MUS 344 102Z Acoustics and Recording Techniques
Monday 4:00 – 6:30 PM Phillips Fine Arts 220 & 19, Jacksonville University, Spring 2021
Instructor: Dr. Mark Snyder msnyder3@ju.edu Office Hours: MTR 2:00 – 4:00 PM Phillips Fine Arts 118
This syllabus is informational in nature and is not an express or implied contract. It is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, as a result of any circumstance outside the University’s control, or as other needs arise. If, in the University’s sole discretion, public health conditions or any other matter affecting the health, safety, upkeep or wellbeing of our campus community or operations requires the University to move to remote teaching, alternative assignments may be provided so that the learning objectives for the course, as determined by the faculty and the University, can still be met. The University does not guarantee specific in-person, on-campus classes, activities, opportunities, or services or any other particular format, timing, or location of education, classes, activities, or services.
COVID-19 & SOCIAL DISTANCING PROCEDURES
- Face coverings are required in all classroom buildings on campus at all times.
- This class is delivered face to face in the classroom and virtually (synchronously) via Blackboard Collaborate.
- Depending on the number of students in the class and the size of the classroom, students may be assigned specific days to attend in class versus virtually (via Bb Collaborate). Classes that meet two days a week may choose to have 1/2 of the students attend the face-to-face class on one day and the other half on the second day. Classes that meet three times a week may choose to have 1/3 of the students attend the in-class session each day. Classes that meet one time each week may choose to alternate weeks and have half of the students attend each week. These restrictions (if imposed) are based on following social distancing guidelines and are determined based on class size and classroom size. On days when students are assigned not to attend the face-to-face sessions, they should attend class virtually via Blackboard on the same days and time. Students may not independently choose to attend all class sessions virtually without the appropriate accommodation from the Disability Support Services office (see COVID-19 Accommodations below).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to Acoustics and Recording Techniques. The course will introduce you to the basics of audio recording and the Jacksonville University Recording Studio. You’ll get to research the best methods to record each week and test your findings using different microphones/techniques and processors. You will get to record a duo for your midterm and a full band for your final!
COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will:
- Experience recording all types of instruments and ensembles.
- Gain a basic introduction to microphone placement.
- An understanding of recording many different instruments in multiple ways.
- An understanding of recording studios, acoustic treatment and elementary acoustics.
- Develop skills in audio recording as it is used in music, film and other media applications.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the main components of the recording process.
- Record music in a multitrack environment.
- Understand different microphones, polar patterns and proper placement.
- List and describe the signal chain and its importance.
- Experiment with the recording process by applying new, different, or divergent approaches to it based on sound research methods.
- Make the best recording based on the room they are in and the equipment they have.
- Properly use microphones, mixers, processors and recorders.
- Understand the basics of mastering, and proper studio procedures.
ASSIGNMENT DECSRIPTIONS:
Homework 20%
In addition to the readings, there will be a weekly recording project that you and your partner will complete and upload to Blackboard. You will begin by researching different techniques for recording each instrument and experiment with at least three different techniques and document your results giving your own analysis and opinions once completed.
Projects 30%
There are two projects that will demonstrate what you have learned from the readings, class discussions and your own research. The first project is will be a duo recording of guitar or piano and voice that you will record, mix and master. Your final project, you will be combined with another group and will be working with a full band that you will record, mix and master.
Tests 20%
There will be written midterm and final exams demonstrating your understanding of our readings and information provided in class.
Quizzes 15%
In addition to periodic quizzes to ensure materials are read before coming to class, there are six quizzes the first few weeks of the semester that students take to demonstrate proficiencies in using the studio and its equipment.
- Cable Wrapping
- Microphone Identification
- Microphone Set up
- Creating a Studio Session in a DAW
- Proper start up and Shutdown Procedures
- Proper Gain Stage
These six quizzes are Pass/Fail and are required to be able to use the studio. (Don’t worry, you can take them as many times as you need, and failures do not count against your grade!)
Participation 15%
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and the critiques of projects that occur when these projects are played in class. Failure to do so will lower your participation grade. Critiques are designed to offer insights, suggestions for improvement and support to encourage you to improve your work. Each of you will provide an affective grade for each of final projects that is averaged in with my affective grade and feedback.
In addition to the above requirements, participation will be measured against the following criteria:
- Contribute original thoughts or ideas to the critiques.
- Give relevant reasons to validate points.
- Demonstrate openness to divergent points of view.
- Be respectful of the perceptions of others.
- Integrate material from previous units to formulate ideas and generate dialogue.
Assessments
Projects will be graded by timeliness and the fulfillment of the requirements and the objectives.
Expectations
Students will be expected to spend an average of six hours per week working on assignments and creating music in conjunction with the readings. All work will be completed and turned in on time. All readings in the schedule below will need to be completed before the class meeting of the week.
FORMAT
- Lecture will be integrated with student presentations and discussions of textbook reading and primary literature.
- Students will be expected to participate in class.
- Most of class time will be used for discussion, demonstration and critique. In the interest of congregating for the least amount of time inside, you are expected to do the listening/viewing of each other’s work before coming to class.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Mic It! – Ian Corbett ISBN: 978-0-415-82377-7 (Makes sure you get the first edition! Second edition came out 12/29/2020 so not enough time to adapt to the new text)
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
- Memory Stick or Hard Drive for storing & backing up your projects.
- Studio quality headphones. Pick a pair from the list below. They don’t need to be from Sweetwater.
