Course Syllabus DIGITAL AUDIO 1

MUSC 51A Digital Audio: Fundamentals Fall 2021  Section 4084

Day/Time  Thursday 9:00am – 12:50pm

2926 Maginni Hall

Instructor  Barry Blum

Phone  415 302 6463

Remote Office Hours  BY APPOINTMENT via Zoom

Email   Barry.blum@comcast.net or bblum@santarosa.edu

Catalog Description

This course covers the fundamentals of digital audio through a hands-on workshop in production
and editing with a digital audio workstation (DAW). Topics include the principles of audio and
digital recording, digital editing, the integration of digital audio and MIDI tracks, and digital
signal processing.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Current Enrollment in MUSC 50

Textbook and online resources

Modern+Recording+Techniques+9th+ed.pdf

www.groove3.com all access pass.

 

Recommended Resources and Reading: 

1.   “ALL ACCESS PASS” from www.groove3.com for online tutorials on Pro Tools and Ableton Live
2.   The Recording Engineer's Handbook 4th Edition by Bobby Owsinski
3.   The Mixing Engineer's Handbook 4th Edition by Bobby Owsinski
4.   Producing Great Sound for Film and Video 4th Edition by Jay Rose

Instructor prepared materials.

Materials

A Storage device such as a memstick or portable hard drive is required to save your assignments.  

Computer loaner Program

If you do not have a home computer, SRJC has made available computers for students who do not have computers powerful enough to run the software for this class.  More info here:  

Loaner Equipment Program | Information Technology (santarosa.edu)

Covid protocols

You are not legally required to wear a mask in class but I am kindly requesting that we all wear a mask in the class and maintain 6 feet spacing at all times.  The current covid transmission rate are at an all time high in our area.  As an obvious curtesy to your fellow students and to myself please follow this request. I have not got covid yet and I am in the group of people who are at great risk for life changing outcomes due to my preexisting health conditions.

 

Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Utilize and apply a working vocabulary of digital audio terminology.
2. Demonstrate hands-on proficiency with a DAW at an advanced level utilizing virtual instruments and audio plugin's to manipulate audio files.
3. Create sound design and musical cues to full motion video.
4. Capture, create and organize their own Sound effect and Music libraries.
5. Prepare master mix-downs that can then before formatted properly for digital video.

COURSE CONTENT
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Apply a working knowledge of digital audio concepts to produce, edit, and process audio files
in a variety of formats with a digital audio workstation (DAW).
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Utilize and apply a working vocabulary of digital audio terminology.
2. Explicate and apply the fundamentals of digital recording.
3. Demonstrate hands-on proficiency with a DAW at an intermediate level.
4. Mix and edit digital audio tracks, including integration with MIDI.
5. Explain and demonstrate a variety of digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.
Topics and Scope:
Lecture Topics:
I. Basics of Digital Editing
A. Nonlinear editing
B. Spectrum editing
AS Degree: Area Effective: Inactive:
CSU GE: Transfer Area Effective: Inactive:
IGETC: Transfer Area Effective: Inactive:
CSU Transfer: Transferable Effective: Fall 2009 Inactive:
UC Transfer: Effective: Inactive:
CID:
Version: 04 Course Created/Approved: 3/23/2009
Version Created: 10/30/2019 Course Last Modified: 12/18/2020
Submitter: Mark Anderman Course last full review: 11/9/2020
Version Status: Approved (Changed Course) Prereq Created/Approved: 11/9/2020
Version Status Date: 11/9/2020 Semester Last Taught:
Version Term Effective: Fall 2021 Term Inactive:
C. Scrubbing/jogging/shuttling
D. General editing guidelines
E. Edit Decision List (EDL)
F. File naming conventions
II. Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
A. Understanding signal flow
B. Audio plugins
III. Synthesis
A. Understanding synthesizer architecture
B. Building a synthesizer in a modular mode
C. Survey of synthesizer types
D. FM synthesis: Building presets and working with FM operators
IV. Samplers
A. Building an instrument in a sampler environment
B. Strategies for content within a sampler
C. Using DSP in a sampler environment
V. Survey of DAW Types
A. Common DAW terms
B. Workflow strategies
C. Using a DAW to compose music in various genres
VI. Digital Audio Editors
A. Destructive editing
B. Loop construction, file repair
VII. Mixing
A. Comparing your mix to an accepted standard
B. Synthesized music mixes vs. live instrument mixes
C. Cleaning tracks and other post production best practices
VIII. Mastering
Laboratory Topics:
I. Intermediate-Level Usage of the Digital Audio Workstation
II. Mixing and Editing Techniques
III. Integration of MIDI and Digital Audio Tracks
IV. Signal Processing Techniques
V. Digital Audio Projects
Assignment:
1. Reading (10-20 pp. per week) from the text, handouts, and/or online tutorials
2. Hands-on proficiency demonstrations (3-5) on the hardware and software
3. Quiz(zes) (1-3) on course topics (multiple choice/short answer/essay as needed)
4. Completion of required laboratory hours
5. Digital audio projects based on the laboratory topics above
6. Final digital audio project designed in consultation with the instructor
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade:
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skills
and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas
in writing.

