AET 3090.01 8 AM TR

AET 3090.02 9:30 AM TR

AET 3090.03 11 AM TR

RCA Studio B (unless otherwise notified)

Instructor: Ken Landers

landersk@mail.belmont.edu (always the best way to reach me!)

615-460-6174

Barbara Massey Hall #246

Office Hours: 11 AM - 5 PM W. Other hours by appointment.

Class Description: A detailed study of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of the recording studio. Topics include basic studio electronics and signal flow, tape machine alignment, dynamic processing, basic microphone design, studio acoustics, basic session procedures, and the role of the assistant engineer. Emphasis is placed on developing audio perception skills for recording engineers. Lab hours required.

Required Materials:

1. Text. Audio in Media 6^th edition by Stanley Alten. Wadsworth 2002.

2. Text. Make Mine Music by Bruce Swedien. MIA Press 2004.

3. CD-Rs – you will need at least 6 for the class. Jewel boxes are required.

Course Content: This course covers a wide range of material. It will move very fast. Topics covered will include: microphones, direct boxes, console signal flow (for at least two consoles), analog recording, compression and limiting. Students will work on vintage and modern equipment alike gaining a wide body of experience. Students are responsible for learning all presented material from class and texts.

Attendance: Students may miss up to four class periods throughout the semester without any grade reduction. After four misses, a student’s final grade will be reduced by 5%. After six misses, the student’s final grade will be reduced 10%. After eight absences, the student will be removed from the class roster and withdrawn from the class with a grade of F.

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled studio sessions. Failure to attend a scheduled session can result in an F on the project. If you need to change your studio time – see Mike Janas, RCA B Studio Manager. He can often arrange for you to have a different time. Do not wait until the last minute to change times however. This will result in the studio sitting empty for your original session and may block other students from using the time.

Labs. Attendance is mandatory. The lab times are as follows:

Section	Day	Time	Location
AET 3090.01	Monday/Wednesday	1.00 – 1.50 PM	RCA-B
AET 3090.02	Monday/Wednesday	2.00 – 2.50 PM	RCA-B
AET 3090.03	Monday/Wednesday	3.00 - 3.50 PM	RCA-B

Students will attend one of the two weekly sessions (either Monday or Wednesday) as assigned.

Lab and Class Schedule.

WEEK OF	LAB	PROJECT
12-Sept	API Signal Flow
19-Sept	RCA-B Setup Procedures	16-Sept Signal Flow – Mix Project – Due 27 Sept
26-Sept	Mic Lab 1 (vocals, piano, acoustic instruments)
3-Oct	Mic Lab 2 (amps & other electric instruments	29-Sept Vocal/Acoustic Recording Project – Due 11-Oct
10-Oct	Mic Lab 3 (drums & perc)
17-Oct	EQ	17-Oct – 8-Nov Tracking for project
24-Oct	Comp-Gate
31-Oct	Reverb & Delay
7-Nov	Mixing	9-Nov – 4-Dec Mix for project
14-Nov	Analog Alignment	Project due – Tuesday – December 6th
LABS: BRIEF DESCRIPTION (12 labs, each lab is 50 minutes)
Setup Labs: Orientation to RCAB & CMB studios
	goal is to acclimate AE1 students and enable them to assist
Signal Flow: route signal thru console to tape machines using an oscillator & a mic
	prep for the Mix Project
Mic Lab 1: Prep for Live-2trk project: mic piano, acoustic guitar, and vocal
Mic Lab 2: Micing techniques for amplified instruments, including elec gtr, organ; include DI
Mic Lab 3: Techniques for drum micing
EQ Lab: Practice using the console eq and the Lang EQ
Comp-Gate Lab: Practice using the comps & gates
Reverb-Delay Lab: Practice using plates, chamber, spring reverb and tape delays
Mix Lab 1: 10 minute rough mix, then print 30 seconds of it to Pro Tools & 1/4", edit head-tail
Mix Lab 2: Mix using students' choice of outboard, print to Pro Tools & 1/4" & edit
Analog Alignment: Students align 2-trk

Projects. Each student will have three studio projects in RCA Studio B.