GRADING:
A 95-100%
A− 90-94%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B− 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C− 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D− 60-62%
F LESS THAN 60%
https://www.ju.edu/registrar/grading-information.php
POLICIES
- Attendance: Students are asked to sign an attendance sheet (We will do this virtually since this is a pandemic) at the beginning of each class, although no formal penalty will be assessed for poor attendance. Due to the uncertainty that COVID-19 presents, extended absences may be necessary due to either illness or quarantine. Please work with the Student Life office to report your individual situation.
- Make-Up Exams/Work: Each student is directly responsible for absences and for making up missed work. Arrangements for making up exams can be made because of illness, mandatory religious obligations, or other unavoidable circumstances or University activities. The excused absences will not be counted against the attendance/participation grade either.
- Using Electronic Devices: The use of laptop computers, tablets, cell phones, or any other electronic devices during class is encouraged but you must ask for permission to make audio or video recordings of lectures.
- Late work: All work must be turned in on time unless arrangements were made previous to when they were due.
- Studio: Booking, Inventory, Guides and use policies can be found in the course menu. Failure to follow and adhere to Jacksonville University Recording Studio policies can result in the loss of studio privileges.
- Academic Honesty: Any act of academic misconduct in this course will result in an F for the assignment involved. To see examples of what counts as academic misconduct, as well as the university-level consequences for academic misconduct, look to JU’s policy atwww.ju.edu/academicintegrity.
SCHEDULE OF READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS
Jan 25 Introduction to the course, recording studio, equipment and policies. Audio Basics and Good Sound. Read Chapters 1, 2 plus pages 2-24, 30-38 & 46-62 of Neve manual. Studio Procedures and Practices.
Feb 01 Microphones, the effect of their position & basic studio introduction continued. Read Chapters 3, 7 plus pages 63-111 of Neve manual. Start scouting for a duo to record for Project I.
Feb 08 Stereo Imaging and the Recording Room. Read Chapters 5, 8 and pages 112-122, 131-133, 158-167 & 201-225 of Neve manual. Neve Console Test!
Feb 15 Beyond the basics and recording vocals. Male & Female voice recordings due. Read Chapters 9 and 13. Confirm duo to record for Project I.
Feb 22 Stereo Arrays, recording guitars, basses and keyboards. Acoustic Guitar Recording due. Read Chapters 6 and 11.
Mar 01 Setting up the Studio and putting it all together. Piano Recordings due. Read Chapters 14 and 16.
Mar 08 Midterm
Mar 15 Duo Project due! Mar 22 EQ and Compression, Listening in Class. Read Chapter 4 and Compression materials. Electric Guitar and Bass Recording due. Start Scouting Bands for Final Project.
Mar 29 Drum Miking. Read Chapter 10. Drum Set Recording due.
Apr 05 String, Winds, Brass and Percussion. Read Chapter 12. Brass Recording due. Start Recording Basic Tracks for Final Project.
Apr 12 Tips from the Professionals and Effects. Read Chapter 17 and Effects materials. Woodwind Recording due. Apr 19 Miking Large Ensembles. Read Chapter 15. Strings Recording due.
Apr 26 Review & Final Exam.
May 03 Exam Time Final Project Due and Listening.
***The above schedule is approximate. We may be ahead or behind a day or two. Check the Assignments on Blackboard for due dates***
ACADEMIC HONESTY
“Members of the Jacksonville University community are expected to foster and uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity, which are foundations for the intellectual endeavors we engage in.
- underscore the importance of truth, honesty, and accountability, students and instructors should adhere to the following standard:
- my honor as a student of Jacksonville University, I promise to uphold the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in all my dealings with faculty, staff, and students.”
Academic misconduct occurs when a student engages in an action that is deceitful, fraudulent, or dishonest regarding any type of academic assignment that is intended to or results in an unfair academic advantage. In this context, the term “assignment” refers to any type of graded or ungraded work that is submitted for evaluation for any course. Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, collusion, falsification, misrepresentation, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, copying another student’s work, using or providing unauthorized notes or materials, turning in work not produced by the individual, and plagiarism. Furthermore, providing deceitful, fraudulent, or dishonest information during discussions of an academic manner with faculty are also examples of academic misconduct.” (Jacksonville University Academic Catalog)
Throughout this course we will be reading and reporting about the work of others. All information that is not original to the student must be appropriately attributed in both presentations and written work. All students are expected to do their own work and give appropriate credit for all sources used in the process of preparing papers, presentations, and homework assignments. Group assignments will be graded based on the product of the work, although some adjustment may be made for participation. [If you have a question about whether or not collaboration is allowed, or how to cite a reference, please ask. It is always better to check than to be accused of an unintended violation of the academic honesty policy.] Violations of the academic honesty policy will be dealt with in accordance to university policies [Refer to current Academic Catalog “Academic Integrity and Misconduct”].
Course Level Penalties: A first offense may result in a failing grade for the assignment. Second offenses may result in failure in the course. Significantly egregious violations may result in expulsion from the university. When in doubt give credit for all information that did not come directly out of your head!
COVID-19 Accommodations
Students requesting accommodations due to COVID-19 must work with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office. This office is located on the third floor of the Davis Student Commons, room 336. The office can also be contacted through their website (https://www.ju.edu/disabilityservices/index.php). This includes any request to complete class remotely.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
Students with a documented disability requesting classroom accommodations or modifications, either permanent or temporary, resulting from the disability are encouraged to register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office. This office will assist in recommending accommodations that eliminate barriers in academic coursework and/or guide you through the different supportive mechanisms that we have to offer. This office is located on the third floor of the Davis Student Commons, room 336. The office can also be contacted through their website (https://www.ju.edu/disabilityservices/index.php).
Note: Students are encouraged to register with the DSS office at the beginning of the term and/or prior (if/when possible), as accommodations are not provided retroactively.
