Live Sound Workshop Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Music Building 311

Office Hours

Office hours vary based on the needs of students and the community. Please e-mail rsbeckett@actx.edu to schedule and appointment.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
- NOTE: The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

MUSC-1120-001 Live Sound Workshop

Prerequisites

Corequisite: MUSC 1327

Course Description

Basic sound system operation. Includes mixing boards and microphones. Also addresses solving common problems such as feedback.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of neuromusculoskeletal, vocal and hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music. Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM. The following links address the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, neuromusculoskeletal and vocal injury—all of which are widespread and serious public health issues for musicians and others.

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health

Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/4a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Guide-Standard_June-2014.pdf

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health :

Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-nms-vocal-health/

Student information sheets:

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(1 sem hr; 3 lab)

Class Type

Clinical

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

As assigned by the needs of the course.

Supplies

As assigned by needs of the class and the instructor

Student Performance

At the completion of this course, the student should have learned to:

To establish the concepts and command of sound production essentials.
Demonstrate the ability to use standard software packages in order to meet the needs of the audio recording professional.
Learn and implement the techniques for live audio recording, including, but not limited to, microphone placement, cable running, sound checks/leveling, and live acoustics.
Learn and demonstrate proper techniques of studio recording and audio production.
Study of live and multi-track recording, production, editing, mixing, mastering, non-linear recording and editing, SMPTE synchronization, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), electronics, acoustics, computer programming, multimedia, and audio for video.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Professional attitude in any and all course situations. Great attendance

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA/GRADE SCALE:

Exam 1- 25%

Exam 2- 25%

Live Sound Projects (As assigned during the semester)- 25%

Participation and Discussion- 25% (Yes, one must participate in the course discussions) (Including class, recording, mixing, and project sessions- ALL TBD, SO PLEASE BE FLEXIBLE)

Final Grade is based on the following scale (a 10-point scale):

A= 90-100

B= 80-89

C= 70-79

D= 60-69

F= Below 60%

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Notification of excused absences (subject to approval of instructor) must be made 48 hours IN ADVANCE of the class period being missed, and only for plausible reasons accompanied with proper documentation. You may contact me through the course AC Online e-mail function. You will be responsible for material and assignments that are covered in the class period that you miss. NO MORE THAN TWO EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE ALLOWED (after 6 absences, the instructor reserves the right to fail the student). Emergencies can occur, and these will be dealt with on an individual basis. Being late to class and leaving class early will be considered absent. Please note that this policy does not cover unexcused absences. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated and will lower your grade. Students are expected to schedule the final examination time, for this class, and others, into their respective schedules. You are responsible for that time and being in class during that timeframe. A minimum subtraction of 1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for all unexcused absences. All students are expected to be in class on time (including Course presentations) and stay the entire scheduled time. Students are not allowed to miss examinations. Plan ahead and accordingly. “My computer crashed” is not an acceptable excuse. After two instances have occurred, the instructor reserves the right to fail the student. Emergencies can occur, and these will be dealt with on an individual basis, but please contact me without panicking, and know that I want you to succeed but will not allow slacking. Excused absences will be accompanied with a appropriate document of legal note (Physicians note, court order, death certificate, Police report, etc…, “My Girlfriend’s fish died” is not an appropriate excuse. PLEASE BE AT ALL EVENTS WELL-AHEAD OF TIME! SOUND ENGINEERS ARE THE FIRST ONES THERE, AND THE LAST TO LEAVE! IF WE DO OUR JOBS CORRECTLY, NO ONE KNOWS THAT WE ARE THERE!

Calendar

Every Wednesday evening from 5-8:30pm at either the AC Campus, or at a live studio facility (all students will be alerted to the location either via text of email at the Professor’s discretion)

Additional Information

Applied Course of Study for Live Sound Laboratory MUSC-1120

PROFESSOR NAME: R. Scott Beckett

OFFICE LOCATION: MB311

OFFICE HOURS: TBA, by appointment

PHONE: (806) 371-5351

E-MAIL: rsbeckett@actx.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Laboratory Class attached to MUSC-1327- This course of study is designed to establish and enhance a student’s musicianship, technical proficiency and facility, pedagogical skills, and a knowledge of concepts, in order to meet the requirements and demands of a professional musician within the field of audio recording, using synthesizers, computers, sequencing, music printing software, multi-track recorders, MIDI interfaces, cabling and equipment, in the notation arrangement, composition and production of music.

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in MUSC-1327 (corequisite)

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the completion of this course, the student should have learned to:

To establish the concepts and command of sound production essentials.
Demonstrate the ability to use standard software packages in order to meet the needs of the audio recording professional.
Learn and implement the techniques for live audio recording, including, but not limited to, microphone placement, cable running, sound checks/leveling, and live acoustics.
Learn and demonstrate proper techniques of studio recording and audio production.
Study of live and multi-track recording, production, editing, mixing, mastering, non-linear recording and editing, SMPTE synchronization, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), electronics, acoustics, computer programming, multimedia, and audio for video.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Notification of excused absences (subject to approval of instructor) must be made 48 hours IN ADVANCE of the class period being missed, and only for plausible reasons accompanied with proper documentation. You may contact me through the course AC Online e-mail function. You will be responsible for material and assignments that are covered in the class period that you miss. NO MORE THAN TWO EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE ALLOWED (after 6 absences, the instructor reserves the right to fail the student). Emergencies can occur, and these will be dealt with on an individual basis. Being late to class and leaving class early will be considered absent. Please note that this policy does not cover unexcused absences. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated and will lower your grade. Students are expected to schedule the final examination time, for this class, and others, into their respective schedules. You are responsible for that time and being in class during that timeframe. A minimum subtraction of 1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for all unexcused absences. All students are expected to be in class on time (including Course presentations) and stay the entire scheduled time. Students are not allowed to miss examinations. Plan ahead and accordingly. “My computer crashed” is not an acceptable excuse. After two instances have occurred, the instructor reserves the right to fail the student. Emergencies can occur, and these will be dealt with on an individual basis, but please contact me without panicking, and know that I want you to succeed but will not allow slacking. Excused absences will be accompanied with a appropriate document of legal note (Physicians note, court order, death certificate, Police report, etc…, “My Girlfriend’s fish died” is not an appropriate excuse. PLEASE BE AT ALL EVENTS WELL-AHEAD OF TIME! SOUND ENGINEERS ARE THE FIRST ONES THERE, AND THE LAST TO LEAVE! IF WE DO OUR JOBS CORRECTLY, NO ONE KNOWS THAT WE ARE THERE!

DISABILITY STATEMENT: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact DisAbility Services (SSC 125, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.