Course # / Title:

30332; AET 1380 Survey of Recording Technology

Course Credit Hours:

3 Credit Hours

Semester:

Summer Session 2,  2008   

Instructor:

David Tough, B.A., M.B.A.

Instructor Contacts:

(615) 554-6693 (cell), toughd@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

# 206 Sony Building, Summer Office Hours by Appointment

Class Location:

MCREMSB25

Meeting Time(s):

0930-1115 AM MTWRF, July 7 – Aug 5

Final Exam:

Tues, August 5th, 0930-1115 AM

 

Class Webpage:    http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET1380/

 

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 scantron tests

·         written technical/observational papers graded with written ruberic  

·         lab recording projects graded with project ruberic

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

 

Testing & Assignments:                                                                    Total Points              % of grade 

4 Scantron Tests (100 points ea)                                                     =   400 Points                        40%

4 Studio Observations (37.5 points ea)                                           =   150 Points                        15%

2 Reading Pop Quizzes (25 points ea)                                             =    50 Points                         5%

Project 1 - Mix Tutorial                                                      =   50 Points                         5%

Final Recording Project or Presentation                                         =  70 Points                            7%

Participation (for group projects)                                                     =   100 points                        10%

Final Exam                                                                                           =   180 Points                        18%

GRAND TOTAL =                                                                             =   1,000 Points                    100%

Extra Credit: An opportunity to earn extra credit in the total amount of 4% added to your cumulative grade average is given twice during the semester.

 

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:

 

B.  Materials: 

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

America on Record; A History of Recorded Sound, 2nd Edition, Andre Millard, Cambridge 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.

 

Other:  

 

  1. The B25 classroom will be treated like any other studio; NO food or drink permitted at any time, except bottled water with a cap.
  2. I strongly encourage no internet surfing in class, those who surf for personal reasons usually do not do as good in the class, simply because they are not taking the material in.
  3. Remember to fill out a course evaluation on BIC at the end of the semester so I can improve this course.
  4. Keep all AET/music business course materials (including AET 1380 notes/handouts) so you can use them to study for your senior exit exam when you are graduating.

 

 

Class Schedule:

 

AET 1380 Summer 2 Schedule 2008 - Mr. Tough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

Day

Topic

Activity

Assignments

Handouts

7-Jul

Mon

Orientation & Introduction

Syllabus & handouts

Read Handouts

Handouts 1-4

7-Jul

Mon

Lecture 1 - Beginnings of Recording Pt 1

Lecture

Tinfoil.com essay

 

8-Jul

Tues

Lecture 2 - Basic Properties of Sound

Lecture

America On Record Group Assignment #1

Observation requirements/rubric,

 

 

 

Form groups

 

Wished Learned in school, etc

 

 

 

 

 

Prof Pet Peaves

 

 

 

 

 

AET Listening Catalog

 

 

 

 

 

Am on record group assignment #1

8-Jul

Tues

Lecture 3 - How do we describe sound?

Listening, Lecture

 

n/a

 

 

 

Discuss tinfoil assignments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen:

 

 

 

 

 

Spectrum demo (white noise and big band)

 

 

 

 

 

Wash Post March

 

 

 

 

 

King of Bungaloos

 

 

 

 

 

2 charts 1890/1911 - compare S/N etc

 

 

9-Jul

Wed

Lecture 3 - How do we describe sound?  ctd

Listening, Lecture

 

n/a

 

 

 

Listen:

 

 

 

 

 

SPL demo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9-Jul

Wed

Lecture 4 - Beginnings of Recording Pt 2

Lecture

AOR #1 Summaries Due

n/a

 

 

 

Discuss AOR Summaries

 

 

10-Jul

Thurs

Lecture 4 - Beginnings of Recording Pt 2 ctd

Lecture

Fill in tutorial worksheets

Project 1 - Tutorial Explanation

 

 

 

Discuss Project 1 - Lab Tutorial

 

Lab Tutorial Handouts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10-Jul

Thurs

Lecture 5 - An Early Session

Listening, Lecture

Read 2nd half of 1925 handout

n/a

 

 

Lecture 6 - Overtones, Phase, ADSR

Listen:

Audio in Media Ch 1/2 pp 1-22

 

 

 

 

Overtones Demo

½ pp summary of magnetic recording website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11-Jul

Fri

Lecture 6 - Overtones, Phase, ADSR ctd

Lecture

 Magnetic Recording Summary Due

n/a

 

 

Lecture 7 - Electrical Recording

Discuss Magnetic Recording Summary

America On Record Group Assignment #2

 

11-Jul

Fri

Lecture 7 - Electrical Recording ctd

Listening, Lecture

 

n/a

 

 

 

Phase Experiments

 

 

 

 

 

Listen/Watch:

 

 

 

 

 

Connections DVD 

 

 

 

 

 

Loveable and Sweet    

 

 

 

 

 

Puttin on the Ritz

 

 

 

 

 

Swanee

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Man on Moon 

 

 

14-Jul

Mon

Catch up on Lecture/Listening

Lecture

AOR #2 Summaries Due

n/a

 

 

 

Discuss AOR Summaries

 

 

14-Jul

Tues

Lecture  9 - The Ear

Lecture

Read Handouts

Ear Handouts

 

 

 

Shoe Demo

 

 

 

 

 

Listen/Review:

 

 

 

 

 

Tones Demo

 

 

 

 

 

Waveforms Demo 

 

 

 

 

 

Harmonics Demo  (if not already played

 

 

