Kruse - Audio Engineering For Music Educators Syllabus

MUS ###: AUDIO ENGINEERING FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS PAGE 3
MUS
###:
Audio
Engineering
for Music
Educators

Course Goals
To explore audio engineering
technologies and their
potential applications to
classroom music settings.
To challenge dominating
narratives and normative
assumptions affecting our
conceptions of music and
music education.
To grow as individuals and as
a community of learners,
educators, and musicians.
Enduring Questions
Over the course of the
semester, we will return to
these two enduring questions:
1. How might skills and
understandings in audio
engineering be used in music
classrooms as we have known
and experienced them?
2. How might skills and
understandings in audio
engineering contribute to the
world of possibilities in future
music classrooms?

Required Text

Audio Engineering 101:
A Beginners Guide to
Music Production
by Timothy A. Dittmar
Focal Press
1
st
Edition
Supplemental readings, videos,
and other materials will be
posted to the class Edmodo
website.

Course Time
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:00am-11:50am
Course Location
Music Building
Room ###
Course Website
http://www.edmodo.com
Group Code: XXXXXX

Instructor
Adam Kruse
Email
kruseaj@gmail.com
Office Hours
Music Building
Office ###
Tuesdays & Thursdays
12:00pm-1:00pm
or by appointment
Music educators in a variety of settings can make meaningful use of audio
engineering technology. This course will explore the technology, skills, and
understandings related to live sound, audio recording, and digital music creation
with a focus on their potential applications to classroom music settings.

Attendance
Students are permitted two
absences during the semester.
Each absence beyond two will
result in lowering a students
grade by 0.5 (on the 4-point
scale). Every two instances of
tardiness will be counted as
one absence. Students are not
required to contact the
instructor ahead of time
regarding absences, but
advanced notice and prompt
communication are
appreciated.
Classroom Environment
This classroom will support an
inclusive learning environment
where diversity and individual
differences are appreciated,
respected, and recognized as a
source of strength. It is
expected that all participants
will respect differences and
demonstrate diligence in
understanding how other
peoples' perspectives,
behaviors, and worldviews may
be different from their own.
Class Portfolio
All students will keep an online
digital portfolio of assignments
and projects for this course.
Instructions for creating and
maintaining these portfolios
will be covered during class.
Turning in most assignments
and projects for this course will
include uploading documents,
files, and other materials to
each students portfolio.
Please do not turn anything
in on paper!

Academic Honesty
and Integrity
It is assumed that the
student is honest and
that all course work
and examinations
represent the student's
own work. Violations
of the academic
integrity policy such as
cheating, plagiarism,
selling course
assignments or
academic fraud are
grounds for academic
action and/or
disciplinary sanction as
described in the university's
student conduct code.
Incidents of plagiarism are
taken very seriously and will
be pursued. Students are
strongly cautioned not to copy
any text verbatim or use
someone else's ideas on class
quizzes, tests, reports, projects,
or other class assignments
without using appropriate
quotations and source
citations.
For university regulations on
academic dishonesty and
plagiarism, refer to:
http://LINK
Accommodations for
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities
should contact the Resource
Center for Persons with
Disabilities to establish
reasonable accommodations.
For an appointment with a
counselor, call ###-####
(voice) or ###-####
(TTY). The course instructor
may request a VISA Form
(Verified Individual Student
Accommodations Form) from a
student requesting services.

Feedback Loops
While audio engineers try
to avoid feedback loops in
live sound and recording
scenarios, our class will
frequently employ a
variety of (non-audio)
feedback with the hopes
of making this experience
as positive and valuable
as possible for everyone
involved. This means
that students will be
asked frequently to
provide anonymous
feedback for the
instructor and will be
expected to communicate
with one another and the
instructor about issues,
questions, and concerns.
Students can also expect
frequent and timely
feedback from the
instructor on their
assignments, projects,
and general progress in
the course.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

