4/25/2024 9:36:24 PM	MUSC 60B Course Outline as of Fall 2015	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  MUSC 60B	Title:  AUDIO RECORDING 2
Full Title:  Audio Recording 2
Last Reviewed:2/27/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	2.00		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	35.00
		Contact DHR	1.00			Contact DHR	17.50
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

This course covers intermediate- to advanced-level applications in studio recording with Pro Tools and an introduction to live sound and live recording. Topics include signal processing, mixing techniques, use of plug-ins, and preparation of the final mixdown. Students will learn how to operate a recording studio independently.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of MUSC 60A

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in MUSC 51B

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course covers intermediate- to advanced-level applications in studio recording with Pro Tools and an introduction to live sound and live recording. Topics include signal processing, mixing techniques, use of plug-ins, and preparation of the final mixdown. Students will learn how to operate a recording studio independently.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of MUSC 60A
Recommended:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in MUSC 51B
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2009	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply a working knowledge of the art and science of sound recording to produce professional-quality digital audio with Pro Tools.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Record, edit, mix, and master digital audio with Pro Tools, expanding on the theoretical and technical knowledge developed in MUSC 60A.

2. Explain the functions and applications of signal processors and demonstrate their usage.

3. Utilize a variety of software plug-ins within Pro Tools.

4. Explain and utilize synchronization protocols including SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) time code and MIDI sync.

5. Prepare final mixdowns of audio projects in a variety of formats.

6. Diagram and explain the mastering and manufacturing processes for a variety of media, including CD, DVD, and older formats.

7. Evaluate and critique audio recordings, describing the techniques used to create the soundscape.

8. Demonstrate professionalism in a recording studio environment.

9. Research industry resources to stay current with theoretical and technological advances in the recording industry.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Live Sound

   A. Acoustics

   B. Sound systems

   C. Introduction to the Venue digital board

   D. How to run a live show

II. Editing and Mixing in Pro Tools

    A. Importing media into sessions

    B. Selecting and navigating

        1. Timeline vs. edit selections

        2. Working with selections

        3. Adjusting session view

        4. Adding markers to sessions

    C. Basic Editing Techniques

        1. Editing regions

        2. Moving and trimming regions

        3. Creating fade effects

        4. Undo and revert-to-saved

    D. Basic Mixing Techniques

        1. The Pro Tools mix window

        2. Basic automation

        3. Real-time plug-ins

    E. Creating a final mix

        1. Backing up sessions

        2. Sharing sessions between systems

        3. Creating stereo mixdowns

        4. Burning to CD

III. Synchronization

    A. SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) time code

    B. MIDI-based synchronization

    C. Proprietary synchronization systems

IV. Signal Processing

    A. Inline vs. side-chain processing

    B. Equalization (EQ)

        1. Peaking and shelving filters

        2. High-pass and low-pass filters

        3. Graphic vs. parametric EQ

        4. Applying EQ

    C. Time-based effects

         1. Delay

        2. Reverb

        3. Phase, chorus, and flange

    D. Compressors, limiters, and gates

    E. Pitch-shifting effects

    F. Psychoacoustic enhancement

    G. Dynamic effects automation

V. Noise Reduction (NR)

    A. The compansion process

    B. NR systems: dbx, Dolby

    C. Noise gates

    D. Digital noise reduction

    E. Fast Fourier transform

VI. Theory of Digital Recording

    A. Sampling: rate and resolution

    B. The Nyquist theorem

    C. Oversampling

    D. Signal-to-error ratio

    E. Dither

VII. Creating Sound Effects for Multimedia

VIII. Introduction to the Mastering and Manufacturing Process

    A. CDs

    B. DVDs

    C. Older formats: tape and vinyl

    D. Producing for digital delivery

    E. Producing for the multimedia and the web

IX. Critical Listening Skills: Evaluating Audio Recordings

X. Recording Industry Resources: Staying Current

    A. Magazines and journals

    B. Societies and conferences

    C. Online resources

Assignments:

1. Reading (10-20 pp. per week) from the text and handouts.

2. Hands-on proficiency demonstrations on the hardware and software.

3. Quizzes (3-5) on vocabulary and technical terminology.

4. Completion of required laboratory hours.

5. Final project: an original recording (minimum of 3 minutes in length) that demonstrates mastery of the concepts of the course.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 40 - 55%
Recording project(s)
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 25 - 35%
Hands-on proficiency demonstrations
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 25%
Quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Attendance and participation; Professionalism

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Modern Recording Techniques (8th). Huber, David Miles and Robert Runstein. Focal Press: 2013.

Pro Tools 101 (Official courseware). Cook, Frank D. Cengage Learning PTR: 2013.

 

Trade periodicals such as:

    Mix Magazine

    Pro Sound Magazine

    Electronic Musician Magazine

 

Instructor prepared materials

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