Course # / Title:

AET 3370 / STUDIO PRODUCTION II

Course Credit Hours:

3 CREDIT HOURS

Semester:

 SPRING 2009

Instructor:

TIMOTHY TAPPAN, B.S.; MEd.; EdD.

Instructor Contacts:

615.460.6290; tappant@mail.belmont.edu; http://coba.belmont.edu/fac/tappant

Instructor Office Hours:

W: 7am-8:30am; R: 7am-8:30am; F: 7am-8:30am

Class Location:

MSE 218

Meeting Time(s):

T&R 11am-12:15pm

Final Exam:

Monday, May 11 @ 11am

 

Course Description:

 

Prerequisite: AET 2370 and AET 3090. This course is an advanced study of the role of producer and the use of music production techniques required to create a master recording. Lab hours required.

 

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

 

¦  demonstrate organizational skills through the designing and budgeting of master recording sessions

¦  specify the details of pre-production tasks

¦  apply leadership techniques in the supervision and facilitation of master recording sessions

¦  create a commercial audio recording using both acoustic and electronic sources

¦  analyze and evaluate the musical and technical structure of commercial recordings

¦  communicate and articulate the production elements of commercial recordings

 

 

Performance Tasks:  During this course, the student will:

 

¦  construct a master recording budget, both on-card and off-card

¦  explicate production elements affecting sound quality

¦  communicate a technical and musical analysis of commercial recordings through written evaluations

¦  present a synopsis of various commercial productions through oral presentations

¦  identify and employ leadership skills pertinent to master audio recording

¦  describe technical and production characteristics of various eras and genres of commercial music production

¦  produce two commercial recordings

 

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

 

¦  homework assignments based on production-related subjects

¦  one-page reflections of discussions and lectures in class

¦  written evaluations of commercially successful recordings from different genres and eras

¦  oral presentations of written evaluations

¦  two master audio production projects

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

 

Activity

Credit

Description/Purpose

1.  Homework Assignments (3)

12 %

(120 points)

Based on reading assignments and in-class discussions, various homework assignments will assess the student’s understanding of the topic.

2.  Reflection Papers (4)

8 %

(80 points)

Based on reading assignments and in-class discussions, reflections will assess the impact of the subject matter on the framework of the student’s opinions and knowledge base.

3.  Chart Song Evaluations (10)

30%

(300 points)

Consist of multiple-page written submissions of production element analyses and accompanying oral presentations. CSEs will be presented individually and co-operatively.

4.  Recording Project I

20%

(200 points)

Consists of a DAW-based recording with synthesized or sampled sound sources as well as “live” performers. Material will consist of a remake of a well-known recording in a different manner or genre. Submission includes the original recording, the recording itself, and a written report detailing preproduction, implementation, mixing, and conclusions.

5. Recording Project II

20%

(200 points)

Consists of recording “live” performers (3 sessions). Material will consist of a song that has not been commercially released. Submission includes the recording itself along with a report detailing preproduction, implementation, mixing, and conclusions.

6. Final Exam

10%

(100 points)

A comprehensive test comprising essay questions that will measure the depth of the student’s knowledge base of audio production, the student’s ability to synthesize that knowledge with leadership skills, and the student’s ability to effectively articulate his/her responses.

 

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.

 

Materials:

 

Students will use handouts, trade magazines, and Internet-based resources as specified by the Instructor.

 

Grade Evaluation Scale:  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

 

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.

 

Class Schedule:

 

Date

 

Subject/Activity

Assignment

January   15

R

Class Orientation/Scrutinize Syllabus

 

20

T

Budgeting Audio Recording Sessions

 

22

R

Conclude Budget Discussion

“Judging Sound Quality”

Discussion & Handout

Homework #1 Due: Budget Assignment

27

T

Continue Discussion

Reflection #1 Due on “Sound Quality”

29

R

CSE #1 (Country Before 1960) Presentations

CSE #1 DUE

 

 

 

 

February   3

T

Discuss Website: “The Session”

 

5

R

Continue Discussion

 

10

T

CSE #2 (Country Between 1960-1980) Presentations

CSE #2 DUE

Reflection #2 Due on “The Session”

12

R

Listening Analysis Practices

 

17

T

CSE #3 (Country After 1980) Presentations

CSE #3 DUE

Reflection #3 Due on Listening Analysis

19

R

Comparison/Contrast Demo:Master Recording

 

24

T

CSE #4 (Pop/Rock Before 1960) Presentations

CSE #4 DUE

26

R

Production Career Paths

Discuss Career Paths of Successful Producers

Homework #2 Due: 2 Page Paper on Successful Producer’s Career Path

 

 

 

 

March       3

T

CSE #5 (Pop/Rock Between 1960-1980) Presentations

CSE #5 DUE

5

R

Project Preparation

 

10

T

SPRING BREAK

 

12

R

SPRING BREAK

 

17

T

PROJECT I PRESENTATIONS/EVALUATIONS

PROJECT I DUE

19

R

PROJECT I PRESENTATIONS/EVALUATIONS

PROJECT I DUE

24

T

CSE #6 (Pop/Rock After1980) Presentations

CSE #6 DUE

26

R

Leadership Skills Discussion & Handout

 

31

T

CSE #7 (R&B Before1970) Presentations

CSE #7 DUE

Reflection #4 Due on Leadership Skills

 

 

 

 

April         2

R

CSE #8 (Urban/Hip-Hop After1990) Presentations

CSE #8 DUE

7

T

Project Updates

 

9

R

EASTER BREAK

 

14

T

CSE #9 Anything

CSE #9 DUE

16

R

Discuss Trade Magazine Articles / Online Ads

Homework #3 Due: Trade Magazine Paper Due

21

T

CSE #10 Anything

CSE #10 DUE

23

R

Project Preparation

 

28

T

PROJECT II PRESENTATIONS/EVALUATIONS

PROJECT II DUE

30

R

PROJECT II PRESENTATIONS/EVALUATIONS

PROJECT II DUE

 

 

 

 

May          5

T

Class Wrap: Tie up lose ends; Discuss final

 

Final Exams:

 

AET 3370.01: Monday, May 11; 11am