

 

Performance Tasks:  During this course the student will:

ú          read audio related supplemental articles and web-linked assigned reading.

ú         associate recording devices, mediums, and their inventors chronologically in a historical timeline.

ú         categorize facts from the acoustic, electrical, and digital eras.

ú         identify microphone placement, characteristics, and micing techniques.

ú         describe the power of the dB.

ú         list characteristics of analog tape.

ú         explain how multi-track recording changed the production of music.

ú         explain the difference between a bit, byte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terrabyte.

ú         relate the Nyquist Theory to the vibration cycle of a waveform.

ú         list steps in the encoding and decoding of a digital signal.

ú         list current digital formats.

ú         explain the advantages of the digital workstation.

ú         explain how the ear works.

ú         describe the basic principles of auditory perception.

ú         identify the properties of sound and how it behaves in a room.

ú         plot differences in frequency and dB.

ú         calculate harmonics, wavelength, and octaves using frequency.

ú         differentiate the envelope of a sound from the life cycle of a sound.

ú         recognize the time difference between delay and reverb.

ú         recognize the effect of a signal that is in and out-of-phase.

ú         identify recording methods used during the recording process.

ú         describe how the phonautograph, phonograph, and the telegraphone work.

ú         recognize and explain the function of specific audio equipment used in the recording studio.

ú         practice signal flow.

ú         describe how the speaker works.

ú         describe how the tape recorder works.

ú         explain the basics of digital audio.

ú         calculate differences in bit word length, bandwidth of sample rates, and dynamic range.  

ú         identify digital and computer interfaces. 

ú         create a stereo mix from a pre-recorded 8 track multi-track project.

ú         create a final recording project using classroom equipment, or

ú         create a class presentation based on a product that demonstrates how technology is in a state of change.

 

Assessment Tools:  During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

ú         short answer quizzes and multiple-choice tests based on lectures, assigned readings, and class listening examples.

ú         written observations of studio recording sessions.

ú         completion of a collaborative mix project.

ú         completion of a collaborative final recording project or class presentation.

ú         a comprehensive written exam based on lectures, assigned readings, and listening.

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

Activity

Credit

Purpose/Description

1.  Quizzes                              (6 @ 10 pts each)

6 %

Based on reading assignments, lectures, and listening.  Quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge of the topic.  Quiz format is short answer or fill in the blank.

2.  Comprehensive Tests          (4 @ 100 pts each)

40 %

Based on reading assignments, lectures and listening.  Comprehensive tests will assess the depth of the student’s knowledge of the topic.  Each test is a series of multiple-choice questions.

3.  Written Observations        (4 @ 30 pts each)

12 %

A pre-formatted three-page report demonstrates the application of knowledge gained from observing (4) studio recording sessions. Grading is achieved by an observation rubric.

4. Mix Project

(100 pts)

10 %

A collaborative group mix project demonstrates the student’s ability to use classroom studio equipment.  Grading is achieved by a mix rubric.

5a. Final Recording Project

(120 pts)

 

A collaborative group recording project demonstrates the student’s ability to record a song using classroom studio equipment. Accompanied by a three-page report documenting procedure, the report and mix are graded using a final project rubric.

or

12%

 

5b. Class Presentation

(120 pts)

 

In lieu of a final recording project, students will present a 10min PPT presentation accompanied by a five-page report of a product that demonstrates how recording technology is changing. Paper must cite a minimum of (5) references and use MLA format.

6.  Final Exam

(200 pts)

20 %

A comprehensive test of multiple-choice questions and short answers is used to measure the student’s composite knowledge of topics covered from lectures, readings, equipment use, and listening.

 

Course & Classroom Policies:

 

Attendance & Participation:

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/undergrad2008jun/apolicy/index.html

Points (%) will be deducted from the final grade for unexcused absences.  1 absence, 1.5%; 2 absences, 3%;              3 absences,  4.5%;  4 absences,  6%;  5 absences,  7.5%; 6 absences, 9%; 7 absences, 10.5%; 8 absences, 12%; 9 absences, 13.5%; 10 absences, the student will be dropped from the class with a failing grade (WF).

Morning classes require that you adjust your time management so that you get adequate sleep the night before class.

 


Materials:

Audio in Media, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth.  (recommended if you can find used)                        

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

A 1380 Workbook will be available at the bookstore after Jan 21st.  All 1380 student will be required to purchase this workbook.  At the time of this syllabus, the cost has not been determined, but should be minimal.   