Important Dates

TBD	Fall class schedule available (www.santarosa.edu)*
Thursday, August 12, 2021	District-designated activities
Friday, August 13, 2021	Mandatory Professional Development Activity Institutional Day (No classes)
Monday, August 16, 2021	CLASSES BEGIN
Sunday, August 22, 2021	Last day to register/add semester length class without instructor’s signature or add code
Sunday, August 29, 2021	Last day to drop semester length class and be eligible for a refund
Sunday, September 5, 2021	Last day to register/add semester length class with the instructor’s signature or add code
Sunday, September 5, 2021	Last day to drop a semester length class without “W” symbol
Monday, September 6, 2021	Labor Day Holiday (No Classes, District Closed)
Tuesday, September 7, 2021	First Census Day
Friday, September 17, 2021	Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Classes will meet)
Sunday, September 26, 2021	Last day to opt for P/NP for a semester length class
Monday, October 18 - Sunday, November 14, 2021	Midterm progress indicators posted in student portal
Wednesday, November 10, 2021	Professional Development Flex Day (No classes or activities)
Thursday, November 11, 2021	Veterans Day Holiday (No Classes, District Closed)
Sunday, November 14, 2021	Last day to drop a semester length class with “W” symbol
Friday, November 26, 2021	Professional Development 1/2 Flex Day (No classes or activities, District Closed)
Thursday, November 25 - Sunday, November 28, 2021	Thanksgiving Day Holidays (No Classes, District Closed)
Saturday, December 11 - Friday, December 17, 2021	Final Examinations
Saturday, December 18, 2021 - Sunday, January 16, 2022	Semester Break (No classes)
Friday, December 31, 2021	Final grade rosters due
Saturday, January 1, 2022	Fall semester processing finalized

Attendance and Grading Policy

The final course grade will fall approximately along these guidelines:

Audio project(s)                                                                      45%

Attendance & participation in in-class activities                   10%

Terminology quizzes Exams                                                  10%

Skill Demonstrations                                                              35%

 

Incomplete Grades

In some extreme circumstances, arrangements can be made for an incomplete (I) grade. Incomplete grades are appropriate when a student has been making satisfactory progress in a course, but is unable to finish for reasons beyond his or her control. Consult the District Grading Policy for more information: http://www.santarosa.edu/polman/3acadpro/3.10P.pdf

 

Guidelines for Assignment Submission

1. Turn in assignments on time. All homework is due the next class meeting after it is assigned. Late work will ONLY be accepted (for partial credit) if it is turned in before the next test.

2. Please make sure your name (first and last) is printed legibly on each page.

1. Please use pencil and write legibly. Confusing notation will be graded down.
2. Please turn in all pages of an assignment together. (For example, do not turn in only one page of a three-page assignment.)
3. Assignments can be left in my mailbox in the Music Office if you are unable to turn them in during class.

Classroom Decorum

Students are expected to show respect and courtesy for the instructor and fellow students at all times.

1. Please come to class on time – excessive tardiness is disruptive.
2. Please do not bring food to class.
3. Please turn off all cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the classroom immediately, but calmly. Our class will meet on the Forsyth North Lawn to ensure that everyone got out of the building safely and to receive further instructions. If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an evacuation, please see me during my office hours as soon as possible so that we can discuss an evacuation plan.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need disability-related accommodations for this course, such as a note taker, test-taking services, special furniture, use of service animal, etc., please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to me as soon as possible. You may also speak with me privately during office hours about your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly. (DRD is located in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and in Petaluma Village on the Petaluma Campus.)