BELMONT UNIVERSITY
MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC BUSINESS
AET 3190.30 AUDIO ENGINEERING II
Summer Semester 2007
Instructor: Billy W. Prince
Contact: princeb@mail.belmont.edu
Office: CMB B-1A Phone 460-5553
Credit/Class
location: 3 Hours/Center for Music Business, Massey B07
Class
Times: Mon/Wed 9:30 AM 10:50 AM
Lab
time(s): Tue/Thur 9:30 AM -
11:00 AM
Class
Webpage: Blackboard (formerly Web CT) Access using your BIC account.
Educational
Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music: 1) To provide a personalized career-oriented and practical
educational program in Music Business administration emphasizing the four
themes of leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and
entrepreneurship. 2) To equip students
with the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and make
enlightened judgments about their environment. 3) To emphasize quality
classroom instruction within the parameters of caring, Christian principles.
Course
Description: AET 3190 Audio Engineering
II (3) Prerequisite: AET 3090 and
permission of instructor. A continuation of AET 3090, this course is
an accelerated study and use of perpetual components found in the modern
recording studio complex. Topics include advanced signal flow and console
operations, central patchbay functions, advanced stereo miking techniques,
effective use of iso- booths and recording space, analog tape machine
calibration, tape machine operations (analog and digital), computer-based
digital recording and editing, transfers (analog, digital & network),
synchronization, advanced signal processing, automated console operations, and
the role of the audio engineer. Emphasis is placed on the development of consistent
audio perception skills characteristic of the successful recording engineer.
Lab hours required. ($30.00 course fee)
As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty,
staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences
will be free of behaviors, which compromise value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the
University has adopted an Honor System.
Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal
conditions for honorable academic work.
Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:
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.
Learning Outcomes: The student will demonstrate:
An appropriate mastery of
the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of the audio engineering
discipline;
An ability to apply current
knowledge and adapt to emerging applications of mathematics, science, engineering,
and technology;
An ability to conduct,
analyze and interpret experiments, and apply experimental results to improve
processes;
An ability to apply
creativity in the design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to
program objectives;
An ability to function
effectively on teams;
An ability to identify,
analyze and solve technical problems;
An ability to communicate
effectively;
A recognition of the need
for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
An ability to understand
professional, ethical and social responsibilities;
A respect for diversity and
a knowledge of contemporary professional, societal and global issues
A commitment to quality,
timeliness, and continuous improvement
An appreciation for the
arts, humanities, religion, social sciences, and natural sciences;
An awareness of the complex
nature of the world around them and become engaged with that larger whole.
Performance Criteria: Students will:
Identify and differentiate
the components of the NEVE (Studio A), SSL (Studio B), and Mackie (Studio C)
consoles explaining their function;
Identify and contrast the
internal patch bays of the NEVE (Studio A), SSL (Studio B), and Mackie (Studio
C) consoles explaining their function;
Examine the purpose and
function of the central patch bay system;
Perform an accurate
calibration of the Studer 827 analog tape machine and explain the significance
of proper bias setting;
Apply advanced stereo
distant miking techniques using condenser microphones;
Demonstrate the use of Pro
Tools as a multi-track tape machine by:
Creating session files,
Transferring tracks/files
between formats used, Recording, managing, and creating backup files,
Transferring files over the
network;
Demonstrate a knowledge of
SMPTE chase lock by synchronizing a digital transfer;
Demonstrate mixing back
into ProTools and Nuendo, normalizing, and bounce to disk.
Demonstrate basic
automation functions using Flying Faders (Neve console), and Ultimation (SSL
console).
Demonstrate a knowledge of
the parameters and function of a compressor, limiter, gate, and expander,
internally by use of the console, and externally, by use of available outboard
gear.
Demonstrate advanced
dynamic processing by creating external keying, ducking, and de-essing.
Develop a basic understanding
of sound localization, spatial processing, binaural hearing, Jeffress's neural
model of auditory psychoacoustics, sound in an enclosed space, the precedence
effect and echo suppression processing, the duplex theory, and Mill's minimum
audible angle (MAA) units.
Demonstrate an advanced
knowledge of the use of reverb, delay, and special effects by applying proper
optimization of the effect send and return.
