Recording Arts Workshop
Music 265

Lecture 2 hours, Laboratory 2 hours

Prerequisite: Music 165 with a grade of “C” or better

The objective of Recording Arts Workshop is to develop a knowledge base that will enable you to understand the working principles of modern professional recording techniques. The class builds on the foundation acquired in Music 165, Introduction to Recording Arts, and so, expands on the topics covered in that class. You will produce, record and mix down several audio recording projects to a level that would be expected of professional recording engineer. The class is repeatable 3 times. Subjects covered include:

Control room and studio design:
• floor plans
• construction
• cables and wiring

Basic sound systems:
• purpose
• input and output transducers
• conceptual model

Sound measurement systems:
• decibels
• acoustic levels
• electrical level
• RMS
• loudness
• .dBv
• .dBw
• .dBfs

System specifications:
• frequency response
• noise
• distortion
• standard operating levels
• impedance
• input levels

Block diagrams and specifications:
• symbolic conventions
• notational conventions
• tape recorder electronics
• mixer console electronics

Digital audio:
• theory
• sampling
• audio converters
• signal flow

Monitors and loudspeakers:
• monitor system
• design types
• driver types
• placement

Effects processors:
• dynamics processors
• equalizers digital delay
• reverberation

Overdubbing and cueing:
• cueing systems

Acoustics:
• measurement
• terminology
• harmonic overtones
• hearing frequency range
• inharmonic overtones
• instrument frequency range
• vocal instrument range
• standing waves
• room resonance
• absorption factors

Microphones:
• wireless microphone systems
• functional design
• choosing types
• directional cues
• stereo microphone placement

Stereo and multitrack recording procedure:
• slating; track order
• session type
• tracking
• overdubbing
• mixdown
• documentation

Filters:
• types; parts
• equalization
• functions
• applications

Mixing procedures:
• equalization
• reverberation
• spatial organization
• tonal balance
• dynamic balance
• special effects
• acoustical range
• electrical range
• headroom

By the conslusion of the 3 semester sequence you will be able to:

1. Arrange and employ the use of microphones for optimum results in a recording environment.

2. Demonstrate digital multitrack recording techniques used in a professionally equipped recording studio

3. Recognize and apply principles relating to audio systems design, signal processors, signal flow, input/output/monitoring modules in a mixdown environment.

4. Analyze basic principles of analog and digital recordings and evaluate the factors affecting the recorded quality.

5. Examine and evaluate the different roles of personnel in a professional recording environment including:
First Engineer,
Second Engineer,
Recording Engineer,
Mixing Engineer,
Mastering Engineer.

6. Organize and prepare a professional quality recording session.


For enrollment in Music 265, you must have completed music 165 with a grade of C or better or have permission from Dr. Perkins. Please consult the current schedule of classes for day and time.

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