 

 

 

Noise Band Sequence:  5 bands

 

 

 

 

 

Musical filter sequence: 5 bands

 

 

 

 

 

Equal Loudness Tone Demo

 

 

15-Jul

 

Lecture – 8 Psychoacoustics

Lecture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15-Jul

Tues

Lecture  10- Electrical instruments and finishing out the 30s

Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

Watch parts of Moog DVD

 

 

16-Jul

Wed

Makeup Day

Review

n/a

n/a

16-Jul

Wed

Test Review

Review

 

n/a

17-Jul

Thurs

TEST #1

n/a

Read Audio in Media Ch 4/13 - Microphones/Music Production

All microphone handouts

 

 

OBSERVATION #1 Due

 

Read Handouts

Test #2 review sheet

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Credit Assignment #1

17-Jul

Thurs

Lecture  11- Microphones - Intro & Design

Lecture

n/a

n/a

18-Jul

Fri

Lecture  11- Microphones - Characterisics

Lecture

n/a

n/a

18-Jul

Fri

Lecture  11- Microphones - Characterisics ctd

Listening, Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

Listen: Pro Mic CD Trks 1,2, 4

 

 

21-Jul

Mon

Lecture  11- Microphones - Polar Patterns

Listening, Lecture

Read Chapter 3 Audio in Media - Life Cycle of Sound

 

 

 

 

Listen:

 

 

 

 

 

Other mic audio examples

 

 

 

 

 

Close miking v. distant miking audio examples

 

 

 

 

 

Puttin On The Ritz

 

 

 

 

 

Sent For You Yesterday

 

 

21-Jul

Mon

Lecture 11 - Microphones - Finish 

Project 1 Due

n/a

Birth of LP Handout

 

 

Lecture 12 - Life Cycle of Sound

 

 

 

22-Jul

Tues

Watch Tom Lubin video as mic review (optional)

n/a

n/a

n/a

22-Jul

Tues

Lecture - 13 The LP

Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

Review For Test 2

Review

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

23-Jul

Wed

TEST #2

Extra Credit #1 Due

n/a

Short History of Multitrack studio

 

 

OBSERVATION #2 Due

 

 

Test 2 Review Sheet

23-Jul

Wed

Lecture 14 - 40s/50s Recording

Listening, Lecture

Read Audio in Media pp 101-112 Analog Recording

n/a

 

 

 

Listen:

or Analog Recording Handout

 

 

 

 

Lover

 

 

 

 

 

How High the Moon

 

 

 

 

 

Confess

 

 

 

 

 

Sent for You Yesterday

 

 

24-Jul

Thurs

Lecture 15 - Analog Recording

Listening, Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

Watch Les Paul DVD clips

 

 

 

 

 

Analog Versus Digital (AB CD)

 

 

24-Jul

Thurs

RCA B Tours

n/a

n/a

n/a

25-Jul

Fri

Lecture 15 - Analog Recording ctd

Listening, Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

Tutti Frutti - tape saturation

 

 

 

 

 

Led Zepplin - Pre echo

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Floyd/Bee Gees - Tape Loops

 

 

25-Jul

Fri

Lecture 16 - Signal Processors

Listening, Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

50s/60s signal processor examples

 

 

 

 

 

Other audio signal processor examples

 

 

28-Jul

Mon

Lecture 16 - Signal Processors ctd

Listening, Lecture

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

50s/60s signal processor examples

 

 

 

 

 

Other audio signal processor examples

 

 

28-Jul

Mon

Lecture 16 - Signal Processors ctd

Lecture

Fill in tutorial worksheets

Project 2 Handout

 

 

 

Discuss Project 2

 

 

29-Jul

Tues

Review For Test 3

Review

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

29-Jul

Tues

TEST #3

n/a

Read Audio in Media Ch 5 - Consoles

n/a

 

 

OBSERVATION #3 Due

 

 

 

30-Jul

Wed

Lecture 17 - The Audio Console

Lecture

Grade updates

n/a

30-Jul

Wed

Lecture 17 - The Audio Console ctd

Listening, Lecture

 

n/a

 

 

Lecture 18 - Trends in Sound Recording 50s-90s

 

 

 

31-Jul

Thurs

Watch making of Sgt Peppers

n/a

Complete Sgt Peppers Worksheet

Roger Nichols Handout

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of Low Cost Rec. (AES) handout

 

 

 

 

 

Mp3 Economy handout

 

 

 

 

 

Phil Spector (Be My Baby) Handout

 

 

 

 

 

TEC Hall of Fame Handouts (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

31-Jul

Thurs

Catch up day

Listening, Lecture

n/a

Read Audio in Media 113-134 - Digital Recording

 

 

Discuss Brian Wilson/Phil Spector

Good vibrations

 

Read Intro to MIDI

 

 

 

Catch up on Listening examples

 

 

1-Aug

Fri

Lecture 19 - Digital Recording

Listening: Bit Rate versus sample rate

 

 

1-Aug

Fri

Lecture 20-  Digital Audio Formats.ppt

Listening, Lecture

 

n/a

 

 

 

Review for Test #4

 

 

 

 

Lecture 23 - The Future - Surround sound etc

Listening: Bit Rate versus sample rate

 

 

 

 

 

Mijac examples, 5.1, Melodyne, etc

 

 

4-Aug

Mon

Test #4

Observation #4 Due

Review

 

n/a

 

 

Review For Final

 

 

 

5-Aug

Tues

Final Exam

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

Project #2 due, Extra Credit #2 due