LIVE SOUND
RECORDING
DIGITAL MUSIC CREATION
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS
Signal Flows (due: Sept. 11
th
upload to portfolio)
Students will create a visual depiction of audio signal flow from sound source to speaker based on multiple given
scenarios. The assignment will require basic understanding of audio equipment covered in class readings and activities.
For each given scenario, students will create a separate signal flow chart, which provides labels for equipment (including
cables!) and visually demonstrates the progression of audio signal. Finished products will be either pdf or image files.
Stage Plots (due: Sept. 23
rd
Students will choose a live music performance setting and create a stage plot that reflects the physical arrangement of the
stage as well as all necessary microphones, inputs, monitors, etc. Resources for developing stage plots will be explored
during class. Finished products will be either pdf or image files.
Enduring Questions #1 (due: Sept. 30
th
turn in to instructor via email)
Students will respond to the courses two enduring questions (see page one of the syllabus). Students may choose any
format as long as the questions are clearly and concisely addressed.
Karaoke Concert (due: TBD)
Students will host a live karaoke concert on or near campus at a site to be determined. Students will be responsible for
setting up (and tearing down) all necessary audio equipment, emceeing, and running the soundboard during the concert.
Specific duties and expectations will be developed as a class, but all students will take a turn running sound at the event.
Equipment Requests (due: Oct. 9
th
Given a variety of music education settings, students will choose ONE and complete an equipment request form
(provided). This will include all of the necessary audio equipment (including cables!) and prices found online to meet the
needs of the given scenario.
Multi-Track Recording Project (due: Oct. 30
th
upload final audio file to portfolio)
Students will create a cover song recording consisting of at least one live sound source and at least one other track (live
sound or digital). Tracks should be balanced, mixed, and mastered into a single audio file. Students may use other
DAWs of their choice, but GarageBand and Audacity will be covered in class. For in-class presentation, students will
present their final audio file as well as the multi-track work desk screen of their DAW.
Enduring Questions #2 (due: Nov. 4
th
turn in to instructor via email)
Podcast Episode (due: Dec. 9
th
Students will create a podcast episode using either of the formats described in course readings (Boldens My Story with
Music or Garrety & Schmidts Digital Storytelling). Podcast episodes should include both spoken word and either
prerecorded or live music. Finished products will be in the form of a single audio file (specific formats covered in class).
Sampling Assignment (due: Nov. 13
th
shared during class)
All students will be given the same audio recording and asked to create at least three usable samples. The samples can
include effects (e.g., pitch-shifting, filtering), but should retain some recognizable character of the original recording.
Each sample should be saved as a separate audio file.
Backing Track Project (due: Dec. 9
th
upload final audio file to portfolio)
Students will create a backing track utilizing at least one sample (from a different source than the sampling assignment),
and any mix of live sound or digital sound sources. The backing track should include at least two distinct sections (e.g.,
verse and chorus), be assembled in an accessible and understandable form (e.g., ABABA, ABABACA), and demonstrate a
creative use of musical textures. Tracks should be balanced, mixed, and mastered into a single audio file. Students may
use other DAWs of their choice, but GarageBand and Audacity will be covered in class. For in-class presentation,
students will present their final audio file as well as the multi-track work desk screen of their DAW.
Enduring Questions #3 (due: Dec. 16
th
- turn in to instructor via email)

SOME RESOURCES

Audacity
We will use this free program for many of
our recording and digital music creation
assignments and activities. Go download it,
install it, and start exploring!
http://www.audacity.com

Basic Home Recording Studio
This site contains some pretty useful setup
diagrams for home recording studios.
http://www.basic-home-recording-
studio.com/setup-diagrams.html

The Garageband Guide
Useful site. Check it out.
http://thegaragebandguide.com

Reaper
We may not cover this one in class, but this
is another audio program worth exploring.
http://www.reaper.fm

StagePlot Pro
This site includes a free 30-day trial of
software you can use for your stage plot
assignment.
http://www.stageplot.com

ASSESSMENT & GRADING
Rubrics for assignments and projects will be co-developed by students in
class and will consist of both self- and instructor-assessment portions.
Once rubrics are developed, they will be posted to the class Edmodo site.
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE % OF FINAL GRADE
Reading Pop Quizzes Ongoing 10%
Signal Flows Sept. 11
th
5%
Stage Plots Sept. 23
rd
10%
Enduring Questions #1 Sept. 30
th
5%
Karaoke Concert TBD 10%
Equipment Requests Oct. 9
th
10%
Multi-Track Recording Project Oct. 30
th
15%
Enduring Questions #2 Nov. 4
th
5%
Sampling Assignment Nov. 13
th
5%
Podcast Episode Dec. 9
th
15%
Backing Track Project Dec. 9
th
15%
Enduring Questions #3 Dec. 16
th
10%

Grading Scale
4.0 = 100% - 95% 2.0 = 77% - 73%
3.5 = 94% - 88% 1.5 = 72% - 68%
3.0 = 87% - 83% 1.0 = 67% - 65%
2.5 = 82% - 78% below 65% is a failing grade

Choose one of
these projects.

