MUSIC 157 Audio Production II

Credits:

Location: Room A154 [Midi Lab]

Class days and time: MWF 10:30-11:20

Instructor: Kelly Kunz           

Office: A158                          

Office Hour: by appointment

email: Kelly.kunz@bellevuecollege.edu

Studio Phone:

Class website: accessible through your MYBC page

 

MUSIC 157—Audio Production I [General Description]

Course will cover advanced recording techniques, and will further explore and develop the miking and audio editing techniques covered in Audio 156.  Students will learn all phases of producing a musical project from organization, assembling talent, proper pre-production practices, collaboration with artists and/or song writers, production strategies during a recording session and mixing the final product.  Topics covered and/or discussed, will also include securing recording rights as well as possible future employment opportunities in the recording/digital audio industry.  Enrollment in the class entitles the student to access the midi lab and recording studio as available during posted hours.  Course requires each student to either work in tandem with a partner, or individually produce a major production project as well as successfully completing all assigned class projects.

           

Text:

1.    Pro Tools 101

                        Alten & Wadsworth, ISBN-13: 9780077254940

 

Additional Requirements:

1.    Stereo Headphones, or, a stereo mini plug to ¼” adapter.

2.    USB Flash Drive [at least 2 GB] or some other portable storage drive.

 

Outcomes from Course to include:

1.    Understand different microphone types & patterns.

2.    Understand and demonstrate usage of advanced headphone monitoring system.

3.    Understand and demonstrate how to engineer and produce multiple performers in a recording environment.

4.    Understand and demonstrate how to use practical aspects of the Digidesign C|24 console-controller.

5.    Understand and demonstrate how to use digital audio plug-ins for audio tracking and mixing.

6.    Understand and demonstrate how to mic up a full band and other assorted musical combinations.  Including the use of DI’s and other assorted microphone techniques.

7.    Demonstrate fundamental operational techniques in Pro Tools software due to it being a primary industry standard.

8.    Demonstrate an understanding of digital pathways

9.    Demonstrate thorough understanding in using digital auxiliary busses

10.   Demonstrate effective mixing practices, including effective musical balancing and effective use of EQ.

 

Topics to be covered in course:

Basic Audio recording review

Effective use of Pro Tools Edit and Mix groups

Effectively managing computer resources

Working with Elastic Audio and Beat Detective

Using Pro Tools Automation

Techniques for Recording and Overdubbing audio

   Auto Punching

   Layering

   Effective monitoring and headphone mixes

   When to use Stereo vs. Mono

Using Plug-ins

Using Virtual Instruments

Effective use of grouping for mixing purposes

Effective evaluative and listening skills

Developing effective communication skills within the session

           

Important Dates (Holidays and other days off):

January: Monday, 1/3 - Winter Quarter Starts!

January: Tuesday, 1/4 - Monday 1/10 (no classes).  Instructor will be out on Tour to New Orleans Jazz Educators Convention. Class will resume Tuesday, 1/11.

January: Monday, 1/17 - Martin Luther King Holiday (no classes)

January: Friday, 1/28 - Professional Development Day (no classes)

February: Thursday and Friday, 2/10 & 2/11 Instructor out on Tour - Boise Jazz Festival (no classes)

February: Monday, 2/21 - Holiday (no classes)

March: Friday, 3/18 - Instructor out on Tour to Arizona Jazz Concert Series (no class)

March: Friday, 3/18 - Winter Quarter Ends

Final Projects Due: Wednesday, 3/23/11 NO LATER THAN 10 AM.

 

Grading Criteria: (Class attendance is required for a passing grade)

Class participation, in-class quizzes, on-class activities, homework assignments & projects –50%

   Each assignment given in class is given with the intent to provide the student with a “hands on” learning experience as it relates to the different areas and topics covered in class.  Timely and successful completion of each assignment is required.  Quizzes will be given only when or if deemed appropriate by the instructor.  Individual engineering and production skills practiced and or studied and discussed in class will typically be tested on an individual basis.  Successful completion of these individual assessments will be required to successfully complete this course.

 

   As determined in class, detailed journals/reports outlining the goings on and results of students recording sessions will be due following each studio session. These will be pass: (A) fail (F) grades.

