Tacoma School of the Arts
Audio Recording and Music Industry
Teacher: Derrick Robinson
Email: drobin1@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Audio Recording 1 Syllabus
SYLLABUS
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is an introduction to digital recording concepts. We will cover
the basics of sound pressure, acoustics, decibel and frequency
measurement, microphone design and application, amplification, signal
processing, digital file management and Pro Tools workstation basics.
II.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
Unit:
% of Grade:
Sound and
Hearing
5%
Measuring
Waveforms
The Mixing
Board
5%
10%
Signal flow
and Gain
Staging

This unit will cover sound pressure as a form of
mechanical energy and how our ear and brain process
sound to specify direction, frequency, amplitude and
stereo depth.

This unit will cover waveforms in their electrical
form and how we measure the four components of
electrical current.

This unit will cover the basics of a mixing
console and how routing works with bus and aux
sends, matrices and VCA mute groups and automation.
15%

This unit will cover the different methods of
transduction along with microphone type and size,
pickup and response patterns, and common
applications.
15%

This unit will cover common situational
microphone placement for recording purposes.
Microphones
Microphone
Placement
Student Competencies:
15%

This unit will cover signal flow in the studio, the
basics of signal patching, preamplifiers, and gain
staging from microphone to line to speaker level.
Digital
Recording
Concepts
10%

This until will cover sampling and quantization
and the different components of a digital recording
system.
Recording
Application
25%

This culminating project will allow students to
apply their skills in a real recording situation.
TPS-CTE
Updated April, 2006
III.
TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED


IV.
V.
EALR and GLE ALIGNMENT (this could be a chart):
o
Communication: EALR 2.2, 3.2
o
Writing: EALR 2.1-2.4, 4.1, 4.2
o
Arts: EALR 3.1-3.3, 4.1-4.5
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:

VI.
This class will contain elements of lecture, group discussion, individual project
and group project work.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:

VII.
You will be required to have a flash drive to store your pro tools projects on to
transport between the two studios and the lab.
There is an online textbook for reference but most of the information will be taken
from notes in class.
Students will be assessed in the following areas:
o Tests: The first part of this course will be mostly written assessments to
assess your basic knowledge of key concepts. As the semester
progresses, we will move more into individual and group projects.
o Listening Journals: We will do weekly listening journals to practice song
and recording analysis and begin to incorporate engineering vocabulary.
o In Class Projects: We will be doing more individually directed and group
projects towards the end of the semester using the lab and the two
studios.
o Peer Critique: Each student will be required to participate in an online
“blind” peer critique during this course.
o Final Project: Students will be working together as a class to record 3
songs towards the end of the semester. Each student will be then be
required individually to mix this recording as part of the final project.
GRADING SCALE:
94-100 = A
90-93 = A-
87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C-
67-69 = D+
60-66 = D
< 59 = E
VIII. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
Students will be expected to attend class ready to work independently. Unexcused
absences will be counted against the participation grade. Students will also be expected
to work respectfully with each other, building a safe and positive creative environment.
Negative or hostile language will not be tolerated. The four school goals, empathy,
balance, community and thinking will be expected to be expressed at all times.
I UNDERSTAND AND PERSONALLY AGREE TO PERFORM TO THESE STATED
POLICIES.
_______________________
Printed Name
_____________________________
Student Signature
2
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Date