COURSE SYLLABUS
Class
Location: MBC CMB B-07 Meeting Time(s): Wed. 3:30
PM 5:30 PM
Final Exam: May 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; 2 blank CD-R; 2 blank DVD-R
disks; 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 engineer two recording projects.
(#1) (By
Spring Break) 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 ) Save on
the Nuendo Record Only Drive. You will
combine this with Pjt.#2 and turn in on
a single CD Using Toast software on the Mac.
During
your tracking sessions for both projects, before breaking down, record
your board mix (rough) direct to a CD. Turn this in first class period after your
tracking session.
(#2) (Immediately
after Spring Break) 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 1. Projdect 1 will be the first song, Pjt. 2 the
second song. (Due May 1st)
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. In order to
receive an A for the assisting component of your grade, you must assist on 3
sessions (12 hours) Bonus credit may be earned by completion of more than 12
assistant hours up to a maximum of 110 points. Bonus points will be accrued @
2.5 points per hour above 12 hours. 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. Pjt 1Tracking sessions are required to use
AE2 student assistant engineers, with
the option to use 1 AE1 student as an additional assistant. Project 2 is required
to use an AE 1 assistant for tracking and overdubs. An additional assistant from
AE2 may be used as well. Pjt 2 overdubs, and project 1 & 2 mixing will
use AE2 for assisting.
**Current AE2
students will receive first opportunity to assist non-class projects.
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, to a maximum of 10 bonus
points. 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 (%) |
|
1. Class
attendance |
15 |
|
0 days absent = 100 points
credit. 1 day absent = 90 points
credit. 2 days absent = 80 points
credit. 3 days absent = 70 points
credit. 4 days absent = 60 points 5 days = Dropped from class
with F |
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2. Mid-Term exam March 15 |
15 |
|
3. Final exam TBA |
20 |
|
4.
Recording project (Grade
based on technical aspects of the project, not the music or musical
performance) |
15 |
|
5. Labs |
20 |
|
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
Topics
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Introduction,
class overview. CMB studios A & B overview. Tour of A & B wiring & equipment. Console
Operations /Patrchbay |
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Console Operations: The ins and outs of The NEVE VR- Legend console. |
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Console
Operations Comparisons Neve / SSL |
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Console Operations / SSL |
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Condenser
Microphone design and listening comparison of condenser microphone
performance Miking
Techniques. The Mid-Side technique Phase considerations |
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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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Nuendo /
Protools |
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Pro
Tools; Smpte; Time code synchronization |
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Computer automation
. SMPTE, Read, Write, and Update
.. NEVE Flying Faders |
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Computer
automation SSL Ultimation |
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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 |
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Practical
use of multiple effects Creating Space with effects 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.. |
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Mixing
Techniques Spacial Effects |
|
14 Apr 19 |
Listen to projects in class |
|
15 Apr 26 |
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 |
Tuesday Jan 17 |
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Studios
A & B |
Thursday Jan 19 |
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1 |
Large Session Set-up |
Jan 24 |
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Studios
A & B |
Jan 26 |
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2 |
Analog Protools / Nuendo Transfers |
Jan 31 |
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Radar Transfers |
Feb 2 |
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Analog Protools / Nuendo Transfers |
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2 |
Radar Transfers |
Feb 7 |
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Feb 9 |
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Spacial
Effects Processing |
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3 |
Studios
A & B |
Feb 14 |
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Feb 16 |
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3 |
Spacial
Effects Processing |
Feb 21 |
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Studios A & B |
Feb 23 |
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4 |
Advanced
Dynamic Processing |
Feb 28 |
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Studios
A & B |
Mar 2 |
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