 

PLEASE NOTE: Audio in Media, 7th Edition is a recommended purchase and is no longer available from the publisher.  The BU bookstore carries the 8th edition which you are strongly encouraged to purchase if you cannot find a 7th edition used.  It is not recommended to purchase individual chapters online via ichapters.com because many 1380 students have experienced problems unlocking chapters after purchase.  The following chapters are covered in this course. 1) Ears, 2) Physics & Psychophysics, 3) Acoustics & Psychoacoustics,
4) Microphones,
     5) Consoles & Control Surfaces,
6) Recording, Analog / Digital, 8) Signal Processors,
9) Loudspeakers & Monitoring, and 13) Music Production. 

 

All students are expected to prepare and contribute to class discussions.  Specific class activities, lecture notes, reminders, and reviews are updated frequently using Blackboard, or the class website.   Additional class readings and website links are available on the class website. http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET1380/. 

 

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 PPT lecture notes (available for print via the class webpage) will require an organized binder.  A #2 pencil will be needed for quizzes and multiple-choice tests.  Observation of four recording sessions at designated intervals with detailed reports will be required.   Additionally, all students will complete a collaborative mix project, a final recording project, or a class presentation.   This class covers a lot of information and relies heavily on a building blocks approach.  Missing class or lectures will severely hinder your ability to grasp the subject matter in the following class.   I also expect self-starters and curiosity seekers, or those that will seek out additional information of the current subject matter to help further their understanding.   I enjoy helping people that want to be helped – there are no bad questions – PARTICIPATE!

 

Grade Evaluation:  As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:

 

Grade

Percent (GPA)

A

94 (4.0)

A-

90 (3.7)

B+

87 (3.3)

B

84 (3.0)

B-

80 (2.7)

C+

77 (2.3)

C

74 (2.0)

C-

70 (1.7)

Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major.

D+

67

D

64

D-

60

F

< 60

 

Keep in mind that I DON’T give grades.  I write down what you EARN. 

 

All test dates are noted in the class schedule.  Quizzes may be unannounced.  No makeup tests or quizzes will be given.  The final test is a comprehensive exam.  Test dates may be subject to change with exception of the final exam.  No electronic devices of any kind maybe used during exams.  Opportunity to earn extra credit in the amount of 4% may be given during the semester and added to your final grade.

 

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 sees 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.

 

 

 

Class Schedule Summary: 

 

Key Dates

Activity

Jan 15 – Thurs

Introduction

Jan 19 – Mon

MLK Day – NO CLASS

Feb. 5 – Thurs

TEST #1 & Observation # 1 Due

Mar. 3 - Tues

Mix Lab CD Due

Mar. 5 – Thurs

TEST #2 & Observation # 2 Due

Mar.  9-13 – Mon -Fri

SPRING BREAK

Apr. 7  – Tue

TEST #3 & Observation # 3 Due

Apr. 9-12 - Thurs

EASTER Break

Apr. 30 – Thurs

TEST #4 & Observation # 4 Due

May 5 – Tue

Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due

May 7 – Thurs
May 12 - Tues

Final Exam 8:00am  B25 – CRN 20148
Final Exam 8:00am  B25 – CRN 20149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE

ACTIVITY

ASSIGNMENT

1

Th

Jan 15

Introduction

Syllabus, Class website

-

M

Jan 19

MLK – NO CLASS                                          

America On Record-Acoustic Era ;

2

T

Jan 20

Where did recording begin?  Overview; Why is learning about technology important?  The Birth of Recording (handout)

listening, observation examples ; Listening, Reading – AOR

3

Th

Jan 22

Historical Perspective 1844-1937, Intro & Keys to Understanding the Future (handouts) Acoustic vs. Electrical Recording, Edison vs. Berliner

Recording timeline, listening; Listening, CHAPTER 1: The Ear

4

T

Jan 27

How do we hear?  Intro to Mix Project

CH 1 PPT notes, spectrum tutorial; Reading – AOR Reading

5

Th

Jan 29

What do we hear? Investigation of spectrum, let’s do the wave, loudness, the dB,  SPL

CHAPTER 2: Physics & Psychophysics of Sound; Reading – AOR

6

T

Feb 3

Makeup of sound; frequency, Hertz, harmonics, How does sound behave? Equal Loudness Principle, What would ALF do? Mix lab review                            

