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Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC-2403 (Section: 1, CRN: 10211) Live Sound II |
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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 | Location: Room 135 Office Hours Tuesday 10am- 2:00pm Friday 12:30am - 2:30pm |
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| Additional Contact Information | Phone: 409 300 7630 | ||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| Description | Overview of stage monitor systems. Includes monitor systems set-up and operation and stage management. Also covers interactivity between sound management, performance quality, and audience experience. | ||||||||
| 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.
Gibson, Bill. The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook, 3rd Edition. Rowman & Littlefield / Hal Leonard. ISBN-13: 978-1538133170. |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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| Learning Outcomes |
CLO 1 – Design Advanced Live Sound SystemsDesign a complete live sound system that integrates FOH, monitors, broadcast/streaming, wireless systems, and system processing. CLO 2 – Configure Professional Console Routing for Broadcast & Live UseConfigure advanced console routing including buses, matrices, splits, and gain-sharing strategies for simultaneous live and broadcast mixes. CLO 3 – Apply Measurement & Optimization TechniquesUse audio measurement tools (e.g., Smaart) to analyze, align, and optimize loudspeaker systems for coverage, phase, and tonal balance. CLO 4 – Deploy and Manage Wireless Audio SystemsConfigure, coordinate, and operate multiple wireless microphone systems using proper RF practices and frequency management. CLO 5 – Troubleshoot Complex Live Audio SystemsDiagnose and resolve technical issues in advanced live sound and broadcast environments using systematic problem-solving methods. |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
PSLO 1 – Technical ProficiencyOperate advanced live sound, broadcast, and measurement tools safely and effectively. PSLO 2 – Systems ThinkingAnalyze and explain complex audio signal flow across integrated live, broadcast, and wireless systems. PSLO 3 – Problem SolvingIdentify and resolve technical and operational challenges in real-world live production environments. PSLO 4 – Industry ReadinessApply professional standards, documentation, and workflows consistent with modern live production and broadcast practices. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline | This course explores advanced concepts and practices in professional live sound production with an emphasis on system design, broadcast and live streaming, wireless audio systems, and system optimization. Lecture topics include advanced audio signal flow and digital console architecture; loudspeaker system design and coverage considerations; and the principles of system measurement and alignment using audio analysis tools. Students examine wireless microphone system fundamentals, RF coordination strategies, and antenna deployment techniques for complex production environments. Additional topics include broadcast and streaming mix workflows, gain structure and dynamics for broadcast clarity, hybrid FOH and broadcast system integration, multitrack recording in live settings, and professional documentation practices. Emphasis is placed on troubleshooting complex live audio systems, applying industry-standard workflows, and preparing students for real-world live sound and broadcast production roles. | ||||||||
| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1 – Live Sound 2 Overview & Professional ContextFOH vs broadcast vs monitor vs systems engineering roles. Week 2 – Advanced Signal Flow & Console ArchitectureDeep dive into console routing, buses, matrices, VCAs/DCAs, head amp sharing, gain compensation, and split workflows. Week 3 – System Design FundamentalsDesigning complete live sound systems: sources, console, processing, amplification, loudspeakers, and coverage considerations. Week 4 – Loudspeaker Systems & CoveragePoint source vs line array concepts, subs and crossover strategies, delay systems, and coverage planning. Week 5 – Introduction to Measurement & Analysis (Smaart)Measurement microphones, signal generators, transfer functions, RTA, and basic measurement concepts. Week 6 – System Optimization Using SmaartEQ alignment, delay time alignment, phase relationships, and verifying system performance. Week 7 – Wireless Microphone SystemsWireless fundamentals: RF spectrum basics, transmitters, receivers, antennas, and distribution systems. Week 8 – Advanced Wireless CoordinationFrequency coordination, intermodulation, antenna placement, scanning environments, and managing multiple wireless systems. Week 9 – Live Streaming & Broadcast FundamentalsDifferences between live sound and broadcast mixing; gain structure, headroom, loudness standards, and listener perspective. Week 10 – Broadcast & Streaming Mix TechniquesMixing for clarity, intelligibility, dynamics control, compression strategies, and translation across devices. Week 11 – Hybrid Systems: FOH + BroadcastMatrix feeds, separate broadcast mixes, console scenes, redundancy, and workflow coordination. Week 12 – Recording & Multitrack in Live EnvironmentsCapturing live performances, virtual soundcheck, multitrack routing, and post-production considerations. Week 13 – Troubleshooting Advanced SystemsDiagnosing system-wide failures: RF dropouts, latency, phase issues, clocking, routing conflicts, and redundancy failures. Week 14 – Professional Workflow & DocumentationSystem diagrams, patch lists, RF coordination charts, stage plots, and communication with production teams. Week 15 – Final System Design & DemonstrationDesigning, configuring, and demonstrating a complete live sound + broadcast system with documentation. |
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| Final Exam Date | December 10, 2026 - 1:00 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||
| Determination of Final Grade |
Tests - 60%, Quizzes - 15%, Projects - 10%, Final Exam - 15% | ||||||||
| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies | |||||||||
| Attendance Policy | Students with more than three absences from the course will receive an academic penalty | ||||||||
| 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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