MUSC 384 - AUDIO ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY I
Course Syllabus: Spring 2006

Mondays 6:00 - 7:40 PM, Lipinsky 011

Professor Wayne J. (Doc) Kirby
kirby@unca.edu
Office: Lipinsky 26
Telephone: 251-6489

Office Hours:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 -  2:30; other times by appointment

AUDIO I STUDENTS:

We will be going to Echo Mountain Recording on Monday, April 24 at 6:20.

Our vist to Echo Mountain Recording is on!! Directions can be found
at: Echo Mountain Recording Directions Link

I have also posted a copy of the directions on the bulletin board
outside 011. Please meet in the parking lot before 6:20. The tour
begins at 6:30 sharp.
Echo Mountain Recording
14 N. French Broad Ave.
My cell: 216-5629
Doc

1: Start out going SOUTHWEST on W T WEAVER BLVD toward BROADWAY ST N. 0.2 miles
2: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT. <0.1 miles
3: Turn LEFT onto BROADWAY ST S. 1.0 miles
4: Merge onto I-240 W / US-70 W. 0.2 miles
5: Take the MONTFORD AVE exit- EXIT 4C- toward HAYWOOD ST. 0.1 miles
6: Turn LEFT onto MONTFORD AVE. <0.1 miles
7: Turn LEFT onto HAYWOOD ST. <0.1 miles
8: Turn RIGHT onto N FRENCH BROAD AVE. 0.1 miles
9: End at 14 N French Broad Ave
Asheville, NC 28801-2602, US

Course Description: This course presents the theoretical foundations of modern recording including the study of microphones, loudspeakers, signal processors, recording systems, equalizers and filters.

Article Presentations: Students will be required to present two (2) five to ten minute presentations on current journal or magazine articles. These presentations will be based upon a brief written synopsis of the article. This written and typed synopsis must then be submitted to the instructor. The content of the chosen article must include several relevant points describing technology, techniques, or industry happenings, past or present, relating to the audio engineering industry. If the chosen material is non-current, it must have historical importance. If the chosen material is current, it must be new or "cutting edge".

Tests: Tests will be based upon the assigned reading and lectures. These tests cannot be made up if missed.

Research Paper: A five (5) page research paper will be required for this course. This paper should be double-spaced and in an appropriate college style. The proposed topic, outline and proposed bibliography for this paper must be submitted  NO LATER than 6:00 March 13 in hardcopy. The topic for this paper should be relevant to modern recording technology and/or techniques.Deadline for submission of the paper is 6:00 April 24. Note: The paper should be emailed to kirby@unca.edu as a MS WORD attachment and in hardcopy.

Grading: Students are evaluated as follows:

Article Presentations & Class Participation: 10%
Tests: 45%
Research Paper: 15%
Final Exam: 30%

Grading Scale: A = 93 - 100; A- = 90 - 92; B+ = 87 - 89; B = 83 - 86; B- = 80 - 82; C+ = 77 - 79; C = 73 - 76; C- = 70 - 72; D+ = 67 - 69; D = 60 - 66; F < 60

Prerequisites: MUSC 131 Introductory Theory (Multimedia Majors) or MUSC 231 Theory I (Music Technology Majors); and PHYS 102 Physics of Sound and Music.

Corequisites: MUSC 384 Audio Engineering Technology I and MUSC 385 Recording Studio Practicum I must be taken together.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class; students arriving after attendance has been taken will be noted as absent for grading purposes. Each student is responsible for all information presented class. If a student is late or absent, he or she should contact a classmate for an update. Tests will be given at the beginning of class Tests cannot be made up. PLEASE NOTE: beepers and cell phones must be turned off during class; lectures and presentations may not be recorded.

Required Text: Modern Recording Techniques (6th edition) by Huber. Bring text and notebook to all class meetings.

Schedule of Topics
Note: Schedule may change at the discretion of the instructor

Mon 1-23 Studio Lab Schedule; Studio Orientation; Signal routing; tracking; playback

Mon 1-30 Chapter 1 Introduction;  Chapter 2 Sound and Hearing; Chapter 11 Audio Production Console (Patch Bay; Overdubbing; Punch-ins)

Mon 2-6 VISIT TO SONOPRESS click here for directions.

Mon 2-13 Reading due: Chapter 4  Microphones: Design and Application; Click Here for Microphone Study Guide. Review Chapters 2 & 11.

Mon 2-20 TEST # 1: Audio Production Console (Chapters 2 and 11); Chapter 4 - Microphones: Design and Application  Practicum: Editing; Bouncing to Disc; Backing up sessions

Mon 2-27 Chapter 16: Studio Session Procedures (Stereo Micing  techniques)

Mon 3-6 Spring Break 

Mon 3-13 TEST # 2: Microphones (Chapter 4); Student Presentations #1

Mon 3-20 Chapter 12: Signal Processors (Filters and Equalizers; mixing techniques) Click here for EQ info

Mon 3-27 Chapter 12 (cont’d): Signal Processors (Gates, Limiters; Expanders; Compressors; mixing techniques)  Click here for Comp/Gate Info

Mon 4-3 TEST # 3: Signal Processors (Chapter 12) ; Read: Chapter 5: The Analog Tape Recorder (Analog tape)

Mon 4-10 Session with live band 

Mon 4-17 Chapter 10 Amplifiers; Chapter 13 Noise Reduction; Chapter 14 Monitoring (Students' Multitrack Projects-in-Progress; play mix "reference" recordings).

Mon 4-24 Echo Mountain Recording at 6:30. 14 N. French Broad Ave. It's in the church on the corner of Patton and French Broad. 828-232-4314.

Mon 5-1  Chapter 3 Studio Acoustics; Student Presentations #2 - NOTE: Seniors Take Final Exam  & present final projects (Grades Due on Friday May 3)

Wed 5/3 Final Exam; Listen to final projects