COURSE SYLLABUS
Class
Location: MBC CMB – B-07 Meeting Time(s): Wed. 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Final Exam: Dec. TBA
Lab Sessions: Tuesday
/ Thursday 4PM – 4:50 PM
Instructor: Mr. Billy W. Prince
Contacts: Phone: 460-5553 Email: princeb@mail.belmont.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
AET 3190. Audio Engineering II (3). Prerequisite: AET 3090 and permission of instructor. A continuation of AET 3090, this course is an advanced study of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of the recording studio. Topics include advanced studio electronics and signal flow, computer-based digital recording and editing, analog and digital tape machine operations, automated console operations, condenser microphones, spatial signal processing, and the role of the audio engineer. The development of audio perception skills for recording engineers is emphasized. Lab hours required. ($30.00 course fee)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To
provide students with instruction and hands on experience in the setting of the
modern recording studio, building on the foundation of their experience in
their pre-requisite classes.
GOALS OF THE
The following
objectives will be applied toward course completion:
·
To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical
education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and
entrepreneurship.
·
To equip
students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept
responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work
environments.
·
To emphasize
quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian
principles.
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.”
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance: As per the current Undergraduate
Bulletin.
2. Supplies/Materials: You will need two texts and recording
supplies.
(1) Current edition of the Audio Engineering 2
Workbook (New Frontier Publishing).
(2) Current edition of Audio in Media by Stanley R. Alten (Wadsworth Publishing
Co.). OR your text from Survey of Recording
Technology.
You will be responsible for all
information contained in the Workbook and other readings as assigned.
(3)
Recording supplies comprising: 2-inch analog master tape (furnished); an
exabyte data storage tape for backup of RADAR recording; a DAT cassette
(Digital Audio Tape); 1/4 inch analog tape (furnished); a blank CD-R; and misc.
3.5 inch computer disk(s) as needed. A
CD label for burning your final project.
3. Participation and Prepared assignments:
You are expected to: show a sincere effort of co-operation,
participation, and self application during this course of study; read assigned
and recommended text and handouts; and fully complete ALL class, lab, homework,
and project assignments.
You are
required to produce and engineer two recording projects.
(A) Three
sessions comprising a 2-inch 30 ips analog Tracking Session in Studio A,
Transferred to PRO TOOLS (24bit 48kHz) for overdubs to be done on the PRO TOOLS
TDM in Studio C. Mixing in Studio A on
the NEVE Console, in and to ProTools and ‘bounced to disk’ (16 bit 44.1 kHz stereo interleaved) to be
burned to CD using Toast software, combined with Project 2. (Due Nov 30)
(B) Three
sessions comprising Tracking on RADAR in studio A, Overdubs in Studio B, and
Mixed on the SSL console to NUENDO bounced to disk (stereo interleaved 16 bit
44.1 KHz) Using Toast CD Burning software, make a CD containing project 1 and
project 2 respectively. (Due Nov
30)
Projects
"A" tracking, and "B" Tracking and overdubs, are required
to use Audio Engineering 1 students (AET 3090) assistant engineers. The other sessions may use Audio 2
assistants. (Pjt 1 overdubs & mixing, Pjt 2 mixing)
4.
Assistant Sessions:
In order to gain hands-on experience, you are required to serve as
assistant engineer for recording sessions in the CMB studios. Credit for assisting is based on an hourly
basis. Every assistant hour will receive
a credit of 10 points. Bonus credit may
be earned by completion of more than 10 assistant hours up to a maximum of 125
points. Credit hours will be logged via
the CMB Studio Invoice database system.
You must be properly booked on the session and sign the invoice at the
end of the session in order to receive credit.
If two (2) assistants serve one session, each assistant will receive 1/2
credit. Assisting in Studio C, Studio”
will receive 1/2 credit. Audio 2
students will receive first 3 calls to assist on all non-class projects. Also AE2 students may assist on AE project 1
mixing, and project 2 tracking and overdubs.
