Course # / Title:

CRN 34494, AET 2370.11 – Studio Production

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):

9:30am – 11:15am MTWRF; June 2nd 2008 through July 2nd, 2008

Final Exam:

July 2 @ 9:30am

Dr. Tappan’s Webpage:

http://coba.belmont.edu/fac/tappant

 

 

Course Description:

An in-depth study of the producer and the production of recorded music product. Students create “demo” and “master” projects under the guidance of the instructor. Lab hours required.

 

Course Outcomes:

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

 1. exhibit an appropriate mastery of the techniques and skills of professional audio production

 2. analyze existing sound recordings from different recording eras and genres

 3. evaluate the quality of sound production in audio recordings

 4. plan, organize, conduct, and execute a recording session

 5. apply principles of leadership in studio production activities

 6. function effectively as a leader within a team context of producer/engineer/musician

 7. relate the importance of the Nashville Number System to studio production

 8. apply language unique to studio production

 

Performance Tasks:

During this course, the student will:

 1. produce one demo recording session and one master recording session

 2. listen, analyze, and chart musical elements of form, style, rhythm, harmony, melody, tempo, mood, and performance as they pertain to production.

 3. listen, identify and chart technical elements of frequency response, blend, balance, clarity, dynamic range, spatial positioning, doubling, and the effect of spectral, spatial, and dynamic processing in audio recordings.

 4. explain and exemplify the characteristics of different recording mixes

 5. describe and expatiate the foundational elements of the Nashville Number System

 6. create a personal mission statement and apply it to life, career, and production

 7. present chart song evaluations that exhibit an understanding of the nuances necessary to successful studio production

 

Assessment Tools:

During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

 1. Chart Song Evaluations (25%)

 2. Reflection Papers and Homework Assignments on In-Class Topic Discussions (15%)

 3. Two Recording Projects (50%)

 4. Final Exam (10%)

 

 

Assignments:

 

Activity

Credit

Description

1.  Chart Song Evaluations (10)

250 points

(25 points each)

Written critical evaluations (4-8 pages) of musical, performance, and technical aspects of existing chart recordings

2.  Homework/Reflection Assignments

150 points

(25 points each)

Reports and written summaries of in-class topics as assigned in class schedule.

3. Recording Project I (Demo Recording)

200 points

 

A production folder containing: a) CD recording of project b) written report detailing the pre-production and production process throughout project  c) copies of session work orders.

4. Recording Project II (Master Recording)

 

300 points

A production folder containing: a) CD recording of project b) written report detailing the pre-production and production process throughout project  c) copies of session work orders.

5.  Final Exam

100 points

A test of essay questions comprising various foundational topics vital to the study of studio production.

 

 

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 website link noted above.  Students are expected to complete reading and assignments as noted in the daily class schedule and failure to turn in assignments on time will result in decrease of one letter grade per day per assignment.

 

Testing: 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:

Pertinent recordings selected by student from different genres and time periods.

Various handouts

Cyberlinks

 

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:

AET 2370 / 08 Summer 1st Term

 

 

Topics

Assignments

 

June/Week 1

2

M

FIRST DAY OF CLASS; ORIENTATION

 

 

3

T

Discuss  Website - "The Session"

 

 

4

W

Continue Discussion

 

 

5

R

Website - "Judging Sound Quality"

Reflection Paper on The Session

 

6

F

CSE #1 - COUNTRY BEFORE 1960

Reflection on Judging Sound Quality; CSE #1

 

Week 2

9

M

CSE #2 - COUNTRY BETWEEN 1960-1990

CSE #2

 

10

T

Demo vs. Master Production

 

 

11

W

CSE #3 - COUNTRY AFTER1990

Reflection on Demo vs. Master;

CSE #3

 

12

T

Demo Recording Basic Procedures

 

 

13

F

CSE #4 - POP BEFORE 1970

Reflection on Demo Recording Basic Procedures; CSE #4

 

Week 3

16

M

Golden Ears + Other Critical Listening Exercises

 

 

17

T

CSE #5 - POP BETWEEN 1970-1990

CSE #5

 

18

W

Nashville Number System

 

 

19

R

PROJECT I PRESENTATIONS

Reflection on NNS

PROJECT I

 

20

F

CSE #6 - POP AFTER 2000

CSE #6

 

Week 4

23

M

CSE #7 - R& B BEFORE 1980

CSE #7

 

24

T

Leadership Principles

 

 

25

W

CSE #8 - HIP HOP/RAP/URBAN

Reflection on Leadership; CSE #8

 

26

R

Personal Mission Statements

 

 

27

F

CSE #9 - ANYTHING

Mission Statement; CSE #9

 

Week 5

30

M

CSE #10 - ANYTHING

CSE #10

July

1

T

PROJECT II PRESENTATIONS

PROJECT II

 

2

W

FINAL EXAM