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Course # / Title: |
AET 2090-50 Audio Engineering 1 |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 |
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Semester: |
Summer 2009 |
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Instructor: |
Andrew Gilfeather BMP&E |
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Instructor Contacts: |
615-242-5167, gilfeathera@mail.belmont.edu |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
1611 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203 Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm |
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Class Location: |
RCA Studio B, 1611 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203 RCA-B Office: 615-242-5167 http:// www.belmont-studios.org |
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Meeting Time(s): |
Section Class Lab AET2090.50 9:30am-10:50am MW 9:30am-11:00am TH
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Final Exam: |
Section Date Time AET2090.50 Monday 8/10 9:30am-10:50am |
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Course Description:
Prerequisites: AET 1380 and permission of instructor. A detailed study of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of the recording studio. Topics include basic studio electronics and signal flow, dynamic processing, basic microphone design, studio acoustics, basic session procedures, and the role of the assistant engineer. Emphasis is placed on developing logistical as well as audio perception skills for recording engineers. Lab hours required.
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:
ú Technically plan and prepare the recording studio for a recording, overdub, and mix session
ú assist and observe sessions and complete individual session logs
ú organize relevant session data into industry standard project documentation
ú During sessions, assess the quality of audio and recording techniques using critical listening skills
ú Co-engineer a small tracking / Mixdown session, Co-Engineer a 16 track tracking session
ú Engineer a 16 track mixdown session
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:
ú Quizzes – Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching and true-false responses
ú Written exams - Written responses comprising short answer and original short- and long-form essays and/or multiple choice responses
ú Practical exams – Common studio procedures are assigned and student proficiency is evaluated by instructor via a timed examination
ú Assignments– Assignments and Studio Session Projects are evaluated by the instructor to measure student proficiency.
Testing & Assignments:
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Activity |
Credit |
Purpose/Description |
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Assistant Engineer Assignments (AA1, AA2) |
5 % |
Students translate details of mock recording sessions to industry standard documentation within a specified time. |
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Assistant Engineer Sessions |
5% |
Students are required to serve as an Assistant Engineer for 3 sessions at RCAB and 2 sessions at the Mulloy Student Studios. Credit is logged via the CMB Studio database system. Students must be properly booked on the session and sign the invoice at the end of the session to receive credit. Students must turn in a minimum 2-page studio observation for each session. |
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Assistant Engineer Documentation |
10% |
Students translate details of AET2090 recording sessions to industry standard documentation. |
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Studio Session Projects (P1, P2, P3) |
30% |
Provide practical application of course content outside class and lab. Includes 1 Small-Format Recording/Mixing Session, 1 Large-Format Recording Session and 1 Large-Format Mixing Session. |
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Lab Participation |
5% |
Provides hands-on instruction of specific class content. Monday or Wednesday as assigned in class. |
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Lab Assignments |
5% |
Provides hands-on application of specific class content. Sign-up sheets for weekly daytime Friday, Saturday, or Sunday 30-minute sessions. |
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Comprehensive Practical Exams |
10% |
Assess the demonstration of functional ability using equipment in the RCA Studio B control room. Includes completing tasks within a specified amount of time in the presence of the instructor. |
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Quizzes (9) |
10% |
Based on current reading assignments and lectures, the quizzes measure the knowledge base attained during the course. Each test may include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching and true-false questions. |
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Mid-Term Exam |
10% |
Based on all reading assignments and lectures, the written test measures the comprehensive knowledge attained by the mid-semester. Test includes short-answer essay and multiple-choice questions. |
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Final Exam |
10 % |
Based on all reading assignments and lectures, the written test measures the comprehensive knowledge attained by the end of the course. Test includes short-answer essay and multiple-choice questions. |
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.
ú After six total class and lab absences, a student’s final grade will be reduced by 5%.
ú After eight total class and lab absences, the student’s final grade will be reduced 10%.
ú After twelve total class and lab absences the student will be removed from the class roster and withdrawn from the class with a grade of WF.
ú Absences are excused at the discretion of the instructor.
Cell Phones: Cell phones must be powered off during class and lab. Any use of a cell phone during class or lab will result in an unexcused absence for that period.
Assignments & Studio Session Projects: All work is due at the beginning of class on the day it is due. You will have a 15-minute “grace period” from the beginning of class, before an assignment is considered “late”, during which time you must not be present in class if you intended to take advantage of this concession. Late work will receive an automatic 50% penalty and will not be accepted more than 24 hours after the due date.
ú Assistant Engineers who must miss a Studio Session Project must contact the Engineer and make arrangements for a replacement. It is the responsibility of the Assistant Engineer to find their substitute.
ú Scheduled Engineers or Assistant Engineers who do not show up for confirmed Studio Session Projects without prior notification will lose one full letter from their final course grade.
Testing: 9 quizzes, 2 practical examinations, 1 written mid-term examination and 1 final examination. See class schedule for dates. No make-up exams will be given. Students may only be excused from an exam with proper notification from the provost. In the case of excused, missed exams; the other exam percentages will be adjusted accordingly.