DATE

TOPIC
Readings and other materials to have prepared prior to this class.

ASSIGNMENT DUE
All assignments should be completed
by 8:00am on the assigned day.
Tuesday,
Aug. 26
th

Course Introduction & Overview
Thursday,
Aug. 28
th

Online Portfolios, Music & The Web 2.0
Music Education Technology
Brainstorm (ungraded)
Tuesday,
Sept. 2
nd

Introduction to Live Sound
Read: Dittmar, Chapter 1
Read: Live Sound Survival Guide, pages 4-5

Thursday,
Sept. 4
th

Signal Flow
Watch: Signal Flow video posted to Edmodo site.
Portfolios should be online
by this date.
Tuesday,
Sept. 9
th

Microphones

Thursday,
Sept. 11
th

Mixers
Signal Flows
Tuesday,
Sept. 16
th

Stage Setup
Read: Live Sound Survival Guide, pages 14-17 & 28-30

Thursday,
Sept. 18
th

Signal Processing & Equalization

Tuesday,
Sept. 23
rd

Amplifying Instruments
Stage Plots
Thursday,
Sept. 25
th

In-Class Open Mic Concert
Be prepared to both share a song and run the sound system
during todays in-class concert.

Tuesday,
Sept. 30
th

Introduction to Recording
Read: Putting a Studio in the Mix Criswell
Enduring Questions #1
Thursday,
Oct. 2
nd

Equipment & Setup
Read: Music Production & Recording Handbook, pages 5-18

Tuesday,
Oct. 7
th

Recording Live Instruments
Read: Music Production & Recording Handbook, pages 19-25

Thursday,
Oct. 9
th

Exploring & Troubleshooting
Bring your laptop and headphones!
Equipment Requests
Tuesday,
Oct. 14
th

Editing
Read: Learner-Created Podcasts Bolden
Read: Digital Storytelling Garrety & Schmidt

Thursday,
Oct. 16
th


Tuesday,
Oct. 21
st

Mixing & Mastering
Read: Mixdown for Mastering Tips Lagerfeldt


Thursday,
Oct. 23
rd


Tuesday,
Oct. 28
th

Guest Lecture: Music Education & The Recording
Studio
Lecturer: TBD

Thursday,
Oct. 30
th

Project Share Day Multi-Track Recording Project
Tuesday,
Nov. 4
th

Introduction to Digital Music Creation Enduring Questions #2
Thursday,
Nov. 6
th

Sampling
Watch: Audacity and GarageBand sampling tutorial videos
posted to the Edmodo site.

Tuesday,
Nov. 11
th

Creating Music with Textural Nuance
Read: Black Noise excerpt Rose

Thursday,
Nov. 13
th

MIDI
Watch: Intro to MIDI video posted to the Edmodo site.
Visit: http://www.midiworld.com and look around a bit.
Sampling Assignment
Tuesday,
Nov. 18
th

Virtual Instruments
Search: For video examples of iPad bands online.
If you find something great post it to the Edmodo site.

Thursday,
Nov. 20
th

Synthesizers & Drum Machines
Read: A Brief Introduction to Synthesizers Kotak

Tuesday,
Nov. 25
th

THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASS
Thursday,
Nov. 27
th

THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASS
Tuesday,
Dec. 2
nd


Thursday,
Dec. 4
th


Tuesday,
Dec. 9
th

Project Share Day
Podcast Episode ~ OR ~
Backing Track Project
Tuesday,
Dec. 16
th

Class will not meet during Finals Week. Enduring Questions #3

Kruse - Audio Engineering For Music Educators Syllabus

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