Spring 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC-2327- Section: 01
Audio Engineering II
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Kenneth Turner
E-mailturnerkq@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6547
Office
Location:Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 137 D
Hours:MW 9am-12pm; TR 9-11am
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description Implementation of the recording process, including microphones, audio console, multi-track recorder, and signal processing devices.
Prerequisites MUSC 1327 Audio Engineering I
Learning Outcomes 1. Identify acoustic and electronic concepts (PSLO 1)
2. Describe waveform properties (PSLO 1)
3. Explain microphone characteristics and placement (PSLO 1)
4. Describe studio set-up and signal routing (PSLO 1)
5. Explain console and recording operation techniques (PSLO 1)
6. Identify basic recording studio procedures (PSLO 1)
7. Demonstrates comprehension of content-reading area material and vocabulary (PSLO Alpha)
Core Objectives
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
PSLO 1: Applies commercial music sound technology to professional practice.
SLO 1: Students will apply commercial music sound technology to professional practice.
PSLO 2: Applies commercial music performance skill to support sound engineering practice.
SLO 2: Students will apply commercial music performance skill to support sound engineering practice. PSLO 3: Applies basic music industry principles to professional practice.
SLO 3: Students will apply basic music industry principles to professional practice.
PSLO 4: Demonstrates professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession. SLO 4: Students will demonstrate professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession.
(Recording Arts Technology/Technician)
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.

Modern Recording Techniques, 9th ed., by David Miles Huber
(ISBN: 978-1138954373)

Text or eBook


Lecture Topics
Outline
Week 1. Overview, Review- Audio 1 terms and processes/ pretest - 20 questions x 2, Studio A; Critical Listening 1

Week 2. Review - Studios: mic types & models, Recording Chain; Console & Patch Bays, Hardware Preamps and compressors/ simple one-mic scenarios, Hear Back System OTB

Week 3. Review - DI instruments and amplifiers, Time Alignment-I/O DAW, Steve Albini 1, Studio B, Critical Listening (time-based) One Mic Project

Week 4. Review - Subgrouping, Drum Kits: The O Method, basic tuning, two mic-four mic recording; Polarity, phase coherency, Lynda drum study, Steve Albini 2, Small rooms vs. Large rooms, OTB, Studio C

Week 5. Review - Stereo miking techniques, Pro Tools/ MIDI/ AIR Instruments: Critical Listening-EQ, Drum Kit 2, OTB

Week 6. Preproduction, Documentation; Vocal Production

Week 7. The Basic Session 1; Studio Psychology

Week 8. The Basic Session 2; OTB

Week 9. SPRING BREAK - March 13th - 21st

Week 10. Overdubbing/ Editing/ Printing Effects; OTB

Week 11. Reference Mix; TBA

Week 12. TBA

Week 13. Mixing Concepts 1

Week 14. Mixing Concepts 2

Week 15. Mastering Concepts

Week 16. Final project due May 11th.
Major Assignments
Schedule
Week 1: Pretest (x 2); CL Assignment

Week 2: Quiz; OTB

Week 3: Quiz; Tempo Map Assignment

Week 4: Quiz; Archive 1 Due; OTB

Week 5: Quiz; Drum Kit Assignment; OTB

Week 6: Quiz; Audit; Pitch Correction Assignment

Week 7: Quiz; Archive 2 Due

Week 8: OTB; Midterm Exam

Week 9: SPRING BREAK - March 13th-21st

Week 10: Quiz; Signal Processing Assignment; OTB

Week 11: Archive 3 Due

Week 12: TBA

Week 13: Quiz

Week 14: Quiz; Delivery Assignment; Audit

Week 15: Quiz; Audit

Week 16: Final Exam; Final Project Due on or before May 11th.


Please be advised, all course topics and examination schedules are subject to change.

Unexcused or late student projects/ archives will not be accepted.

Final Exam Date May 11, 2021 - 11:0 AM   Through  May 11, 2021 - 1:30 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Attendance/ Class Participation 20%
Discussions/ Assignments 20%
Quizzes/ Tests 30%
Projects 30%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person.
Attendance Policy Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance, timeliness, and overall college success.

Prompt and regular online participation is required to complete all LSCPA courses successfully. The weekly lessons are cumulative; therefore, it is imperative that students stay current with their coursework and assignments. In addition, students who fall behind in their course work miss out on the cumulative curriculum, as a whole.

It is recommended that students begin their course(s) promptly when the semester begins. If a student does need to start the course a few days late, they should contact the instructor via the e-mail listed above as soon as possible, after the course has opened.

If students plan to be away from their courses, they should inform their instructors via e-mail, and make every effort to continue working on the coursework while away. If this is not possible, they should make a plan with their instructors to catch up upon returning. Note that failure to submit required work in courses for two weeks or more will result in the 7.5% reduction with each weekly posted assignment per week and *may result in an automatic failing grade for lab assignments and projects, eventual academic penalty, and recommendation for student withdrawal.

* Students should contact their instructors as soon as possible to determine what, if any, arrangements can be made for the specific situation. Instructors may issue a failing grade for failure to submit required work in a course. The grade of F will be recorded for failure to complete or properly withdraw from courses.

F2F: You get one "free" absence before your late/ absences start to count against your grade. After that, each absence deducts two percentage points from your final grade. If you are late for class or leave class early three times, it will count as one unexcused absence. More than five unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other Course Description: The tools, personnel and standard workflow of a recording studio. Topics include fundamentals of sound and overview of tracking, editing, and mixing audio.

Your End-of-Course Outcomes: Identify properties of sound and electronic signals; explain microphone characteristics and placement; describe studio set-up and signal routing; explain console and recording operation techniques; and identify basic recording studio procedures.

Hardware/ Software

External Firewire/USB 3.0/ Thunderbolt Hard Drive with Minimum 7,200 RPM and Oxford Chip Set (Preferably Avid Certified for use with Pro Tools.) Recommendations: Glyph, Lacie, Western Digital or OWC Hard Drive (500 GB or better)
Recommended: Pro Tools 11 or higher
(You qualify for monthly Pro Tools Academic subscription. Please note: Pro Tools First is not supported in this course).

Any current audio interface that supports Core Audio (Mac OS) or ASIO (Windows) such as the Avid Mbox 3, Focusrite Scarlett, Presonus AudioBox 96, etc.
An iLok Smart Key (Physical or Cloud-based) is required for authorization of all Pro Tools Academic systems
Pair of Stereo headphones (AKG K240MkII, Sennheiser HD 280 PRO, Sony MDR7506, Audio Technica ATH-M50x, or Beyerdynamic DT 660 (Earbuds can be substituted for use, if needed).

Although not necessary for this course, a MIDI keyboard controller, microphone or instrument (electric guitar, bass) is recommended, will eventually be needed, and may be provided.

Course Journaling: Google Docs

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment at Blackboard.

Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements sections above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.

Mac Users
OS X 10.10 Yosemite or higher

PC Users
Windows 7 or higher

All Users
Latest version of Google Chrome
Zoom meeting software
Webcam
Speakers or headphones
External or internal Microphone
Broadband Internet connection

Studio/ Lab Policy - The equipment in the recording studios and the Mac Lab must always be treated with respect and care. In the Mac Lab, headphones should be used at all times and an acceptable volume level must be maintained. Please notify instructor or student worker immediately if there is a problem with the equipment. Students who show disregard for the instruments/ equipment will be asked to leave the class session.

Questions? Please ask.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Department
Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Chair:Richard Vandewalker
E-mail:vandewalkerre@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6520

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.