Contact: Phone: 460-5625 / Office # 222 BMH / E-Mail:
wujcikd@mail.belmont.edu
Credit: 3
Hours / Class Location-Center for Music Business B19
Meeting Time(s): Sec. 1380.04 -
Class Webpage: http://campus.belmont.edu/bullaw/MBU138.html
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 Objectives: To provide students with a basic
knowledge of how the modern recording studio functions through 1) reading
assignments, 2) studio observations, 3) participation, and 4) lecture. An emphasis on understanding and problem
solving is designed to optimize students' awareness of the real life demands of
the professional recording business.
Objectives of the
¨ 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.
¨ To equip students with the ability to (1)
communicate effectively, (2) think critically, and (3) make enlightened
judgments about their environment.
¨ To emphasize quality classroom instruction within
the parameters of caring, Christian principles.
Accommodation of
Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act,
Course Requirements:
Text & Materials: Audio in Media 6th Ed. by
Several blank CD-R’s
will be needed for class projects.
Attendance: As per current Undergraduate Bulletin at: http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2004jun/apolicies.htm.
Participation: All students are expected to
contribute to class discussions. Specific
class activities, topics, and readings are posted on the class website. Additional handouts will be made available in
class.
Required Assignments:
Testing: All test dates are noted in the
class schedule. No makeup tests will be
given. Final exam will be comprehensive.
Test dates maybe subject to change except final exam.
Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each
student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code.
As members of the
“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.”
Evaluation: Tests #1-#4, 100
Points Each = 400 Points 40%
(4)
Studio Observations, 35 Points Each = 140 Points 14%
Lab
Tutorial, Part I = 100 Points 10%
Final
Project or Presentation =
160 Points 16%
Final
Exam = 200 Points 20%
GRAND TOTAL =
1,000 Points 100%
Grading Scale:
Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate
Bulletin located at: http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2004jun/ap_as.htm.
A =
970-1000 B+ = 870-928 C+ = 770-799 D+
= 670-699 F = BELOW 600
A = 930-969 B = 830-869 C
= 730-769 D = 630-669
A- =
900-929 B- = 800-829 C- = 700-729 D- = 600-629
Extra Credit: An opportunity to earn extra credit in the total amount of 4% added
to your cumulative average is given twice during the semester.
|
Key Dates |
|
Activity |
|
|
Aug
26 -Thurs |
Intro |
|
|
Sept
6 -Mon |
LABOR
DAY |
|
|
Sept
20 - Mon |
TEST
#1 Observation # 1 Due |
|
|
Oct
11- Mon |
TEST
#2 Observation # 2 Due |
|
|
Oct
14-17 Th-Sun |
FALL
BREAK!!! |
|
|
Nov 8
- Mon |
TEST
#3 Observation # 3 Due |
|
|
Nov
24-28 Wed-Sun |
THANKSGIVING
BREAK!!! yum yum… |
|
|
Dec 2
- Thurs |
TEST
#4 & Observation # 4 Due |
|
|
Dec 6
- Mon |
Last
Day of Class – Final Projects Due, Review for Final Exam |
|
|
Dec
13 - Mon |
Final
Exam, Section 1380.04, |
|
|
Dec
14 - Tues |
Final
Exam, Section 1380.05, |
Observation
Reports (4) MBU1380
WUJCIK
You are required to observe four recording sessions
during the semester.
As a guide, use the studio observation
form handout given in class. During your visit, note what type of session it
is, and what equipment is being used (console, tape recorder, microphones,
outboard gear, speakers, instruments, etc.).
Find out brand names and model numbers of equipment. No serial numbers,
please! Do not list all the equipment
found in the studio, only what it is being used during the session. Write about what takes place during the
session keeping a watchful eye on the technical aspects of the session and how
it applies to what you are learning in class.
Do not dwell on how many takes it took the musician to complete an
overdub. Important! Ask questions. Be courteous, respecting the time and
assignment of the people involved. Sometimes, key information can be gathered
before or after the session more easily than necessarily during. As a starting point, it is helpful to describe
what procedures were used in the setup, tracking, overdubbing, and/or mixing
stages of the session. Initially, this
is “what they did”. Write your report in
anecdotal or narrative form. “The
recording engineer did…Before the singer began her second take, I noticed the producer…etc.) Compose a rough draft, edit, and include in
your observation a description of the procedure, an application of what you
learned, and a conclusion. The summary
may include your opinions. Craft your observation so that it is not riddled
with opinion, but facts. Check the accuracy of the information you have gathered. The use of references is a great way to
demonstrate you are actively applying what you are learning. Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and
type the report (double-spaced, 12pt) using a word processing program.
Your rough
draft or the class website form is not an acceptable form for submission. Each observation is due on the corresponding assigned
test date found in your syllabus and is worth 35 points. Reports
may not be emailed. Reports should be a minimum of three
type-written pages and stapled.
Some reports may end up being longer.
Reports should not be handed in late. The absolute deadline for any late observation is two consecutive days
past the assigned due date (not class dates). For each day late the report will be lowered
one letter grade. After that time a zero
will be given. Late is better than a zero. Points are awarded on content, how
well the observation is documented, how it is presented (neatness), when it is turned
in, etc. It is understood that you are not in control of any session you are
observing. Some will go smoother and
be more organized than others. Some, you
will understand more than others. Spend
enough time at the session to gather all the information you need to construct
a well-written report. If you are planning
an off-campus visit, plan it early.
