Audio RecordingTechniques

Fall, 2009
Course Website

Instructor:

Jon Newton
503-725-3110
Website
Email

Syllabus

Course Site: http://oregonmts.com/mts/courses/fall2k9/art09.html
--Some linked sites require a password--
Instructor: Jon Newton
email: info@oregonmts.com

Texts: There are two recommended texts for this course.

1) Modern Recording Techniques, by David Miles Huber 6th Edition, ©2005 Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-80625-5

2) Essentials of Music Technology, by Mark Ballora, © 2003 by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-093747-9

Resources: Students are welcome to use the Recording Arts and Music Production website, at this URL: http://www.ramp.pdx.edu. There are many suggestions as to helpful books and applications, as well as support tutorials and Power Point presentations. The OMTS password will also allow navigation of this site.

Course Description: Helps students develop an understanding of the science, tools, and techniques involved in the field of analog audio engineering. Topics include acoustics, microphones, mixing board set up and operation, basic signal processing.

Prerequisites and Individualization: Students are assumed to have basic math, computer, email, and Internet skills. Students may suggest modifications to assignments that support projects in which they are currently involved.

Special Considerations: Students with documented disabilities will be accommodated. Please discuss with instructor during the first week of the term.

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Schedule

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--Note: Content below is preliminary and subject to change--

Classes

Saturday, October 3

Part 1:

Getting Started

•Meet & greet
•Program overview
•Course overview

Discussion

•Student expectations
•How to get assignments done
•Type of projects
•Future terms--size, content
•Teams

Part 2:

Meet the Gear

•Simple sound system setup

Career Discussion

•Business of music

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Saturday, October 10

Part 1:

Administration

𠈪ttendance
•Password
•Guitar
•Presentations

Basic Acoustics

•Student Data
•Student Handbooks
•Acoustics Powerpoint in class
•Read Huber, Ch 2 & Ballora Ch 1 & 2

Break

•Questionnaire
•Online Form
• Accounts
•Sign-up for Presentations DP/Spectrafoo

More Acoustics

𠈭P Demo File

Part 2:

More About Acoustics

Research the following subject. Write a 1-2 page paper that discusses this concept in basic terms.

1) The Doppler Effect
2) Base 10 Logarithms
3) Calculating wavelength
4) Consonance and Dissonance
5) Phase Shifting
6) Ground Loop
7) Balanced Line
8) Normalling Patchbay
9) Proximity Effect
10) rms (voltage)
11) Impedance
12) VU Meter

The research paper should define the term or terms involved in the subject matter, then gives a brief, simple to understand explanation of the concept. Refer to the texts, to the class Powerpoint presentations, and to any Internet source. A place to start might be Brad Hansen's Digital Media site linked below.

Make sure to list your sources at the end of your report, including the URL's of pertinent websites.

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Saturday, October 17:

Part 1:

Basic Electronics

•Electronics Powerpoint

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Part 2:

Acoustics Review

•Team presentations

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Saturday, October 24:

Part 1:

Inductance, Capacitance, and Microphones

•Powerpoint

Part 2:

Assignment 2: Microphone Spec Sheet Analysis

•Research and select a specific microphone (brand and model, e.g. Audio Technica 4040)
•Find an official spec sheet for that mic (usually available on Internet or fax)
•Interpret 3 types of significant data from the spec sheet
•Locate a review of the mic from some source, and summarize
•Hand in print-out of spec sheet, the review, and your analysis and review summary (1-2 pages)

For evaluation, please turn in by Saturday, November 18.

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Saturday, October 31:

Part 1:

Signal Processing: Mixing Boards

Part 2:

Signal Processing: Mixers & Processors

•Pair presentations

Assignment: Setting Up an Analog Audio System

In teams of 3-4, design on paper a setup that will allow you to do the following:

•Use a condensor microphone to record a voice
•Patch the input and output of the cassette through the patchbay
•Record to an audio cassette
•Allow monitoring over 2 headphone sets (using a headphone amp)
•Allow playback (of the cassette) over a pair of powered speakers
•Make sure your diagram includes information on connector plugs/jacks
•Use equipment as listed in Equipment List below.

We will do this in class November 22.

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Saturday, November 1:

TBA

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Saturday, November 14:

TBA

Lab

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Saturday, November 21:

Part 1:

Signal Processing

Signal Processing Powerpoint

Assignment: Designing a Patch Bay

•Using the provided patch bay diagram and the equipment list
•Design a patch bay setup that utilizes all 48 patch points

This assignment is due Tuesday, November 29

Part 2:

Lab

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Saturday, November 28:

LAB

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Saturday, December 5:

Part 1:

Setting Up an Analog Audio System

In teams of 3, use your written plan to setup and do the following

•Use a microphone to record a voice
•Record to an audio cassette
•Allow monitoring over 2 headphone sets
•Allow playback over a pair of powered speakers

Part 2:

Career Discussion

•Please have questions ready

Term Course Materials

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