Modesto Junior College
MUSC 111, RATV 172 Course Outline
Effective Date: 05/05/2008
Printed On: 10/30/2007 11:56:34 AM
I. COURSE OVERVIEW
The following information is what will appear in the MJC 2008-2009 Catalog.
MUSIC 111, RATV 172 - Recording Arts 1
2 Unit(s)
Advisories: Before enrolling in this course, students are strongly advised to
satisfactorily complete MUSC 120 and MUSC 121
.
Introduction to the terminology and practices of the recording arts. Properties of
sound, microphone placement, multi-track recording, mixing and mastering. Lab
time and materials fees will be required.
May be completed up to 2 times. Field trips may be required. A-F and CR/NC.
Materials fee required. Applicable to the Associate Degree. Transfer to CSU and
UC. MJC-GE - 2.
II. LEARNING CONTEXT
Given the following learning context, the student who satisfactorily completes
this course should be able to achieve the goals specified in section III: Desired
Learning.
1. COURSE CONTENT
A. REQUIRED
1. The recording studio floor plan and rooms
2. The people who make it happen in the recording process, artist,
studio manager, engineer etc.
3. Sound and Hearing
a. Musical instrument characteristics, sound sources,
microphone choice and placement
4. Direct Injection boxes and their operation
a. The analog tape recorder
b. Digital audio technology
c. Digital multi-track recording music software use and
operation
5. Stereo sample editing software
6. Critical Listening
7. Amplifiers, studio monitors and headphones
8. MIDI and Synthesizers
9. Digital signal processing in hardware and software plug-ins
a. Equalization and filters
b. Basic effects and modulation effects
10. Dynamics processing
11. Mixdown and automation
12. Mastering
13. The recording process from pre-production to final product
14. The history of recording equipment and the recording process
15. Live recording versus studio recording
2. ENROLLMENT RESTRICTIONS
1. Advisories:
Before enrolling in this course, students are strongly advised to
satisfactorily complete MUSC 121 and MUSC 122
.
3. HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER TERM
Prorated Hours and Units
TYPE of HOURS
TERM HOURS UNITS EARNED
Lecture/Discussion
17.5
1
Lab/Studio/Activity
52.5
1
Total Units Earned:
2
4. TYPICAL METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Instructors of this course might conduct the course using the following
methods:
Face-to-face education 1. Lecture, discussion, demonstration and reading.
2. Recording equipment, computers, music software and musical
instruments
3. Lab assignments and recording projects.
4. Individual lab times requiring students to analyze and apply materials
and concepts.
5. Development of collaborative skills relating to recording projects.
6. Critical listening to student and professional recordings.
7. Performance in the classroom.
5. TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS
A. Quality: Assignments require the appropriate level of critical thinking
MUSC 111
Stereo Recording Project
This recording project involves recording a single acoustic source. For
example, an acoustic guitar or piano can be used. You will use two condenser
microphones to create a stereo image on the DAT tape as you create a live
recording of the source. The equipment involved will be two microphone
stands, two condenser microphones with a choice or combination of large or
small diaphragm condensers, the Ramsa mixing console and the Tascam DA30 mkII DAT Recorder. The recording lab aide and your instructor will
provide more detailed instructions on microphone placement, use of the
console and DAT recorder.
Each recording will be a short 30 second example of music that you or the
performer choose. Another student can play or the lab aide will play the
instrument so you can record it.
You will record 3 examples of a stereo spaced pair off axis in three different
fields. 1. Close mike, 2. Distant mike, 3. Ambient mike
You will record 3 examples of an X/Y pair in three different fields. 1. Close
mike, 2. Distant mike, 3. Ambient Mike
You will also record 3 examples of an M/S (mid-side) pair in three different
fields. 1. Close mike, 2. Distant mike, 3. Ambient Mike
All 9 examples will be indexed on the DAT tape as track index’s 1-9. You will
provide a DAT Master log of the recordings and turn in the DAT tape and
master log to the instructor by the due date.
Examples of test questions:
1. What is the name for the measurement of frequency?
Give the full name ___________________
Abbreviation _______
Frequency is measured in cycles _____ ___________________ .
What does a "K" refer to in the measurement of frequency?
2. Describe the digital audio recording and playback process starting with an
acoustic sound and ending with an acoustic sound.
3. What are peak EQ and shelving EQ? How are they different?
4. Describe the recording process from start to final product. Identify the six
main processes in recording and include the main individuals involved in the
process.
B. Quantity: Hours spent on assignments in addition to hours of instruction
(lecture hours)
Recording Arts 1 assignments:
Per term in-class assignments:
1 midterm, 1 final exam
Per term out-of class assignments:
2 critical listening assignments, 4 take home quizzes, 5 recording projects and
1 final recording project.
1 extra credit large ensemble recording project if they choose to participate.
6. TEXTS AND OTHER READINGS
A.Required Texts: Modern Recording Techniques, 6th Edition, Huber and
Runstein, 2005
B. Other reading material:
III. DESIRED LEARNING
A. COURSE GOAL
As a result of satisfactory completion of this course, the student should be
prepared to:
plan, organize and engineer a recording session. They will be familiar with
recording equipment, recording techniques and the physical aspects of sound
which will qualify them for further studies in the recording arts.
B. STUDENT LEARNING GOALS
Mastery of the following learning goals will enable the student to achieve
the overall course goal.
REQUIRED LEARNING GOALS
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:1st
completion
1. Be familiar with the basic acoustics of sound.
2. Understand electrical concepts and signal path with the help of the lab
aide.
3. Distinguish various types of recording equipment and define their use.
4. Plan and organize a small recording session.
5. Judge an acoustical environment and sound source with regard to
microphone placement.
6. Apply basic digital audio editing techniques in the recording process.
7. Identify and solve problems involving basic recording studio systems.
2nd completion
1. Be able to trouble shoot signal flow without the help of the lab aide.
2. Handle recording sessions with more perfomers and variables.
3. Assist with collaborative recording projects with the music, theater and
media arts departments.
4. Make microphone choices on their own.
5. Be able to use more intermediate digital audio editing techniques and
looping procedures.
6. Identify and solve problems involving more complex recording studio
systems.
RECOMMENDED LEARNING GOALS
Upon satisfactory completion of this course (when the related
recommended content is covered), the student will be able to:Apply
perspectives on the recording process gained from the experience a different
recording studio environment (field trip).
IV. METHODS OF MEASURING STUDENT PROGRESS
A. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
1. Critical listening evaluations with in class participation.
2. Objective short quizzes on individual areas of study
3. Class attendance and participation
B. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
1. Recording projects (lab)
2. Final project (lab)
3. Midterm Test
4. Comprehensive final exam