Schedule

1

aug 30 - class intro / syllabus review / studio tour

prior to our first class meeting:
read: the course syllabus and schedule
read: Modern Recording Techniques, 7th edition by Huber & Runstein (MRT) ch 1 - eBook available from the Towson Library
or download the first chapter here
*please take notes - we will have a short quiz on this chapter during our first class
fill out this questionnaire - please email it to me by 9/2 or before

In Class
introduction to the course / syllabus review - any questions?
quiz + review; chapter 1
studio tour - critical listening session / mix analysis demo

2

sept 6 - sound and hearing

read: Modern Recording Techniques, ch 2 (ch 3 optional)
watch (optional): acoustics video 1 -- video 2
browse: this short article or hearing health info from HEAR
do: practice mix analysis (try at least two different tracks)
acoustics demo + lab
critical listening session 2 - recording / mix analysis

3

sept 13 - microphone basics: selection / placement

read: MRT ch 4: read pg 111-148, browse pg 149-179 (ch 5 optional)
optional: watch this video on microphone types - or this 4 part series
studio session - mono mic techniques
assign microphone for reports - our studio microphone list is here
read: (optional) a simple guide to microphone specifications is here a more detailed version is here
intro to technical ear training
due: mix analysis 1 - please read these instructions and refer to the examples we did in class

4

sept 20 - stereo recording techniques

quiz ? chapters 1, 2, 4 ?
read: Bartlett, Stereo Microphone Techniques
watch: this short video on stereo mic techniques
read: recommended / optional - Bartlett, Stereo Recording Procedures
another good article describing stereo microphone techniques
studio session - stereo recording techniques
do: start working on your microphone research project / report - instructions are here
due: ear training exercise 1 - please carefully read the instructions, which are located here

5

sept 27 - digital audio

read: MRT ch 6: pg 199-229
in class: studio session, microphone techniques + more critical listening and mix analysis
tutorial - meter and musical form (as needed) + intro to music theory resources
due: microphone report - email report to me - please read and follow these instructions

6

oct 4 - digital audio workstation + editing

read: MRT ch 7 (ch 8-9 optional)
read: recommended / optional - audio editing in DAWs in Sound on Sound
audio lab - DAW + editing
midterm review materials are on line here - please review prior to class and write down any questions to go over
due: mix analysis 2 analyze this mix - instructions are the same as last time + *include an analysis / description of the form of the song - please use terms (intro, verse, chorus...) and include time info for each section

7

oct 11 - introduction to signal flow + midterm

read: MRT ch 13: pg 423-449 - introduction to signal flow
go over some of your mix analysis write ups (time permitting)
take the midterm - midterm review materials are on line here

8

oct 18 - studio signal flow / patching / busing + mixing basics

read: MRT ch 13: pg 449-467
audio lab - signal flow / patching
due: ear training report 2 - please carefully read the instructions, which are located here

9

oct 25 - session techniques and procedures

read: MRT ch 20
multitrack recording session
check out some of the grammy.org guidelines for session documentation here
read: recommended / optional - interesting article on analyzing commercial mixes from Sound on Sound
due: mix analysis 3 (optional - if you need more work on mix analysis) - the file is here

10

nov 1 - basic mixing and signal processing 1

read: MRT ch 14: pg 469-490
audio lab - mixing basics and signal processing
listening session - mix analysis review / production overview
work on on basic rough mix - session set up, basic balance, pan, and blend (bring session to class on portable drive)
project instructions are here (we will also go over this in class)

11

nov 8 - signal processing 2 + alternative approaches

quiz ? chapters 13, 14, 20 - take home test?
read: MRT ch 14: pg 491-512
review / continuation of chapter 14 -more signal processing - time-based fx's + alternative approaches
read: please read at least one classic tracks articles
start thinking about your recording research project
due: mix 1 - please carefully read the project instructions here
review mix 1

12

nov 15 - monitoring + mixing techniques

read: MRT ch 16
audio lab - working on mix 2
read / browse: Please check out Choosing Studio Monitors from Electronic Musician
read / browse: please check out some of the mix related articles here
start working on your recording research project
start on mix 2 assignment - instructions are here

13

nov 22 - surround

read: MRT ch 17
surround sound listening session
due: please email me with your recording paper subject and at least 3 potential references
due: mix 2 - instructions are here
listen to some of the mix 2 projects

14

nov 29 - mastering

read: MRT ch 18
mastering demo
final exam review
listen to some of the mix 2 projects
if you have not already - please email me with your recording paper subject and at least 3 potential references
please see instructions here

15

dec 6 -recording project presentations

recording project paper due + in-class presentations - please see instructions here

16 

dec 14th 3-5pm - final meeting

final exam review guide is here