Syllabus
BCST 120 - AUDIO PRODUCTION - LAB
SPRING 2006, Monday/Wednesday evenings
_______________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:
MEETINGS:
OFFICE HOURS:
TELEPHONE/EMAIL:
LOCATION:
Jeff Kliment
Lab – Monday & Wednesday, 7:35 PM – 9:30 PM. CRN # 36212
Via telephone or email or by appointment during lab time
415-452-4744 / jkliment@ccsf.edu (email preferred)
Class meets in ARTX165
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers the theory and operation of broadcast audio and recording studio
equipment. We will explore the physics of sound and the vocabulary of audio as well as the proper use of microphones,
audio mixing consoles, analog and digital tape recorders, digital audio workstations, and other common broadcast and
studio equipment. Class consists of a mix of lecture and lab time. Students will complete projects both outside of class
and during lab hours.
REQUIRED TEXT: AUDIO IN MEDIA, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Wadsworth Publishing
GRADING: Your grade is based on projects, quizzes, a midterm exam, a final exam, and class participation both in class
and in group assignments.
Project 1 – basic radio production
Project 2 – analog tape editing
Project 3 – 4-track music production
Project 4 – digital recording – film soundtrack
DAT project
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Participation
TOTAL
50 points
50 points
50 points
50 points
25 points
50 points
150 points
150 points
25 points
600 points
A = 540 – 600 points
B = 480 – 539 points
C = 420 – 479 points
D = 360 – 419 points
F = less than 360 points
CELL PHONES: TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF BEFORE ENTERING CLASS. You may be asked to leave if you
disrupt class with your cell phone.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: You are expected to attend all classes. If you cannot attend class due to an illness or
emergency, you must call or send an email using the contact info above. After four or more absences, you may be
dropped from class. If you are late for class, you will not receive credit for attending a full class session. You are
responsible for obtaining any content missed and for making up required course work. Take note of the class schedule on
the back of this sheet. DO NOT SCHEDULE VACATIONS DURING THIS COURSE. Exams will not be re-scheduled and
no late projects will be accepted.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:





Also Recommended:
One 7” Reel of 1/4”audio tape. Quantegy 456 is suggested ($7 - $12)
One 30 min. DAT tape, any brand. ($5 - $8)
Five CD-R blank CD media, any brand ($1 - $2 each)
Two 30 min. or longer audio cassettes $1 - $2 each)
Single-edged razor for editing Project 2
Headphones with stereo 1/4-inch phone jack
Clipboard
#2 pencils with erasers
Binder or folder for handouts
You may purchase these supplies at:
CCSF Bookstore Annex (Phelan Ave.) 415-452-5210
Leo’s Pro Audio (5447 Telegraph Ave. @55th in Oakland) 510-652-1553
R&M Pro Audio (10th Ave. and Cabrillo St.) 415-386-8400
SCHEDULE: See page 2 – subject to change based on equipment and facilities availability
If you need disability-related accommodations, you may contact Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S). If you
have emergency medical information you wish to share with me or wish to discuss disability-related accommodations with
me, please make a private appointment with me as soon as possible.
WEEK
W 1/18
TOPIC
Introduction/Ears
LAB WORK AND PROJECTS
Discuss critical listening, ear protection.
M 1/23
W 1/25
Physics of Sound
Signal Flow/Connections
Listening tests: compare various CD’s and discuss
Intro to lab workstations, overview of equipment
M 1/30
W 2/1
Consoles & Signal Flow
Gain Structure
Discuss signal flow, gain structure, setting levels
Begin Project One, Demo of reel-to-reel decks
M 2/6
W 2/8
Analog Recording
Microphones
Project 1 production
Project 1 production
M 2/13
W 2/15
Microphones
Microphones
Microphone demo, Project 1 production
Project 1 production
M 2/20
W 2/22
HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Analog tape editing
Begin Project Two, Analog editing demo
M 2/27
W 3/1
Acoustics
Monitoring/Speakers
Project 1 & 2 production
Project 1 & 2 production
M 3/6
W 3/8
Project 1 DUE
REVIEW FOR MIDTERM
Listen to Project 1 in class
Project 2 production
M 3/13
W 3/15
MIDTERM EXAM
Multi-track Recording/Music
Project 2 production
Begin Project Three, Equipment demo
M 3/20
W 3/22
Multi-track continued
Digital Recording
Project 3 tracking sessions
Project 3 tracking sessions
M 3/27
W 3/29
Intro to Digital Audio Editing
Project 2 DUE
Begin DAT Project, DAT demo, Project 2 & 3 production
Adobe Audition demo, Project 3 production
M 4/3
W 4/5
Sound for film & video
Project 4 Spotting Session
Begin Project Four, Adobe Audition demo continued
Project 4 Group production
M 4/10
W 4/12
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
M 4/17
W 4/19
Signal Processing - EQ
Processing - Dynamics
Project 4 Group & individual production
Project 4 Group & individual production
M 4/24
Sign up for Project 4 production
W 4/26
Project 3 mixes DUE
Processing - Time-based
REVIEW
M 5/1
W 5/3
DAT Project DUE, Location Sound Sign up for Project 4 production
Synchronization
Sign up for Project 4 production
M 5/8
W 5/10
Audio for the Internet
Careers in Audio
M 5/15
W 5/17
LONG LAB NIGHT FOR PROJECT 4 COMPLETION
Project 4 DUE
Play finished projects in class
M 5/22
W 5/24
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
FINAL EXAM (No lab)
Sign up for Project 4 production
Sign up for Project 4 production
Sign up for Project 4 production