Above all, enjoy these times! Students are continually excited about what
they learn, who they meet, how technology is used similarly, but different at
each and every session they attend, and how much they comprehend at the end of
the semester. A key to writing a great
observation is to apply the technical knowledge gained in class, incorporating
it into your report. How you present your
findings and how you document the procedure/application and conclusion is your
grade. Entertain me with your writing!
Lab Tutorial
All students in MBU 1380 must complete Part 1 of the
lab tutorial on the class computer located in B19. Due to the large number of students using the
lab, you are encouraged to complete it with a partner or a small group (no more
than three students). Check the lab
signup instructions. Select a time on
the signup sheet located on the bulletin board when it is posted in the hallway
located in front of B19. The tutorial is
self-instructed, and assumes you have no experience. Complete Part 1 by recording your “mix” to a
blank CDR. Follow instructions on the
use of the tape carefully. If you experience
difficulties, seek help at the front desk through a staff engineer on
duty. Important! Login with last names of
all participants to receive credit.
Signup early, and show up during your designated time. Complete
Part 1 of the lab tutorial by midterm. One CD containing your mix (Part 1) labeled
with the song title and the names of participants is due
from each group the last class before midterm.
Final Recording Project or…
Your lab group, or possibly a new group may decide
to complete Part II of the tutorial and produce a final recording project. This project must use multi-track recording
or multi-track
1. You must use a multi-track
recorder or a recording program that allows overdubbing.
2. You must overdub at least
one instrument or voice using a microphone.
Several of you may have already done such work. If so, please read the following criteria
carefully. Your previous work may qualify
you to submit it for evaluation early thereby
allowing you to not be exempt from the
project, but rather receive credit for it now and have it finished. The submission date for this evaluation is
two weeks from the first day of class. If
you are considering this, submit the following.
A
completed Recording Project consists
of:
1. A CD or cassette containing
the recording
2. A detailed report describing
the entire recording process
The recording can be original, although the song or
subject need not be. It can be a hit
song that you’ve always wanted to record or a song you wrote for a friend. You must take an active role as the producer, musician, engineer, or all of the
above in the project. Very important! You may not book or use any other studios at
1. How well the criteria is met
2. The effort discernable
through your written report and your recording
3. The quality of the process
you describe in your report during your recording
4. Your attention to detail and
your ability to write effectively
All final projects are due
the last day of class – no late turn-ins
accepted. Your project will not be graded critically on the
final quality of the music or the recording.
The purpose of the project is to have fun and document it while you
acquaint yourself with the hands-on experience of recording. Enjoy the process! Past projects have included…
1. original songs
2. previous hits, various
styles
3. vocal or instrumental solos
4. small vocal groups, bands
5. made up commercials
6. voiceovers, plays, poetry or
readings with musical accompaniment
7. nature sounds mixed with
free form music
8. use your imagination…
Presentation
Instead of recording a final project, you may choose
to prepare a presentation for class.
This presentation is a collaborative group project just like the lab
tutorial and will be completed with the help of two other students in class of
your choosing, not necessarily your lab tutorial partners. Due dates for presentations will be selected
in class after your first test and groups will be identified along with topics at
this time. Group participants receive the same grade. A powerpoint
presentation and an accompanying written report is necessary.
The purpose of the presentation is to share
technological advances of interest much like what this class is about. The history of recording is a fascinating
timeline and it continues to evolve. We
are an ongoing part of it. It will be
your job to select a topic that makes you and others think “outside the
box”. Present your findings in a brief
5-10 minute oral presentation for class.
Past students have enjoyed preparing short powerpoint presentations allowing class members to
quickly grasp the topic of interest. Presentations are to be burned on a CD
data disk to use on the classroom computer and projector. Very important! Please check with me to be sure your disk
works on the class computer before
the day of your presentation. A minimum
of a three page double spaced, 12pt typed report containing your findings along
with a short summary is required to complete your presentation. Pictures are a great addition. All sources need to be noted and credited in
a bibliography.
Grading/Criteria:
1.
Your oral presentation of 5-10 minutes, no longer please
2.
Your powerpoint visual presentation on a CD
data disk (handed in at conclusion)
3.
Your written report – your ability to share the information, quickly
and in an entertaining manner. Be
creative!
Please remember:
Group members receive
identical grades. Extremely important!!! There are NO makeup dates. Presentations must be given on the assigned
date.
ENG 2100 Writing Affiliate Students
English 2100, the Writing Affiliate, is a second-tier writing course that builds on fundamentals of expository writing set forth in English 1100. ENG2100 works with a paired course in the general education curriculum to help students develop topics pertaining to the gen. Ed. Course and writing in general. Each student keeps a writer’s portfolio to be turned in to the ENG2100 instructor at end of the semester. The ENG 2100 instructor does not evaluate the papers written for MBU1380. Rather, s/he will provide those students taking the class with guidance in meeting the reading and writing requirements. Though the topics and exercises in ENG2100 are designed to compliment MBU1380, it remains an independent course with its own in-class assignments and papers that are evaluated by the English instructor. Opportunities to revise any work for MBU1380 must be completed before any MBU1380 deadlines. There are no extensions or revised turn-in dates. English 2100 is designed to aid students in producing writing that is characterized by a clear sense of purpose; effectively ordered and fully supported ideas; style appropriate to purpose and audience; and control of grammatical and mechanical elements necessary for effective communication.