MBU 4580.01 Live Recording Techniques

Ken Landers, Instructor. 

BMH#246.  460-6174. 

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

2.30PM Thursday

Class typically meets at the CEMB studios and will meet at venues as necessary.

 

 

Class Description: A study of recording techniques which involve environmental studies of acoustics. Advanced microphone techniques as related to live sound when used in a live recorded situation. The course will also provide the follow-up experience of mixing and mastering the live recorded project.

 

The students will learn the processes and the art of making studio quality live recordings.  Students will be required to analyze the sonic properties of a venue, to devise the best way to record a particular act, and to interface to various live sound reinforcement systems. This class will utilize a wide range of recording equipment including mobile trucks and flight-pack style recording systems.

 

Attendance Policy: Attendance for all shows is mandatory.  The studentÕs grades are heavily weighted according to their participation on recording live shows.  It will be difficult for students to earn good grades without their involvement in these recordings.

 

Known Class Recording Dates: (Others will be added ASAP)

Other Showcase - January 21st @ Curb Events Center

Urban Showcase - February 25th @ Curb Events Center

Best of the Best - April 8th  @ Curb Events Center

 

There will be other record dates added for this class.  Times and dates will be added as known.  If there are problems with recording dates Ð approach me about them as soon as is humanly possible.  This class will be working as a team and the actions of all involved are necessary for making a complex recording happen.

 

Topics & Assignments

 

  1. Theory of Live Recording.  Students will study the topics necessary for making a great live recording.  Topics will include but are not limited to the following:  sound reinforcement systems, powering a live recording system, transformers, active v. passive splitters, audience v. ambiance recording, dealing with live sound techs, performers, video folks, and managers, cable runs, handling video connectivity, understanding video/film systems, SMPTE, burst, synchronization, analog v. digital systems, cable characteristics, wireless systems usage (pros and cons), and others.  Students will be tested on these topics as well as using the knowledge gained in live recording situations.

 

  1. Shows.  Includes preparation (legwork, obtaining artist info, learning about the venue, venue visitation, equipment preparation), actual recording, and teardown.  Students will also be involved by mixing these recorded shows.  StudentÕs best work is required as these recordings often get used for some purpose in the future when you might not expect that it would.

 

  1. Research.  Students will do research on equipment and techniques useful for live recording. During the course of the semester, students will research and report on at least two technologies useful in or affecting live recording.  These reports will be at least 3 pages in length. Students will also work on understanding trends in the pro sound and recording industries and analyze for Òfuture-proofingÓ a live recording system.  Students will, over the course of the semester, design a portable high-quality live recording system utilizing currently available technologies.

 

  1. Reports/Presentations.  Students will complete at least 2 reports on previously live-recorded material, live recording technologies, and live recording techniques during the semester.  Each report will focus on a particular live CD or DVD recording.  These reports will be presented to the class with visual and audio reinforcement as necessary.

 

Outside Cooperation.  Unique to MBU 4580, the students will be required to handle connections with venue management, sound rental companies, and mobile truck companies.  You must handle yourself in a professional manner when dealing with people at Belmont and people from the industry alike.  Any contacts for class must be logged and a copy of the log must be turned in for credit.

 

MCMR.  For the MBU 4580 class, Belmont partners with Music Cities Mobile Recording to allow students access to and experience in a professional, working mobile recording truck.  MCMR president Gerald Gialdella has graciously worked with Belmont for to allow students this great opportunity. 

 

Grade Evaluation

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

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

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

 

            ITEM/ CRITERIA                                                      PERCENTILE

1.         Class Attendance-Participation                                                10%

2.         Exams                                                                                     20%

3.         Final Exam                                                                              20%

4.         Research Projects/Class Assignments                                     20%

5.         Group Recording Projects (participation/work)                       30%

 

 

Audit Students.  As per the current Belmont University Bulletin (catalog), students who audit are allowed to attend classes as a Ònon-participant in a non-credit, non-degree seeking status.Ó  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 BelmontÕs 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.

 

 

Student Information Sheet

 

Name:

 

Local Address:

 

 

Phone Number(s):

 

E-mail Address(es):

 

 

 

Hometown:

 

 

 

Things youÕd like to learn in this class:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extracurricular Activities (Belmont and locally Ð sports, bands, church, etc.):