ROSS A. RICE
Sample Syllabus
Sound Recording and Production 1
ARTS 2700: 64472-01, 64473-02, 64474-03
Spring 2022, Jan 10 - Apr 27
Class Time: MR 2:00-3:50 PM
Lab Times: T 4:00-10:00 PM
Class and Lab Location: HASS Media Lab, DCC 174/175
Instructor: Ross Rice
Office: West 317
Contact: ricer3@rpi.edu or Webex Space
Office Hours: Tuesdays 10 AM- 1PM, or by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of audio recording principles and technologies, reinforced with hands-on experience in applying that knowledge to the process of recording in a studio. From the analog world of microphones and speakers, to the digital world of DAWs and VSTs, we will explore the process of audio capture, storage, mixdown, and playback in an introductory format. What makes a sound a “good” sound? How do we make sure we are capturing a “good” sound? And can we make a “bad” sound into a “good” one? We also explore the concept of production, as in: what make someone a “producer” or an audio recording “produced?” Exploring these questions leads to higher level thinking about what audio is capable of when handled skillfully, and how audio principles can be applied to many other disciplines.
Lectures and discussions cover analog and digital audio theory and principles on Thursdays, with audio recording demonstrations and experiments in the HASS Media Lab on Mondays, and supervised and assisted lab times in the studio Tuesdays. Our resident analog and digital audio systems will be examined and tested to fully understand and implement best practices in audio engineering, and make better sounding recordings. Students will be strongly advised to have a personal student version of Avid ProTools—NOT ProTools First—available on their personal computers for further exploration outside of the studio environment, along with an audio interface and reasonable monitoring (non-computer loudspeakers, quality headphones.) Students who complete a proficiency test can gain Level 3 studio permissions in the HASS Media Lab, along with some access, albeit limited.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
As audio continues to be an important component of emerging media technologies, the need for improved applications of audio engineering principles becomes more evident. Students completing this course will have accumulated critical understanding of audio recording and production tools through training in the use of microphones, pre-amplifiers, and studio spaces, along with fundamental operations of Avid ProTools, Avid MTRX, and Avid S6 control surface. Students who pass this course should be able to record and mix a full band recording session in our studio, and fulfill the prerequisites for Sound Recording and Production 2 in the spring, which delves more deeply into advanced audio applications.
COURSE MATERIALS
Student version of Avid ProTools DAW (must NOT be ProTools First) with audio interface (Mbox, Scarlett, etc.)
Avid ProTools Manual .pdf
External Hard Drive: NOT a flash drive, please. 500GB-1TB minimum highly recommended.
Non-computer speaker/earbud ability to monitor- loudspeakers, decent headphones.
COURSE TEXT
Thompson, Daniel. Understanding Audio, 2nd Ed., Berklee Press
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of studio ethos and etiquette, and how to set up and tear down an audio recording session safely and efficiently.
• Utilize a fundamental knowledge of analog and digital audio signals, and learn how signal flow operates in a recording studio.
• Proficiently record, edit, and mix audio using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), prioritizing industry recording standard Avid ProTools, at beginner to intermediate level.
• Maximize use of the Avid S6 control surface while using ProTools, with appropriate monitoring.
• Identify the properties of different important microphones, and their ideal placement and positioning for desired results.
• Integrate essential concepts of audio engineering, production, mixing, and storage, fulfilling general NARAS guidelines for sessions and mixes.
• Achieve Level 3 certification, which allows for more access to the HASS Media Lab, and entry to Sound Recording and Production 2 in the spring.
