Digital Audio Production for Music Syllabus


COURSE MUSI/COMM/FINA 110
TIME/LOCATION 1:00-1:50 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays/Steinman 210
INSTRUCTOR Pandel Collaros
OFFICE 211 Steinman
HOURS by appointment
PHONES (office) 829-7331, (home) 740-264-5739
E-MAIL collaros623@comcast.net
WEB PAGE http://home.comcast.net/~collaros623/index.htm
REQUIRED
   MATERIALS
•    Nahmani, David. 2008. Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express 8. Apple Pro training series. Berkeley, CA: 
      Peachpit Press.
•    Blank CDs and CD-RWs
RATIONALE This course exists to address a need for instruction in a large segment of the ever-expanding field of digital technology.  Digital audio recording is of primary importance to musicians and the music, film, and television industries, as well as to the burgeoning variety of online digital platforms and services.  As such it has become a key component in arts education, the economics of mass media, and culture.
DESCRIPTION
MUSI/COMM/FINA 110 is an introduction to the processes of digital audio production for music.  It is designed to be a "quick-start" process for those who want to learn how to record, edit, process, and mix musical materials of all types (e.g.:  acoustic, digital, electronic analog, and MIDI-controlled).  This course will provide the foundation for more in-depth and comprehensive study of the art of digital audio production.
ATTENDANCE
   POLICY

Attendance is highly recommended.  Much of the course material presented requires physical familiarity with the equipment.  Quizzes missed for whatever reason may not be made up.  The instructor is the sole arbiter of whether an absence is excused or unexcused; the instructor will make such a determination in a fair and objective way on an ad hoc basis.  For quizzes missed because of such excused absence, no grade will be entered.  For quizzes missed because of an unexcused absence, the grade will be a 0 for the missed assignment(s).
ASSESSABLE
   LEARNING
   GOALS
Proficiency with the course content and objectives will be assessed by
  1. traditional written quizzes that will measure the student's content knowledge,
  2. laboratory quizzes in which the student will be given specific tasks to accomplish in a studio setting,
  3. a major digital audio project designed and executed by the student (e.g.:  musical piece, short musical soundtrack).  Rubrics will be associated with learning goals 2 and 3.
RUBRICS Laboratory Quiz 1 Rubric     Laboratory Quiz 2 Rubric     Laboratory Quiz 3 Rubric    
Project Part 1 Rubric             Project Part 2 Rubric            Project Part 3 Rubric
OBJECTIVES
Cognitive and practical objectives:
These include knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of digital audio processes, techniques, products and results.
Affective objectives:
One of the affective objectives of this course is to appreciate the practical, economic, cultural, and social importance of digital audio technology.  The other affective objective is to develop the understanding that working with digital audio can be a path to lifelong learning, self-expression, confidence, open and precise communication, and critical thinking as well as a career goal.
PREREQUISITES
Permission of instructor
GRADING
•    30% Laboratory quizzes
•    60% Audio project
•    10% Participation

SCALE
A 93-100% B- 80-82% D+ 67-69%
A-
90-92% C+ 77-79%
D 63-66%
B+
87-89% C 73-76% D- 60-62%
B 83-86% C- 70-72% 
F 00-59%
EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A WORKING E-MAIL ADDRESS, AND RESPONSIBLE FOR MY HAVING IT, AND TO CHECK IT DAILY
FURTHER
   CLARIFICATION
   OF GRADING

•    There is no extra credit.  Late assignments will result in a lowering of the grade at the discretion of the
      instructor.  Factors to be included in participation include attendance, demeanor, active participation
      in class activities, and productive use of campus technological facilities to expand student
      participation beyond the space of the classroom and the times of regularly scheduled class meetings.
•    Academic Honesty:  Each student is expected to abide by the Bethany College Policy on Academic
      Honesty (see College Catalogue section on Academic Honesty).  Any work submitted by a student in
      this course for academic credit will be the student's own work.

FURTHER
   POLICIES

•    No final grades will be given out to anyone including graduating/comping seniors.  You will get    
     grades from the registrar.  This is irrevocable and without exception.  Don't even ask.
•    Before I will consider providing a reference or recommendation, you
     1.    Must have taken at least two classes with me, one of which must be an academic
     2.    Must have received an A or B in all courses taken with me
     3.    Right to seeing letter must be waived.
•    Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him/her from fully demonstrating    
      his/her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss
      accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate the educational opportunity.

The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time.