1. The first project will be a Mix Project. The student will mix a previously recorded multi-track tape and will perform the task of balancing levels, equalization of tracks, use of dynamics processing, and spatial (time-based) effects. You will have one session to complete this project. (2 studio hours)

2. The second project will be a Live to Stereo Recording and Mix Project. You will record a band and mix the band live to stereo two-track. You will use all of the skills developed above as well as providing a good headphone mix for your performers. A simple performance (i.e. guitar and vocal or piano and vocal) is suggested. You will have one session to complete this project. (2 studio hours)

3. The third project is your full Record and Mix Project. It will involve two sessions. The first session will be a tracking session. Here the emphasis will be on the rhythm section recording and getting a good basic track. The second session will be for overdubs. Typically solo instruments, solo vocals, and background vocals are done during overdubs. The third session will be a mix session where you will use the mix skills developed in the earlier projects to create a cohesive mix on analog 2 track and in a digital format to be determined. (8 studio hours)

Assisting Hours. The best place to learn recording is in the studio. As an assistant engineer, you will help out engineers in the Audio I and Audio II classes and will help them complete their assignments. For full assisting credit, you will need at least 20 hours of assisting during the course of the semester. You can get extra credit for up to 5 extra hours of assisting time (25 hours total). You will be working in RCA Studio B as well as the CMB (campus) studios.

Assignments. Students will be responsible for all assignments given in class including readings, papers, and other assignments.

Readings: Students will be responsible for all material presented in the text books regarding any subjects discussed. For example, a test question may come from the chapter on Microphones even if that particular aspect of microphones is not discussed in class.

Exams. There will be at least 3 tests and a comprehensive final exam in the course of this class. No makeup or late exams will be given. If you know you must miss an exam, see the instructor at least one week prior to the test date.

The finals will be given at the following times:

Section .01 – Thursday, December 8th @ 8 AM

Section .02 – Tuesday, December 13^th @ 8 AM

Section .03 – Monday, December 12^h @ 11 AM

Grade Evaluation.

100 – 93 = A 89-87 = B+ 79-77 = C+ 69-67 = D+ < 60 = F

92 – 90 = A- 86-83 = B 76-73 = C 66-63 = D

82-80 = B- 72-70 = C- 62-60 = D-

Grading Criteria.

ITEM/ CRITERIA PERCENTILE

1. Attendance/Participation 10%

2. Tests (3) 20% (combined)

3. Final Exam 25%

4. Individual Projects/Assignments 20%

5. Labs 15%

6. Assisting Hours 10%

Audit Students. As per the current Belmont University Bulletin (catalog), students who audit are allowed to attend classes as a “non-participant in a non-credit, non-degree seeking status.” However, audit students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and labs and to attend and observe recording sessions in the CEMB studios. Students who audit will not be given recording projects or allowed to assist as an assistant engineer on project recording sessions. In addition, since auditing has non-credit status, participation as an audit student will not meet the minimum qualifications for booking and participating in recording sessions held in Belmont’s studios.

Accommodation of Disabilities.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Ace, 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 this disability, please notify Tammye Tanksley, Director of Counseling and Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Honor Code: The Belmont community values personal integrity and academic honesty as the foundation of university life and the cornerstone of a premiere educational experience. Our community believes trust among its members is essential for both scholarship and effective interactions and operations of the University. As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors, which compromise this value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work. On the last page of the syllabus you will find the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior. Please sign and date your acceptance of this policy and return the completed Honor Code document along with your Student Information Sheet.

The following is provided so that you can retain a copy of the honor code for your reference.

“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.”

Audio I (section .01, .02, & .03) Project Requirements Fall 2005

You are required to do three Recording Projects as part of AE1. They will be a Mix Project, a Live to Two Track Project, and a Record and Mix Project. These projects will give you practical, hands-on recording experience, and will require you to organize and coordinate sessions as well as record the music. If you have any questions after reading these requirements, please see your instructor.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

· 6 blank CD-Rs with jewel cases (do not use CD-A discs)

· Neato Labels for CD-Rs (provided at RCA Studio B)

· 2” analog tape (provided at RCA Studio B)

· 1/4” analog tape (provided at RCA Studio B)

· 7” box label (provided at RCA Studio B)

· 3 manila envelopes with clasp (or equivalent) to turn in projects (will contain CDs, 1/4” tape, & paperwork)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

· Engineers may not perform on their own sessions.

· Assistant Engineers may not perform on their sessions.

· Only enrolled AE1 students may assist on AE1 sessions.

· Scheduled Engineers or Assistant Engineers who do not show up for confirmed sessions will lose ten points from their FINAL grade. Assistant Engineers who must miss a session must contact the Engineer and make arrangements for a replacement. It is the responsibility of the Assistant Engineer to find their substitute.

· Only moving coil microphones may be used – no exceptions.

· Turn in projects separately (different envelopes).

SCHEDULING SESSION TIME

· Project sessions are assigned in class. The sessions are considered on HOLD, and are posted in RED typeface on the Studio Schedule website: http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/studio/schedule.htm.

