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MUS 340
INTRODUCTION TO RECORDING TECHNIQUES
3 Credit Hours
TR 11:00 Room 201
Instructor: Prof. Christopher Kozak
Moody Music Building, Room 201
205-348-6333, 205-348-1473 (fax)
ckozak@music.ua.edu
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Offered biennially
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an examination of the art of audio recording.
The curriculum will cover signal flow of the mixing console
as it applies to both recording and sound reinforcement; microphones
and techniques of application; use of sonic effects; recording
devices (Analog, Digital, and Hard Disk); synchronization formats;
etc.
COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
To give the student a basic comprehension of audio recording
technology and the skills to apply their knowledge in a variety
of settings. The student will also be expected to understand
terminology, creative use of effects, mixdown procedures, digital
editing techniques.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Practical Recording Techniques, 2nd ed., Bruce & Jenny Bartlett.
Focal Press: Boston, MA: 1998.
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS:
Weekly assignments and readings will be given as new techniques
and principles are discussed in class. Assignments will be
due the next class time and discussed in depth. As the class
progresses, the students will be given lab time in the Jazz
Studio for practice and application of material covered in
class. Although not required, it is strongly suggested that
the students take advantage of the lab times. The students
(as a group) will also engineer two different recording sessions
during the course. Other recording sessions for MUS
310 and
MUS 510 will take place outside of class time. Recording students
are encouraged to participate when possible. The students will
also be responsible for a 10 page research paper. Details of
paper will be discussed in clas
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be a mid-term and a final examination (comprehensive
of the entire semester). The main purpose of the examinations
is to verify that the students comprehend the techniques and
principles taught in class and can readily apply them in a
short period of time. There will be quizzes in written format
and/or laboratory format.
GRADING PROCEDURES & POLICIES:
Assessment of the student's work is based on the following
criteria:
- Comprehension and command of material covered in the course.
- Command of terminology.
- Comprehension of the studio as a whole.
- The ability to utilize the equipment correctly and effectively
in a timely manner as needed in the recording/mix down session.
GRADING SYSTEM:
The student's final grade will be drawn from grades received for each component
of the course:
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Grades: |
| Term Paper |
15% |
95%-100% = A |
| Recording Sessions |
15% |
90%-94% = A- |
| Mix-down Session |
15% |
86%-89% = B+ |
| Quizzes |
15% |
82%-85% = B |
| Mid-Term Exam. |
15% |
79%-81% = B- |
| Final Exam. |
25% |
75%-78% = C+ |
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71%-74% = C |
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68%-70% = C- |
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64%-67% = D+ |
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60%-63% = D |
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57%-59% = D- |
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0%-56% = F |
TERM PAPER:
The student will be responsible for a 5-10 page paper at the
end of the semester. The topic: the design of a project studio
for $10,000. The premise of the paper is for the student to
research catalogs, studios, the internet, etc. and find equipment
spec's and prices that are common to the industry and to design
a complete project studio. Due the last day of classes.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance of all classes and recording sessions is expected.
Three absences from class will result in lowering the final grade
by one letter. Any extenuating curcumstances must be immediately
discussed with Thomas Wolfe. There will not be any make-up quizzes
or examinations
COURSE OUTLINE:
This is subject to change, dependent on the needs and progress
of the class.
| Classes |
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| Week 1/2: |
Acoustics and the nature of
sound.
Chapter 3 |
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| Week 2: |
Signal flow of the mixing console.
Chapters 12 & 13 |
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| Week 3/1: |
Jazz Studio configuration.
Chapter 2 |
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| Week 3/2: |
Studio/Lab Review.
Chapter |
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| Week 4/1: |
Microphones; types and basic techniques.
Chapters 6-8 |
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| Week 4/2: |
Instrumentation microphone techniques.
Chapters 6-8 |
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| Week 5/1: |
Tape recorders; analog and digital.
Chapters 9 & 10 |
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| Week 5/2: |
Recording session.
Chapter 14 |
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| Week 6/1: |
Recording session.
Chapter 14 |
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| Week 6/2: |
Time based effects: Reverb.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 7/1: |
Time based effects: Reverb.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 7/2: |
Time based effects: Delay, Chorus, Flange,
Doubling, etc.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 8/1: |
Mid-Term Examination. |
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| Week 8/2: |
Amplitude based effects; compressors, limiters,
expanders, etc.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 9/1: |
Amplitude based effects; compressors, limiters,
expanders, etc.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 9/2: |
Equalization.
Chapter 11 |
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| Week 10/1: |
Mixdown Principles (Studio Config.)
Chapter 19 |
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| Week 10/2: |
Recording Session |
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| Week 11/1: |
Recording Session |
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| Week 11/2 |
Digital technology; tape based and hard
disk.
Chapters 10 & 16 |
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| Week 12/1 |
Monitors.
Chapter 4 |
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| Week 12/2 |
Noise reduction.
Chapters 5 & 9 |
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| Week 13/1 |
Advanced techniques: synchronization, patchbay,
system interface, etc.
Chapter 2, Appendice B |
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| Week 13/2 |
Consumer product format; LP, cassette, CD
releases |
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| Week 14 |
Continued mixdown times. |
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| Week 15: |
Review of mix down projects. |
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