CH 2 PPT Notes, tones tutorial Loudness Perception Demos, Test Review #1

7

Th

Feb 5

TEST #1 -  Observation Report#1 Due

America On Record-Electrical Era ;
CHAPTER 3: Acoustics & Psychoacoustics

8

T

Feb 10

Signal Flow Icons, Signal Path of 20’s & 30’s; Life Cycle of a Sound, Difference between echo & reverb, Precedence Effect

CH 3 PPT notes, Reverb Patent;
Reading – AOR

9

Th

Feb 12

Is it live or dead? Acoustics of a Room, Sound isolation & studio construction

Listening ; CHAPTER 4: Microphones

10

T

Feb 17

Types of Microphones; History &Use, historical perspective 1937-1940s

CH 4 PPT notes; Reading – AOR

11

Th

Feb 19

Microphone characteristics; How they work, What do they hear?  Basic microphone techniques  ;  Recording Project basics

CHAPTER 13: Music Production ; CH 13 PPT notes, Mic tutorials; Reading – AOR

12

T

Feb 24

Recording Techniques/Process to the Mid 40s   Recording Process Late 1940s,

Listening; CHAPTER 5: Mixers & Consoles

13

Th

Feb 26

Early consoles ; The origin of the console, channel strip components, mix lab tutorial

CH 5 PPT notes ; Reading – AOR

14

T

Mar 3

Mix Lab CD Due ;  Difference between an aux send & insert;                           Consoles cont. Recording Techniques/Process 50s - 60's, Early Stereo ;Test Review,


 Test Review #2

15

Th

Mar 5

TEST #2 -  Observation Report#2 Due  /  Mid-Term

CHAPTER 6: Analog Recording   Birth of the LP (handout)

-

MF

Mar 9-13

SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

 

16

T

Mar 17

History of the Tape Recorder, Recording techniques of the 1960's

CH 6 PPT notes, Listening, CH 6 Supplement Listening,  CHAPTER 8: Signal Processing

17

Th

Mar 19

Signal Processing – EQ, Dyn, Delay, Echo, Flanging & Phasing
Recording Project review

CH 8 PPT notes; Reading – AOR

18

T

Mar 24

Les Paul “Chasing Sound” – video Part 1

Listening

19

Th

Mar 26

Les Paul “Chasing Sound” - video  Part 2    

, Listening

20

T

Mar 31

Review, NPR 100 Beach Boys "Good Vibrations"  Recording Project review    Test Review, “The Making of Sgt Pepper” – video, worksheet (handout)

CHAPTER 9: Loudspeakers & Monitoring; Test Review #3

21

Th

Apr 2

Loudspeakers/Monitoring; General Considerations

CH 9 PPT notes; Reading – AOR

22

T

Apr 7

TEST #3 - Observation Report #3 Due

CHAPTER 6: Digital Recording ;America On Record-Digital Era;   Time to plan & complete final recording project

 

Th

Apr 9

EASTER BREAK –NO CLASS

 

23

T

Apr 14

Intro to Digital Audio – sampling & quantization, Nyquist theory ;Meet the Bits & Bytes; Mega, Giga & Tera, the digital process, to dither or not to dither…

CH 6 PPT notes, Supplemental PPT notes online

24

Th

Apr 16

Digital Tape, DASH, R-DAT, MDM’s, ADAT, Digital interfaces, jitter, wordclock

Supplemental PPT notes, Listening

25

T

Apr 21

Instrument & Computer interfaces, CD & CD-R basics ; History of the MP3, Data compression, The DVD ; DVD-A, & SACD – where are they? Surround sound, DTS, Dolby Digital ;

Supplemental PPT notes; Reading – AOR

26

Th

Apr 23

The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – advantages & disadvantages, Plugins vs. hardware, Demo

Listening, Supplemental PPT notes; Reading – AOR

 

T

Apr 28

 

 

27

Th

Apr 30

TEST #4 - Observation Report #4 Due,

Listening, Supplemental PPT notes, Test Review #4

28

T

May 5

Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due, Test Review & Final Exam Review

Complete final recording project report ; Finish strong! Study for final exam

29

Th

May 7

Final Exam – CRN 20148 - 8:00am B25

Have a Great Summer!!

29

T

May 12

Final Exam – CRN 20149 - 8:00am B25