Presentation of general principles of sound in air, characteristics of sound in recording, and applications of sound reinforcement.  Topics include general acoustics, microphones, basic signal flow, the audio production console, signal processing, and other basic audio engineering skills needed to succeed in the music business.

This course is a study of sound, its properties and measurements, how we hear, how you must hear as an engineer and how to use audio equipment to best capture sound (particularly music) without harming it. Each class will consist of two sessions. The first session will consist of an interactive lecture on the scheduled topic (see Course Schedule) followed by demonstrations of the skills and techniques discussed. Supplemental field trips, special projects, and guest lecturers may be included in the curriculum.

•           Maintain an official ACC Student email account and check it regularly. All email communication from ACC and this class will be sent to that address.  http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/

•           Monitor Blackboard for messages and complete assignments

•           Communicate challenges, need for help, frustration, emergencies, changes, etc.

•           Participate in class discussion & activities

•           Submit all work via email to Charles.medlin@austincc.edu

•           Complete work as assigned

Audio Engineering 101, A Beginner’s Guide to Music Production 2nd Edition by Timothy A. Dittmar

Suggested Reading: Tape Op  www.tapeop.com

Students will master the fundamentals of sound, acoustics, and electronics with emphasis on developing the basic knowledge and skills to produce professional grade audio recordings.

Audio 1 Spring 2022 Course Outline (tentative)

Class 1 Go over Syllabus, Intro to Pro Tools and Out of The Box Mixing, Get Book

Class 2 More Intro to Pro Tools and Out of the Box Mixing

Class 3 Seven Characteristics of Sound, Preface and Ch. 1 Quiz 1 Assigned

Class 4 Listening Ch 2, EQ Ch 3, Analysis Paper Ch. 2 p. 24 Assigned

Class 5 Track Sheets, Pro Tools Track Sheet Presentation Assigned, Quiz 1 Due

Class 6 EQ Examples, Quiz 2 and 3 Due, Analog Consoles Track Sheet Lab

Class 7 Mixing with EQ

Class 8 People Skills Ch. 11, Pro Tools Track Sheet Review

Class 9 Pro Tools Track Sheet Presentation

Class 10 Mixing Consoles Ch. 4

Class 11 Signal Flow Ch. 5, Connection types, Analysis Paper Due.

Class 12 Microphone Basics Ch 6, Quiz 4 and 5 Due, Microphone Quiz Assigned

Class 13 Studio Session Procedures Ch., 8

Class 14 Recording Lab (Studio A)

Class 15 Recording with Pro Tools Lecture

Class 16 Recording Overdubs Lab, (Studio A) Quiz 6 Due, Microphone Quiz Due

Class 17 Acoustics Ch. 9 MID TERM EXAM assigned

Class 18 Editing with Pro Tools, Edit Lab Assigned, Quiz 8 and 9 Due

Class 19 More Editing with Pro Tools

Class 20 More Mixing Ch. 4, Serial Vs Parallel Signal Flow in Pro Tools

Class 21 Signal Processing Ch. 7

Class 22 More Signal Processing and Mixing, Quiz 7 Due, 

Class 23 More Signal Processing and Mixing, MID TERM EXAM DUE.

Class 24 History of Audio Ch. 10, Movie Link, Edit Lab Due, Quiz 10 Due

Class 25 More Mixing and Signal Processing, Mix Lab Assigned,

Class 26 Mixing in Pro Tools

Class 27 Review for Final, Mixing Out of the Box Final Assigned

Class 28 More Mixing Out of the Box (Studio A)

Class 29 More Mixing in Pro Tools

Class 30 Internships Ch. 12 Mix Lab Due

Class 31 Jobs Ch. 13 Final Due

Due to the cumulative, technical nature of the subject matter and the valuable experience in the studio, any classes missed will seriously jeopardize the successful comprehension and completion of this course. More than three absences could result in a failing grade for the course since 1/2 of the grade is attendance and participation related. The instructor may initiate a withdrawal for any student who misses 8 or more classes or fails to turn in at least 50% of assignments or tests by their final deadline.

Makeup exams may be given if arrangements are made prior to the exam date. Students will not receive full credit for assignments turned in late. Extra credit assignments may be issued on a case-by-case basis.

An incomplete may be given to a student under special circumstances. If you feel this is necessary you must discuss the issue with the instructor no less than three weeks prior to the end of the semester.

Attendance                                         25%

Participation                                        25%

Assignments/Quizzes                         25%

Mid Term Exam/Final Lab                   25%

•Americans with Disabilities Act

 “Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.” (ACC Student Handbook)