Materials:
Required:
Audio Engineering 1 Workbook by Bulla, Janas, and Prince (15th edition)
Understanding Audio: Getting the Most Out of Your Project or Professional Recording Studio by Daniel Thompson, Berklee Press
6 Blank CD-rs with jewel cases
Recommended Reading & Links:
Audio in Media by Stanley R. Alten (7th Edition preferred, 8th Edition acceptable)
www.dpamicrophones.com - Microphone University
http://www.rane.com/digi-dic.html - Rane Pro Audio Reference
http://aes.org/ - Audio Engineering Society
http://www.aesnashville.org/ - AES Nashville Section
http://www.belmontaes.org - AES Belmont Student Chapter
Grade Evaluation: As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:
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Letter Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
Letter Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
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A |
94 (4.0) |
C- |
70 (1.7) |
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A- |
90 (3.7) |
Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major. |
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B+ |
87 (3.3) |
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B |
84 (3.0) |
D+ |
67 |
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B- |
80 (2.7) |
D |
64 |
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C+ |
77 (2.3) |
D- |
60 |
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C |
74 (2.0) |
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.
Assistant Engineer Assignment Schedule:
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ASSIGNMENT |
SESSIONS (One 30-minute slot) |
DUE DATE |
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AA1: Tracking documentation |
June 30, July 1, & July 2, 2009, 6pm-10pm |
July 6, 2009 |
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AA2: Mixing documentation |
July 24 – July 26, 11a-3pm |
July 27, 2009 |
Lab Assignment Schedule:
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ASSIGNMENT |
SESSIONS (One 30-minute slot) |
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Microphone Stands and Clips, wrap cables |
June 12 - June14, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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Basic Signal Flow |
June 19 – June 21, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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Mic Signal Flow |
June 26 – June 28, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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Monitor Side Mixing |
July 10 – July 12, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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Full Band Cue Mixes |
July 17 – July 19, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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Dynamics Processing |
July 31- August 2, 2009, 11am-3pm |
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¬” Editing |
August 7 – August 9, 2009, 11am-3pm |
Studio Project Session Schedule:
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PROJECT |
SESSIONS BEGIN |
SESSIONS END |
DUE DATE |
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P1: Small group Trk/Mix |
July 6, 2009 |
July 14, 2009 |
July 15, 2009 |
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P2: Large group Trk |
July 15, 2009 |
July 26, 1009 |
July 29, 2009 |
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P3: Individual Mix of P2 |
July 27, 2009 |
August 9, 2009 |
August 10, 2009 |
Summer 2009 Class Schedule:
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DAY |
DATE |
CLASS TOPIC |
READINGS |
LAB TOPIC |
ASSIGNED |
DUE |
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M |
8-Jun |
Class Overview, Lab Assignments, Studio Components, & Basic Sig Flow |
UA Ch 1-2 |
Session Setup & Console Signal Flow |
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W |
10-Jun |
Session Procedures, Roles, Docs, & MTR Op |
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M |
15-Jun |
Basic Electrical Theory, Bal-Unbal Circuits, Patchbay |
UA Ch 3 |
Mono Mic Technique: Vocals and AGT and Stereo Mic Technique: PNO |
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quiz 1 |
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W |
17-Jun |
Intro: decibels and dynamic range & API Console signal flow & operations |
UA Ch 8, 11 and UA Ch 4, P261, Lab Book 35-47 |
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M |
22-Jun |
Mic Design & Operating Principles, mono mic tech &Applied Stereo Mic Techniques |
UA pp14-22, 260-261, 265, 198 and UA pp 218-221 |
Mic Technique: Amplified Instruments |
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quiz 2 |
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W |
24-Jun |
Control Room monitor mix, Pro Tools operations |
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M |
29-Jun |
Acoustics & Hearing |
UA Ch 5, 10 |
Practical Exam 1 |
AA1 6/30 |
quiz 3 |
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W |
1-Jul |
Mic Techniques for amplified inst |
UA pp 281-221 |
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M |
6-Jul |
Mic Techniques for drums |
UA pp 281-221 |
Mic Technique: Drums |
P1starts 7/6 |
quiz 4 / AA1 |
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W |
8-Jul |
Full tracking setup, cue mixes |
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M |
13-Jul |
Mid-Term Exam and 1/4" analog editing |
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EQ and Dynamic Processing |
P1 ends 7/14 |
quiz 5 |
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W |
15-Jul |
Equalization principles, operations, and routing |
UA pp25, 82-83; Lab pp 102-11 |
P2 Starts |
P1 |
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M |
20-Jul |
Dynamic processing principles, operations, and routing |
UA pp 24-25, 84-85; Lab pp112-129 |
1/4" Editing and Time Processing: Reverb and Echo |
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quiz 6 |
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W |
22-Jul |
Time processing principles, operations, and routing&Multitrack Mix through API Channel section |
UA pp 26, 74-75; Lab pp 130-134 |
AA2 7/24 |
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M |
27-Jul |
Loudspeakers & Listening |
UA pp26-31, 207-217, 223-225, 315-333, 340 |
Mixdown |
P2 End 7/26 -P3 start |
quiz 7 / AA2 |
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W |
29-Jul |
Electricity & Audio |
UA Ch 6-7, Lab pp19-22 |
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P2 |
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M |
3-Aug |
Decibels & Gain and Analog Recording |
UA Ch 8, 9, 11, 12 and UA Ch 13 |
Practical Exam 2 |
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quiz 8 |
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W |
5-Aug |
Digital Recording and Review |
UA Ch 14 |
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M |
10-Aug |
Final exam |
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P3 End 8/9 |
quiz 9/P3 |