· Complete a WORK ORDER, and turn in to appropriate Studio Manager. Once verified, your session is CONFIRMED, and is posted in GREEN typeface on the Studio Schedule website.

· Work Orders must be submitted no less than 2 weeks prior to the first session.

· Schedule change requests must be submitted directly to the appropriate Studio Manager.

MIX PROJECT

Studio: RCA Studio B

Equipment: API 2098 recording console, Otari MTR-90II 2” 16-track analog recorder, Otari MTR10 1/4” 2-track analog recorder, Pro tools LE system

Materials: 2’ analog tape, 1/4” analog tape, 2 CD-Rs with jewel cases, 2 Neato labels

Turn In: 1 1/4” analog tape of the finished mix, 1 labeled CD-R of the finished mix and required paperwork

Student will use the RCAB lab tape to create 2 mixes of the same song. One mix will be created through the channel side of the API and the other through the monitor side. The student will monitor the mix thru the control room monitors, headphones, and will also play back the channel side mix thru the studio loudspeakers. Mixes will be printed to the HHB CD-R recorder. Student will have a total of 2 hours.

LIVE-2TRK PROJECT

Studio: RCA Studio B

Equipment: API 2098 recording console, Otari MTR-90II 2” 16-track analog recorder, Otari MTR10 1/4” 2-track analog recorder, Pro tools LE system

Materials: 2’ analog tape, 1/4” analog tape, 2 CD-Rs with jewel cases, 2 Neato labels

Turn In: 1 1/4” analog tape of the finished mix, 1 labeled CD-R of the finished mix and required paperwork

Student will record a piano-vocal or an acoustic guitar-vocal performance to the HHB CD-R. The performance will be recorded live, with no overdubs (and no edits possible on HHB). Student will have 2 hours.

RECORDING & MIXING PROJECT

Studio: RCA Studio B

Equipment: API 2098 recording console, Otari MTR-90II 2” 16-track analog recorder, Otari MTR10 1/4” 2-track analog recorder, Pro tools LE system

Materials: 2’ analog tape, 1/4” analog tape, 2 CD-Rs with jewel cases, 2 Neato labels

Turn In: 1 1/4” analog tape of the finished mix, 1 labeled CD-R of the finished mix and required paperwork

1. RECORD

· You will have 2 sessions to record tracks through the API console to the Otari MTR-90II.

· Required Tracks: Drum Kit (bass drum, snare drum, toms, high hat, cymbals), bass (electric or acoustic), Vocal, and at least 3 other instruments

· You may add any other tracks you wish to complete the song.

· You must record the rhythm section and a “scratch” vocal simultaneously. The rhythm section is to include at least a drum kit, bass, and either a guitar or keyboard instrument.

· You may not use more than 16 tracks.

· You may use as many overdub passes as necessary to record the parts.

2. MIX

· You will have 1 session to mix the tracks through the API console and print the final mix, simultaneously, to the Otari MTR10 1/4” 2-track and the Pro Tools LE System.

· Otari 2-track: Print reference tones first, then the mix. Edit the head & tail of the mix with white leader tape before and after it. Also insert leader before and after the reference tones (LEADER – TONES – LEADER – MIX – LEADER).

· Pro Tools: Using the appropriate tools, place a Fade-In at the head of the song and a Fade-Out at the tail. Normalize the mix to -.5dB. Bounce to disc as an AIFF file, then print 2 audio CDs of your final Pro Tools mix.

REQUIRED PAPERWORK FOR PROJECTS (EXAMPLES IN LAB BOOK)

· 1. Properly labeled mix CD – Use Neato Label

· 2. Properly labeled 1/4” analog tape – use label provided by RCA Studio B

· 3. Track Sheet/Microphone List (Mic List is on reverse side of Track Sheet)

· 4. Studio Layout: Show the locations of each instrument in the studio during each phase of recording. Document mic locations & mic lines.

· 5. Signal Processing Log: For both the record & mix sessions you are required to keep a log of all signal processors used, in what order (signal flow), and the settings. This includes mic preamps, compressors, noise gates, and effects. Notate all settings: reverb & delay times, name of reverb or effect program, compression ratio, threshold, etc.

· 6. EQ Processing Log: Document the EQ settings of every channel used during the mix.

· 7. Credits: Include all personnel who worked on or contributed to this session: Client, Producer, Artist, Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Musicians (and which instruments they played), Vocalists, Staff Engineer

· 8. Cue Sheets: Lyric Sheet, Separate Chord Chart. Each notated with Tape Times for major sections of the song.

· 9. Session Invoices: Total of 4 – Mix Project, Live-2Trk Project, Recording & Mixing Project (2, one for each).