COURSE CONTENT
Mo 1/10- DAY 1
Introductions, Syllabus, Questionnaire
“Intro to HASS Media Studio”
LAB 1 ASSIGNED
Th 1/13- DAY 2
“Intro to ProTools”
ProTools Manual, Part 1, pp.1-34
Th 1/20- DAY 3
SESSION: INTRO TO STUDIO
“Analog Sound”
Thompson Ch. 1, 3
PT Ch. 11, 12, 13
Mo 1/24- DAY 4
SESSION: PIANO SESSION
Thompson Ch. 5
Th 1/27- DAY 5
“Microphones”
LAB 1 DUE-Mix
HW#1 ASSIGNED
Mo 1/31- DAY 6
SESSION: ACOUSTIC GUITAR SESSION
Thompson Ch. 2
Proficiency Quiz
Th 2/3- DAY 7
“Digital Audio”
PT Ch. 20, 21
LAB 2 ASSIGNED
Mo 2/7- DAY 8
SESSION: VOCAL SESSION
HW#1 DUE, Thompson Ch. 14
Th 2/10- DAY 9
“Decibels”
PT Part 5: Editing
Mo 2/14- DAY 10
SESSION: ELECTRIC GUITAR SESSION
Thompson Ch. 8, 9
PT Part 6- MIDI
Th 2/17- DAY 11
“MIDI”
Thompson Ch. 7, 10
FINAL LAB ASSIGNED
TU 2/22- DAY 12
SESSION: RE-AMPING SESSION
HW2 ASSIGNED
Th 2/24- DAY 13
“Applied Compression and EQ”
LAB 2 DUE-Single Mic
Thompson Ch. 16
Mo 2/28- DAY 14
Midterm Preview
LAB 3 ASSIGNED
Th 3/3- DAY 15
MIDTERM EXAM
Mo 3/14- DAY 16
SESSION: STEREO PAIRS
HW #2 DUE,
HW3 ASSIGNED
Th 3/17- DAY 17
“My Production Journey”
Mo 3/21- DAY 18
SESSION: MULTI-INSTRUMENT SESSION
Thompson Ch. 15
Th 3/24- DAY 19
“Making the Mix 1-Mix Setup”
“Fixing Things”
LAB 3 DUE- Zoom
Thompson Ch. 4
Mo 3/28- DAY 20
SESSION: DRUMS
Proficiency Preview
HW #3 DUE,
PT Part 8- Processing
Th 3/31- DAY 21
“MTM 3-Bass”
“MTM 2-Drums”
Mo 4/4- DAY 22
SESSION: FULL BAND
Th 4/7- DAY 23
“MTM 4-Vocals”
“MTM 5-Guitar”
Mo 4/11- DAY 24
PROFICIENCY TEST
Th 4/14- DAY 25
PROFICIENCY TEST
PT Part 9- Mixing
Mo 4/18- DAY 26
MASTERING, Final Products
Th 4/21- DAY 27
Mix Consultations with Prof. Rice
Mo 4/25- DAY 28
Mix Consultations with Prof. Rice
FINAL LAB DUE
COURSE ASSESSMENT
LEVEL 1 PROFICIENCY QUIZ
At the outset of the semester, we will make sure you have a clear understanding of general studio etiquette and rules for using the HASS Media Lab for your lab times. This quiz covers the Level 1 guidelines.
THREE (3) HOMEWORKS (5% each, 15% total)
Homeworks are assigned to coincide with reading assignments and lecture content, with up to fifteen questions covering salient points from both.
Three (3) LABS (5% each, 15% total)
LAB 1 requires students to import and assemble pre-recorded audio tracks in ProTools.
LAB 2 requires students to record an audio event using a single microphone.
LAB 3 requires the student to use a portable recording device to do location audio recording.
PROFICIENCY TEST (ON CAMPUS)-Level 3
Student will demonstrate ability to create a ProTools session, set up and record two microphones, bounce and store a mix, and tear down session efficiently.
MIDTERM EXAM (30%)
Covers salient points of readings and lectures in first half of semester, plus important studio techniques learned.
FINAL LAB (35%)
Student must create and mix eight tracks in ProTools, with four having been recorded by student using microphones and direct boxes. Selection must be at least two minutes long and reasonably well-mixed at a professional volume level. Sessions and mixes must follow NARAS guidelines for deliverables.
GRADING SCALE
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 60-66
F 0-59
Attendance Policy/Unexcused Absences
Since we will be working to make it possible for you to be present in the HASS Media Studio for class on campus this semester, please be sure to be present to take advantage of the opportunity. But if the pandemic has you feeling very anxious and you would prefer to switch to online only, school policy dictates that I will need to be notified immediately by email, with a cc sent to your academic advisor, and this change in format will (at present) requires permission from the University President. Classes missed without this occurring will count as full absences which, after the third one, begin to directly affect your final grade negatively, with a half-grade subtraction per absence thereafter.