 

Projects –50%

   Productions projects are of primary significance in this course.  It is the student’s opportunity to ultimately tie together and demonstrate the concepts developed throughout the quarter.  Emphasis is placed on the successful and thorough planning, timely execution and completion of professional level recording projects.  Not completing these projects and submitting them on time will result in a failing grade.

 

Not adhering to the studio and lab etiquette requirements and expectations associated with this course will result in revocation of studio privileges and thus, a failing grade.

 

Recording Studio Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 2:30-9:00 PM

Friday: 4-7 PM

Saturday/Sunday: Noon – 6 PM

 

Recording Projects: IMPORTANT!

Students from Audio 157 must get the majority of their studio time completed during the 1st 7 to 8 weeks of the quarter as the last 3 or 4 weeks are primarily set aside for Audio 156 students.

 

Minimum Studio Requirements: a minimum of 3 meaningful sessions is required of each student.  This can be a tracking, or a mixing session.

 

Studio Time/Session Limitations:  Students must schedule studio time with the understanding that there are approximately 20 other students also trying to use the studio.  Please do not book sessions of more than 4 hours in length without clearing it with the instructor.  That being said, studio time will be given on a first come, first serve basis, so scheduling recording/studio time at the beginning of the quarter and pre-planning your quarterly projects is very important.

 

Signing up for Studio Time:

Be sure to put your phone number on the studio calendar.  If you are running late, call the studio monitor on duty to let them know your status.

 

BC Policies

 

Student Responsibility:

Instructors may, at their discretion, agree to accept student work that is submitted in various ways, including in person, to the division office, or via e-mail.  It is the student’s responsibility to verify that all assignments are actually received by the instructor, whether they are submitted in person or electronically.

 

It is the student's responsibility, not the instructor's, to initiate communication about progress or concerns with the course.  Instructors are under no obligation to inform students that work is over-due, to nag students to complete assignments, or to call students who fail to attend class.  Similarly, students need to keep themselves informed about syllabus changes that may have been made in class.  We suggest finding a partner the first week of classes and keeping each other up to date if one is absent.

 

MUS 157 Attendance Policy: Since this course covers many different aspects of audio production including music software, recording hardware, digital musical editing techniques and recording techniques, it is not in the students best interest to miss class.  If student is sick or has a family emergency it is the students responsibility to inform the instructor via e-mail.   Any student that misses an in-class quiz, without prior notification, will not be given a make-up opportunity.  If a student is given a make-up opportunity, the make-up quiz/exam must occur within 7 days.

 

 

BC Attendance policy:

Attendance at all scheduled class meetings is mandatory.  This requirement is particularly meant to apply to courses that are designated for classroom delivery, although distance education courses may also have certain attendance requirements. This requirement is intended 1) to prevent instructors from having to adjudicate individual excuses, and 2) to recognize that excuses are ultimately irrelevant both here at BC and in the workplace.

 

While specific attendance requirements are up to individual faculty members, the Arts and Humanities Division recognizes that attending class and participating actively are perhaps the most important way in which students can set themselves up for success.  Conversely, not attending class almost certainly leads to failure.

 

Students in performance courses (Drama, Music, etc.) are reminded that attendance builds the professional relationship necessary between partners or in working groups.

 

In order for students to be eligible for a grade in a course, they must not miss more than ten classes, or 20% of the total class time scheduled, for any reason.  When absences go beyond ten, instructors may a) give a grade of "F" for the course, or b) lower the final grade as much as they see fit.  This does not imply that you may be absent fewer than ten times or 20% without seeing an effect on your grade; indeed, we wish to emphasize that any absence undermines your progress and will result in your having to work harder to catch up.  Ten absences or 20% is merely the figure beyond which you cannot go without risking your eligibility for a course grade.  In cases of legitimate hardship, students may also request that instructors grant a “HW” (hardship withdrawal), which is a non-credit grade. 

 

In summary, when you are absent from a class more than ten times or 20% in any given quarter, you may receive a failing grade.  Whatever written policy an instructor has in the syllabus will be upheld by the Arts and Humanities Division in any grievance process.