Course # / Title:	CRN 30329, AET 1380.11 - Survey of Recording Technology
Course Credit Hours:	3 Credit Hours
Semester:	Summer ’08 Term I
Instructor:	Timmy Tappan Ed.D., M.Ed., B.S.
Instructor Contacts:	460-6290; tappant@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	11:30 Weekdays by appointment
Class Location:	MCREMS B25 (Studio Level)
Meeting Time(s):	7:30am – 9:15am MTWRF; June 2, 2008 through July 2, 2008
Final Exam:	July 2 @ 7:30am
Course Webpage:	http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET1380/
Dr. Tappan’s Webpage	http://coba.belmont.edu/fac/tappant

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:

• identify historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance
• recognize key figures and describe how their contributions influenced the production of music
• learn and apply a technical language for use in the music business industry
• formulate a timeline of recording devices and mediums developed
• know and evaluate how sound is produced
• examine how audio recording devices work
• listen and assess the quality of audio recordings and identify recording methods used
• observe recording sessions and apply course concepts
• demonstrate basic signal flow

Performance Tasks:

During this course, the student will:

• listen, identify, and associate characteristics of recording mediums in a historical timeline
• know and apply an audio technical vocabulary
• list recording devices chronologically
• consolidate important facts from course text, "America On Record"
• explain how the ear works
• plot differences in dB and frequency using the Equal Loudness Contour graph
• describe the power of the dB
• identify basic acoustic and psychoacoustic principles
• calculate harmonics, wavelength, and octaves using frequency
• differentiate the envelope of a sound from the life cycle of a sound
• interpret related, supplemental articles and web-linked assigned reading
• distinguish basic studio equipment and explain their function
• describe basic recording studio procedures
• identify microphone characteristics, placement, and stereo miking techniques
• trace introductory signal flow
• name characteristics of analog tape
• describe how the tape recorder works
• explain how multi-track recording changed the production of music
• describe how a speaker works
• demonstrate basic recording skills and operate classroom recording equipment
• write (4) studio observation reports applying and contrasting current course content discussed

• explain the basics of digital theory; sampling, quantization, anti-aliasing, dither, and data compression
• calculate differences in bit word length, bandwidth of sample rates, and dynamic range
• relate the Nyquist Theory to the vibration cycle of a waveform
• know the difference between a bit, byte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terabyte
• list steps in the encoding and decoding of a digital signal
• explain differences in current digital formats
• identify digital and computer interfaces
• list advantages of the digital workstation
• as part of a team, create an 8-track mix from a pre-recorded multi-track project using classroom equipment
• as part of a team, create a final recording project using classroom equipment, or
• create a presentation from a new idea, product, or concept demonstrating how recording technology is in a constant state of change

Assessment Tools:

During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

• multiple choice tests

ú written technical/observational papers graded with written rubric  

ú lab recording projects graded with project rubric

ú in-class and group participation graded by turning in group activity papers and in-class worksheets

Testing & Assignments:

Activity	Credit	Purpose/Description
1. Tests (4)	400 points (100 points each)	Based on lectures will assess the student’s knowledge base of the topic.
2. Group Presentations	100 points	Based on PowerPoint presentation, written report, and oral delivery
3. Reflection Paper (3)	100 points (33.3 points each)	A two page summary of group presentations
4. Trade Magazine Ad Paper (3)	50 points (16.6 points each)	A one-page summary of the contents of a trade magazine ad on studio equipment (microphones, signal processors, speakers)
5. Studio Observation Report (4)	100 points (25 points each)	A three page summary of observed recording sessions @ Belmont Studios
6. Project 1 – Mix	50 points	A CD with the completed mix
7. Final Recording Project	100 points	A CD with the completed project
8. Final Exam	100 points	A comprehensive test of multiple-choice questions that will measure the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the course topics and short-answer questions that will assess the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from lectures and readings.

Course & Classroom Policies:

Assignments: All students are expected to prepare and contribute to class discussions. Additional class readings and website links are available on the class website link noted above. You are expected to complete reading and study of textbook chapter assignments as noted in the daily class schedule. Observation of three recording sessions at designated intervals with detailed reports is required. Additionally, all students will complete the lab tutorials and record a final project using classroom equipment.

Testing: All test dates are noted in the class schedule. No makeup tests will be given. The final exam is comprehensive. No electronic devices of any kind maybe used during exams.

Attendance & Participation:

Attendance: Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.

Materials: Audio in Media, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth

America On Record; Millard; 2^nd Edition; Cambridge University Press

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

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:

			Topics	Assignments Due
June/Week 1	2	M	FIRST DAY OF CLASS; Syllabus & Handouts
	3	T	The Science of Hearing: How the ear works Form groups for AOR presentations & discuss	"What Am I Doing Here?"
	4	W	Acoustics-The Physics of Sound Listening examples
	5	R	Psychoacoustics-How Humans Perceive Sound Aural Illusions View & Discuss Historical Timeline Listening examples
	6	F	Review Week’s Material Test #1 Discuss & explore tinfoil.com Discuss Trade Magazine Ads
Week 2	9	M	Microphone Design Electro-Magnetic Transduction
	10	T	Mic Response Characteristics Connections Video Discussion of Edison, Bell, Berliner
	11	W	Mic Placement Techniques Discussion of Berliner’s role in mic development Listening examples	Trade Mag Ad #1: Microphone
	12	R	Group Presentation: The Acoustic Era Conclude Discussion On Mics Discuss Mix Project Lab Tutorial: Handout Fill In Tutorial Worksheets Listening examples	Group #1 Report + PPT
	13	F	Review Week’s Material Test #2 Catch up	Reflection on Presentation #1
Week 3	16	M	Console Design
	17	T	Analog/Magnetic Recording Basics Listening examples	Mix Project
	18	W	Digital Recording Basics Binary Numbers Discuss DAWs	Studio Observation #2
	19	R	Group #2 Presentation: The Electrical Era Conclude Discussion on Recording Basics	Group #2 Report + PPT
	20	F	Review Week’s Material Test #3 Catch up	Reflection on Presentation #2
Week 4	23	M	Signal Processing: Spectral Processors Listening Examples Discuss Final Project Lab Tutorial Handout Fill In Tutorial Worksheets
	24	T	Signal Processing: Time Processors Listening examples	Studio Observation #3
	25	W	Signal Processing: Dynamic Processors Introduce Golden Ears Listening examples
	26	R	Group #3 Presentation: The Digital Era Discuss data compression Discuss Significance of Internet	Group #3 Report + PPT Trade Mag Ad #2: Signal Processor
	27	F	Review Week’s Material Test #4 Catch up	Reflection on Presentation #3
Week 5	30	T	Speaker Design Listening examples	Studio Observation #4
July	1	R	Video: The Making of Sgt. Peppers	Final Project Trade Mag Ad #3: Speaker
	2	T	FINAL EXAM