5. Lab Sessions: In order to gain experience with specific
tasks, you are required to participate in various lab sessions. Credit for lab participation is based on lab
hours completed. Each lab session will
earn 8 points. Bonus credit may be earned by completion of more than 12 labs, 5
bonus points may be earned for each lab
above 12. Lab sessions are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4pm 4:50 for AE2.04. The class must be split, half on Tuesday, and
half on Thursday.
6. Testing: There will be a Mid-Term and a Final Exam. Each will be comprehensive and inclusive of
all class content and assigned reading material covered to that date. NO
"MAKE-UP" TESTs.
7. Basis of grade
evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Participation credits are listed on the
following
page.
8. Basis of final grade evaluation: Scale as per current Undergraduate
Bulletin, (Vol. 50).
|
Item |
Credit Percentile (%) |
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1. Class
attendance |
15 |
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0 days absent = 100 points
credit. 1 day absent = 88 points
credit. 2 days absent = 76 points
credit. 3 days absent = 64 points
credit. 4 days absent =
Dropped from class with F |
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2.
Mid-Term exam |
15 |
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3. Final
exam |
20 |
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4.
Recording project (Grade
based on technical aspects of the project, not the music or musical
performance) |
15 |
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5. Labs |
20 |
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6.
Assistant Sessions |
15 |
9. 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 Center for Music Business
studios. Students who audit will not be
given a report topic, recording project,
or allowed to assist as second engineer on project recording sessions. In addition, since auditing is a non-credit
status, participation as an audit will not meet the minimum qualifications for
booking and participating in recording sessions held in the Center for Music
Business Studios.
10. Class Schedule: Class Topic
|
1 Aug 24 |
Introduction,
class overview. CMB studios A & B overview. Tour of A & B wiring & equipment. Condenser
Microphones |
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2 Aug 31 |
Condenser
Microphone design and listening comparison of condenser microphone
performance Miking Techniques.
The Mid-Side technique Phase considerations |
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3 Sep 7 |
Console Operations: The ins and outs of The NEVE VR- Legend console. Console
comparisons Neve & |
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4 Sep 14 |
Console
Operations Neve VR |
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5 Sep 21 |
Console
Operations Comparisons Neve / SSL |
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6 Sep 28 |
Digital
Recording: Various Formats: Sony PCM-3348 digital recorder--advance,
assemble, and insert modes.; RADAR
operations. A/D and D/D Transfers.. |
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7 Oct 5 |
Pro
Tools; SMPTE Lock & Chase; mixing and
bouncing to disk, |
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8 Oct 12 |
Mid Term Exam Intro to Computer automation
. SMPTE, Read, Write, and Update |
|
9 Oct 19 |
Computer
automation. NEVE Flying Faders SSL
Ultimation |
|
10 Oct 26 |
Sound
localization in 3-D through the use of head-related transfer. (HRTF)..
Spatial processing and
binaural hearing: Jeffress's neural model of auditory Psychoacoustics: Sound
in an enclosed space, the precedence effect and echo suppression processing,
the duplex theory, and Mill's minimum audible angle (MAA. ). units.. |
|
11 Nov 2 |
Mixing
Techniques – Practical use of multiple effects Creating Space with effects |
|
12 Nov 9 |
Mixing
Techniques – setting up the mix – headroom – effects – gates – expanders -
compressors Compressing or limiting the mix Dynamic Processing – Compressors
/ Gates / Expanders External Keying /
Ducking/ d-essing |
|
13 Nov 16 |
Project 2 due Listen to projects in
class all materials with supporting paperwork |
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14 Nov 30 |
Review For Final Exam |
Audio Engineering Lab Schedule Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 4 PM
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LAB |
SCHEDULE |
CREDIT |
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1 |
Large Session Set-up |
Thursday Sep 1 |
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Studios
A & B |
Tuesday Sep 6 |
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1 |
Large Session Set-up |
Sep
8 |
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Studios
A & B |
Sep 13 |
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2 |
Analog – Protools Transfers |
Sep 15 |
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Radar Transfers |
Sep 20 |
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Analog – Protools Transfers |
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2 |
Radar Transfers |
Sep 22 |
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Sep 27 |