It is best for both of us for you to have documentation for the reason of your absence obtained through the Student Success Office. However, an absence can (on occasion) become an excused one by informing me of your extremely good reason beforehand or, if it’s an emergency, as soon as possible after class. Activities for other classes cannot be used as reasons or excuses for absences in this class. If you have a sports-related absence, you must notify me with a list of all classes you expect to miss in advance.
Lateness
I am allowing time for cross-campus transit and disinfection protocols this semester, but please keep it real. Sustained extreme tardiness will result in escalating discussions and eventually grade degradation if not curtailed or adequately excused. Please don’t be late if you can help it.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Labs are due on the dates indicated. Ten percent of your grade will be deducted for any lab submitted after the due date and ten percent for each day late thereafter, with no lab accepted more than five days after the due date. A missed quiz will result in a score of 0 for that quiz, unless due to an excused absence, in which it is the responsibility of the student to make suitable arrangements with me for making it up.
Class attendance and participation in class activities are required. Students who miss class for extended periods of time without permission or explanation will be reported to the Dean of Students Office or the Department of Public Safety for support and assistance, as needed. Request for accommodations, exceptions, extensions, or incomplete grades due to illnesses or personal emergencies must be supported by written documentation from the Dean of Students or the Dean of Undergraduate Education.
Rensselaer’s policies on electronic citizenship and intellectual property are explained in Rensselaer’s Guidelines for Computer Use (http://www.rpi.edu/dept/arc/web/menus/ethics.html). Violations of these policies will be reported to the Dean of Students and the Dean of the student’s college or school.
Students’ rights and responsibilities are explained in The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: 2014-2016 (http://www.rpi.edu/dept/doso/resources/judicial/docs/2014-2016RPIHandbookofStudentRightsandResponsibilitiesAUGUST2014.pdf) and govern the conduct of both faculty and students. Rensselaer’s policies on academic integrity are explained on pp. 15-18 and include strict prohibitions against academic dishonesty. Please note in particular that the plagiarism is “the omission of acknowledgement or reference” of sources, whether or not intentional (so “I did not mean to plagiarize” is not an adequate excuse.)
Examples of academic dishonesty that we all would appreciate avoidance of include the following (this is not an exhaustive or exclusive list):
Academic Fraud: The alteration of documentation relating to the grading process. For example, changing exam solutions to negotiate for a higher grade or tampering with an instructor’s grade book.
Collaboration: Deliberately facilitating an act of academic dishonesty in any way or form. For example, allowing another student to observe an exam paper or allowing another student to “recycle” one’s old term paper or using one another’s work in a paper or lab report without citing it as another’s work.
Copying: Obtaining information pertaining to a graded exercise by deliberately observing the paper of another student. For example, noting which alternative a neighboring student has circled on a multiple-choice exam.
Cribbing: Use or attempted use of prohibited materials, information, or study aids in an academic exercise. For example, using an unauthorized formal sheet during an exam.
Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information in an academic exercise. For example, use of “bought” or “ready-made” term papers, or falsifying lab records or reports.
Plagiarism: Representing the work or words of another as one’s own through the omission of acknowledgment or reference. For example, using sentences verbatim from a published source in a term paper without appropriate referencing, or presenting as one’s own the detailed argument of a published source, or presenting as one’s own electronically or digitally enhanced graphic representations from any form of media.
Sabotage: Destruction of another student’s work. For example, destroying a model, lab experiment, computer program, or term paper developed by another student.
Substitution: Utilizing a proxy, or acting as a proxy, in any academic exercise. For example, taking an exam for another student or having a homework assignment done by someone else.
Incidents of academic dishonesty on any assignment will be graded 0 points for the assignment and may be reported to the Dean of Students and the Dean of the student’s college or school, with a request that the incident be entered into the student’s permanent record at Rensselaer.
Appeals Process: Decisions by the instructor may be appealed through the Head, Department of Communication and Media; the Dean, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; and/or the Dean of Students Office.