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Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC-1405 (Section: 01, CRN: 90431) Live Sound I |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Emmanuel Saldana | ||||||||
| saldanaej@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6520 | ||||||||
| Office | Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 144 | ||||||||
| Office Hours | T TH 10:30am- 2:30PM F 10:30am - 2:30PM |
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| Additional Contact Information | 409 300 7630 | ||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| Description | An overview of the field of live sound. Includes principles of live sound and the theory and interconnection of the components of a sound reinforcement system. | ||||||||
| Required Textbooks |
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
The Ultimate Live Sound Operators Handbook, Third Edition ISBN- 13: 9781538133170 |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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| Learning Outcomes |
Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work, collaborate and plan strategically with others to support a shared purpose or goal. Also command an authority and discipline to consider different workflows and solutions to problems.
Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate effective oral, visual and written communication in technical and also intrapersonal practice.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate knowledge of sound related scientific and mathematical concepts.
Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate ability to be of assistance and point of contact for peer support in relation to semester assignments and projects.
Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate ability to work in an environment of integral respect, shared understanding, and collaboration. Ability to problem solve, connect choices and ethical decision-making. |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
Core A2 Foundations: Student will demonstrate signal flow literacy, patching, cable types/connectors, and hands-on familiarity with troubleshooting. Understanding personal monitor mixes and how to support FOH needs.
A2 Prep and Industry Practices : Students will demonstrate safety and gear handling knowledge. Line check & soundcheck (gain staging, monitors, routing). Show flow (communication, problem solving under pressure). Strike/wrap-up (proper teardown, documentation, professionalism).
Critical Listening & Ear Training: Students will demonstrate positive applicable results of ear training assignments. Recognizing common frequency ranges, feedback, and knowledge of tonal balance. Application of listening skills to monitors and FOH mixes.
Professionalism & Industry Intrapersonal Readiness: Students will demonstrate stage etiquette. Positive demonstration of working with musicians, other production members, and client base. Demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and clear communication as an A2. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
= Intro to Live Sound and safety, what an A2 is, signal flow concept overview. Hands-on: cables, connectors, patching basics.
Week 2 – Stage prep Intro to Stage plots, input lists, labeling. Hands-on: building the stage: mics, DI boxes, cabling.
Week 3 – Signal flow foundation Intro to Console orientation, routing overview. Hands- on: Patching practices: snake → stage → console.
Week 4 – Line check Intro to line checking, A2’s role. Hands- on: Practical line check with a band (or multitrack playback).
Project 1
Week 5 – Routing + gain Intro to Internal routing deeper dive (auxes, buses, groups). Hands- on: setting gain structure properly.
Test 1
Week 6 – Monitoring intro Intro to Wedges vs In-ears, monitor world overview. Hands- on: Running aux mixes, personal mixers.
Week 7 – Soundcheck begins Intro to Soundcheck flow (order, communication with band/FOH). Hands-on running a mock soundcheck.
MidTerm Test (Test 2)
Intro to Balancing instruments, monitor vs FOH priorities. Hands-on practice mix with playback or live group.
Intro to Feedback theory + ring-out strategies. Hands-on: intentionally create & tame feedback.
Project 2
Intro to Parametric vs graphic EQ, surgical vs broad strokes. Hands- on: EQ applied to monitors vs FOH.
Intro to Communication during the gig (talkback, hand signals, cues). Hands- on: Mid-show troubleshooting drills.
Project 3
Operate an entire mock show: load-in → soundcheck → “performance.” Hands- on: Rotate students through FOH, monitors, stage crew.
Test 3
Intro to Common problems (bad cable, dead mic, phantom issues, RF). Hands- On: Troubleshooting timed drills.
Project 4
Intro to Multiple issue troubleshooting, under pressure. Hands -On: Students solve real-world scenarios as teams.
Week 15 - Advanced Patching/ System Engineering Introduction Intro to FOH system tuning (SMAART basics, pink noise, RTA). Wireless/RF coordination. Digital patching/networked audio (Dante, AVB). Hands -On: Open Lab (Revisit material, opportunity to reinforce or introduce new concepts.
Project 5
Week 16 Review for Final
Final Test
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1 - Load In Intro to Live Sound and safety, what an A2 is, signal flow concept overview. Hands-on: cables, connectors, patching basics.
Week 2 – Stage prep Intro to Stage plots, input lists, labeling. Hands-on: building the stage: mics, DI boxes, cabling.
Week 3 – Signal flow foundation Intro to Console orientation, routing overview. Hands- on: Patching practices: snake → stage → console.
Week 4 – Line check Intro to line checking, A2’s role. Hands- on: Practical line check with a band (or multitrack playback).
Project 1
Week 5 – Routing + gain Intro to Internal routing deeper dive (auxes, buses, groups). Hands- on: setting gain structure properly.
Test 1
Week 6 – Monitoring intro Intro to Wedges vs In-ears, monitor world overview. Hands- on: Running aux mixes, personal mixers.
Week 7 – Soundcheck begins Intro to Soundcheck flow (order, communication with band/FOH). Hands-on running a mock soundcheck.
MidTerm Test (Test 2)
Week 8 – Building the mix Intro to Balancing instruments, monitor vs FOH priorities. Hands-on practice mix with playback or live group.
Week 9 – Feedback control Intro to Feedback theory + ring-out strategies. Hands-on: intentionally create & tame feedback.
Project 2
Week 10 – EQ & tone shaping Intro to Parametric vs graphic EQ, surgical vs broad strokes. Hands- on: EQ applied to monitors vs FOH.
Week 11 – Show management Intro to Communication during the gig (talkback, hand signals, cues). Hands- on: Mid-show troubleshooting drills.
Project 3
Week 12 – Showtime full run Operate an entire mock show: load-in → soundcheck → “performance.” Hands- on: Rotate students through FOH, monitors, stage crew.
Test 3
Week 13 – Troubleshooting Intro to Common problems (bad cable, dead mic, phantom issues, RF). Hands- On: Troubleshooting timed drills.
Project 4
Week 14 – Advanced problemsolving Intro to Multiple issue troubleshooting, under pressure. Hands -On: Students solve real-world scenarios as teams.
Week 15 - Advanced Patching/ System Engineering Introduction Intro to FOH system tuning (SMAART basics, pink noise, RTA). Wireless/RF coordination. Digital patching/networked audio (Dante, AVB). Hands -On: Open Lab (Revisit material, opportunity to reinforce or introduce new concepts.
Project 5
Week 16 Review for Final
Final Test
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| Final Exam Date | December 10, 2025 - 1:10 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale |
Attendance 10%
Class Participation 10%
Quizzes 10%
Assignments 10%
Projects 20%
Tests 40% |
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| Determination of Final Grade |
Participation - 50% Attendance - 25% In Class quiz/test - 25% |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies | Grades will be posted on Blackboard | ||||||||
| Attendance Policy |
You get one free absence before your late/ absences start to count against your grade in the Attendance Category. After that, each class absence deducts 5% of your attendance grade. Showing up to class late three times equals one absence. Leaving class early without a written excuse will also count against your attendance grade in the late column. |
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| Additional Information | |||||||||
| Institutional Policies | |||||||||
| MyLSCPA | Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA. | ||||||||
| Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||
| ADA Considerations | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||
| COVID 19 Information | The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website. | ||||||||
| Facility Policies | No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited. | ||||||||
| HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||
| Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual. | ||||||||
| Title IX and Sexual Misconduct | LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website. | ||||||||
| Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website. |
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| Grievance / Complaint / Concern | If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair. | ||||||||
| Department Information |
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