Describe how developments
in recording technology have influenced trends in business.
Define, interpret, and
apply a technical language for use within the music business industry.
Assess the quality of
audio, and recording techniques developed using critical listening skills.
Create two recording
projects that confirm the use of gained knowledge, require individual hands-on
experience, and synthesize quality audio recording principles.
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 Tammye Tanksley, Director of Counseling & Developmental Support in
the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.
Course
Requirements:
Text &
Materials: 1) Current edition of the Audio
Engineering 2 Workbook (New Frontier Publishing). 2) Current edition of Audio
in Media (7th Ed.) by Stanley R. Alten (Wadsworth Publishing Co.). You are responsible for all
information contained in the workbook and other readings as assigned. A class notebook/binder & 3-hole puncher
is recommended. 3) Recording supplies: 2-inch analog master tape (furnished); A
DVD Ram data storage disk for backup of RADAR recording; blank CD-Rs; and
misc. 3.5 inch computer disk(s) as needed.
A CD label will be required for identifying your final project.* Although not required, an external USB
2.0/firewire drive, or a USB flash drive is recommended for personal backup of
your projects. The alternative to a hard
drive or flash drive, is to back up on DVD-R or CD-R disks. You are responsible for backing up your
projects !!!!
*If you wish, you may use a printable CD.
Attendance: As per current Undergraduate
Bulletin at:
http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/index.html
Participation
and Prepared assignments:
You are expected to:
show a sincere effort of co-operation, participation, and self application
during this course of study; read assigned and recommended text and handouts;
and fully complete ALL class, lab, homework, and project assignments.
You are required to engineer two
recording projects.
(A) Three sessions comprising (1) a 2-inch 30 ips analog
Tracking Session in Studio A, Transferred to ProTools (24bit 88.2kHz) for
overdubs (2) to be done in Studio C. (3) Mixed through the NEVE console to two
tracks in ProTools , Normalized and bounced to disk, stereo interleaved 44.1
kHz 16 bit, And saved on the Record Drive of the Mac In Studio A, Due Monday, July 16, With All Documentation of Project #1. Immediately following the initial tracking session
of your song, you must complete a stereo 2 mix and record it back to tape as a cue
reference for your overdubs (tracks 23 & 24). You must also burn a CD of this mix to the
Alesis Masterlink, or the HHB burner. This CD is due to be turned
in, the first
class following your tracking session. Then Transfer your tracks to ProTools. This
MUST be done at this time
**An Additional Handout will be provided on Recording procedure for
both projects.
(B) Three sessions comprising (1) Tracking on Radar in
studio A and backed up on a DVD RAM disk. (2) Session to be uploaded from DVD
RAM disk to hard drive in studio B. Overdubs and, (3) Mix to be done in Studio
B on the SSL console, and mixed to Two tracks in NUENDO, Normalized, and exported as a stereo mix-down
.wav file (stereo interleaved 16 bit
44.1 KHz), and stored on the Studio B internal Project Drive. Using Toast CD
Burning software, make a CD containing project 1 and project 2
respectively. (Due
Wednesday August 1st along with all supporting
documentation of Project #2) Be sure your CD label contains all required
information.
Assistant Sessions: In order to gain
hands-on experience, you are required to serve as assistant engineer for
recording sessions in the CMB studios. Every assistant hour will receive a
credit of 6.25 points. Bonus credit may
be earned by completion of more than 16 assistant hours. Each hour of assisting above 16 will earn 5
bonus points up to a maximum of 120 points.
Credit hours will be logged via the CMB Studio Invoice database
system. You must be properly booked on
the session and sign the invoice at the end of the session in order to receive
credit. Each session will have 1 required assistant, and may also have 1
optional assistant. On Pjt 1, AE2 students are the required assistant on the
Tracking & Mixing sessions, and also may have an optonal AE1
assistant. Pjt. 1 overdubs are required
to use an AE1 assistant. On pjt 2, an
AE1 Assistant is required for tracking, And AE2 for overdubs & mixing. (This is also noted on the session work
order). Audio 2
students will receive first 3 calls to assist on all non-class projects.