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Computer
Automation |
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3 |
Studios A & B |
Sep 29 |
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Oct 4 |
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3 |
Computer
Automation |
Oct 6 |
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Studios A & B |
Oct 11 |
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4 |
Spacial
Effects Processing |
Oct 20 |
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Studios
A & B |
Oct 18 |
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4 |
Spacial
Effects Processing |
Oct 27 |
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Studios
A & B |
Oct 25 |
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5 |
Advanced |
Nov 3 |
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Dynamic
Processing |
Nov 1 |
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Studios
A & B |
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5 |
Advanced |
Nov 10 |
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Dynamic
Processing |
Nov 8 |
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Studios
A & B |
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6 |
Analog
Tape Machine |
Nov 17 |
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Calibration |
Nov 15 |
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6 |
Analog
Tape Machine |
Dec 1 |
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Calibration |
Nov 22 |
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7 |
Bonus
Lab |
Nov 29 |
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Dec 6 |
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Accommodation of Disabilities:
In compliance
with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities
Act,
AE 2 Project Criteria Detail
Paperwork: Each project session will be booked in
advance on the schedule in RED. A Work order will be submitted
containing pre-production information, and other vital information about your
session. This must be done at least one
week in advance of your first project session in order to get confirmed status
(GREEN) Your project will be graded using this
criteria sheet and your syllabus as the standard. Paperwork will consist of 60%
of your project, and your
recording will be 40%. Procedure and
organization will be exemplified in your work.
Paperwork will be as follows:
1. Obtain the yellow copy of each session invoice from the studio staff person at
the end of each session. This will be
turned in with other project materials.
2. Make a detailed studio layout of your
tracking and overdub sessions. A floor
layout will be provided for Studio A & B. (Make a sketch of you overdub
session in C on the back of your studio
A layout for Pjt. 1) Indicate the position of each instrument you record and
the microphones that you use.
3. Turn in a completed Track Sheet of each
project. Include notes such as effects
and locate numbers. Be sure to fill out
the back of the track sheet with mics, lines, and channels assigned to.
4. A sheet containing dynamics, and effects
processing for each mix – 2 provided.
(Projects 1 and 2).
5. A lyric sheet of each song recorded. At the beginning of every line write the
locate number of the recorder. Be
careful to indicate the writer of music and words and the publisher and PRO if
applicable.
6. A Chord chart (preferably the Nashville
number system) of each song.
7. A separately typed credit sheet listing all
musicians, writers, engineer, producer, assistant engineer, and staff engineer,
Song title, length of song, Publisher, and PRO, info. (If none, so state)
8. A properly labeled CD containing two
songs, Project 1 & 2 respectively.
You may use the software,
printer, and PC at the desk in the CMB to make your CD label. The software is called
“Click ‘N Design” You will
have to furnish your own label, or if you wish, you may use a printable CD.
*The neatness and
organization of your documentation and paperwork will comprise 60% of your
project grade.
Recording:
Project #1:
Will consist of (1) Analog 30 IPS Tracking Session in Studio A, (Transfer to
PRO-TOOLS for overdubs and mixing) (1) Overdub Session Studio C, and (1) Mix
Session Studio A. These sessions will be
performed in CMB Studio A in order to gain experience on the Neve console. Project #1 will be mixed to two tracks in
protocols and bounced to disk 44.1 kHz 16 bit stereo interleaved. Make sure to Normalize before bouncing to disk.
Project #2 Will consist of (1) Tracking Session In
Studio A Radar . (1) Overdub Session, and (1) Mix Session in Studio B (SSL
Console). Project 2 will be mixed to
stereo tracks into Nuendo, saved on the Firewire record drive on the Mac
G4 and “bounced to disk” stereo
interleaved, 16 bit, 44.1 kHz. The
bounce data from Project #1 will be combined with the bounce data from Project
#2 and
“burned” to CD using the Toast CD software. Song 1, (pjt. 1) and Song 2, (pjt. 2.) Your CD
must be clearly labeled with printed label.
Be careful to use the grade sheet as a guide and check list for your
paperwork..
** Any deviation from this procedure will result in points deducted..