Lab Sessions: In order to gain experience with specific
tasks, you are required to participate in various lab sessions. Credit for lab participation is based on lab
hours completed. Each lab session will
earn 10 points. Bonus credit may be earned by completion of more than 10
labs. Lab sessions are scheduled on
Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:30 11 AM. The class may be split for Labs,
half on Tuesday, and half on Thursday, in order to keep numbers of students for
lab at a minimum, to ensure maximum hands-on practice.
Testing: There will be a Mid-Term , Final Exam and 2 quizzes.
Mid-Term and Final will be comprehensive and inclusive of all class
content and assigned reading material covered to that date. Quizzes will occur on week 4 and week 12. NO "MAKE-UP" TESTS.
Basis of
final grade evaluation: Scale as per current Undergraduate
Bulletin, (Vol. 50).
|
Item |
Credit Percentile (%) |
|
1. Quizzes (2) |
5 |
|
2. Mid Term Exam
Written
7.5 |
|
|
Practical |
5 |
|
Document Check |
2.5 |
|
3.
Recording projects (2) 10% each (Grade
based on technical aspects of the project, not the music or musical
performance) |
20 |
|
5.
Labs |
20 |
|
6.
Assistant Sessions |
15 |
|
7.
Final Exam Written |
15 |
|
8.
Final Exam Practical |
10 |
Audit
Students:
As per the current Belmont
University Bulletin (catalog), students who audit are allowed to attend
classes as a "non-participant
in a non-credit, non-degree seeking status." However, audit students are encouraged to
participate in class discussions and labs and to attend and observe recording
sessions in the Center for Music Business studios. Students who audit will not be given a report
topic, recording project, or allowed to
assist as second engineer on project recording sessions. In addition, since auditing is a non-credit
status, participation as an audit will not meet the minimum qualifications for
booking and participating in recording sessions held in the Center for Music
Business Studios.
Class Schedule:
Meeting Topic
|
1 Jun 4 |
Class Introduction Overview of Equipment in the R.E. Mulloy
Student Studios Studios A & B. |
|
2 Jun 6 |
Intro to Neve Signal flow
I/O Module Homework assignment.. Lab Workbook |
|
3 Jun 11 |
Neve Signal flow contd.
Center section Patch bay.. Console Status selector. |
|
4 Jun 13 |
Condenser Microphones Patterns, Techniques, Blumlein Stereo Techniques, Decca Tree |
|
5 Jun 18 |
Analog Calibration Quiz
1 |
|
6 Jun 20 |
Pro
Tools Session Setup, File management, Analog to Pro-Tools transfers (Tracking
sessions this week) |
|
7 Jun25 |
Studio C file transfers & overdubbing.. Mixing back to Pro-Tools (Overdub sessions for Pjt #1 This
Week) |
|
8 Jun27 |
Mid-Term Exam / Practical |
|
9 Jul 2 |
Dynamic Processing.
Gates, Expanders, Compressors, Limiters. Keying, ducking, D-S-ing. Neve Dynamics VS outboard processors..
|
|
10 Jul 9 |
Neve Flying Fader Automation.. Setting up the mix .. The global
master.. RSI, Touch Record, Lock Record, Automatch.
Neve Recall |
|
11 Jul 11 |
Quiz 2 RADAR Operations Various Dig. Formats, Nuendo |
|
12 Jul 16 |
Project 1 due (Paperwork, Documentation, & Mix completed) SSL
operations, signal flow |
|
13 Jul 18 |
More SSL operations & Signal Flow. SSL Dynamics Processors. |
|
14 Jul23 |
Effects Processing
. Plates Reverbs and Digital
effects. Tape delay |
|
15 Jul 25 |
SSL
Ultimation ..Mixing Techniques |
|
16 Jul 30 |
Class Mix Exercise |
|
17 Aug 1 |
Project 2 due Listen to
Projects in Class |
|
18 Aug 6 |
Review for Final Exam |
|
19 Aug 8 |
Final Written & Practical exam. |
Audio Engineering Lab Schedule
Tuedays or Thursdays @ 9:30 AM
|
|
LAB |
SCHEDULE |
CREDIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Signal Flow Lab |
Tue Jun 5 |
10 points |
|
|
Studio A |
Thur Jun 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Large Session Set-up |
Tue
Jun 12 |
10 points |
|
|
Studios A |
Thur Jun 14 |
|
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