COMMERCIAL MUSIC MANAGEMENT
(COURSE MASTER SYLLABUS)

MUSC 2448 AUDIO ENGINEERING IV


Required Text: Behind the Glass by Howard Massey and The Art of Music Production by Richard James Burgess. Suggested Reading: Inside Tracks by Richard Buskin, Good Vibrations (A History of Record Production) by Mark Cunningham. Tape Op (www.tapeop.com).

Course Description:
Examination of the role of the producer including recording, mixing, arranging, analyzing projects, session planning, communication, budgeting, business aspects, technical considerations, and music markets.

Outcomes and Objectives:
The student will outline the role, duties, and responsibilities of the producer; utilize advanced recording, mixing, and editing techniques; summarize session planning, communication, budgeting, and music markets; and execute advanced recording and producing projects.

Attendance Policy: Missing more than 3 classes may result in a failing grade.

	• Attendance....................................................................	25%
	• Exams............................................................................	25%
	• Reasearch Paper...........................................................	25%
	• Class Project..................................................................	25%

Course outline for MUSC 2448 (subject to change):

Week 1		Introduction, syllabus/curriculum. Selected history of producers:(Sam Phillips, Chet Atkins, Jerry Wexler, Sir George Martin, Quincy Jones, Tony Visconti) Read Ch. 1, 2, and 3 in The Art of Music Production(TAMP).
Week 2		What is a producer?, Who makes a good producer? his/her role, duties, and responsibilities. Selected review of Recent producers. Rd. Ch. 10 (TAMP). *Guest speaker
Week 3		Discuss Budgets, Pre-production. ANALYZE recordings. Scout band. Find a “HIT”. “HIT” Powerpoint presentation.
Week 4		Start pre-production of band. Arranging, Technical planning, Communication Skills. Discuss different recording options (w/ compression/EQ, Mic selection/placement, etc..). How the pro’s do it, how you do it. Suggested reading pgs. 142-154.
Week 5		Discuss Bands strengths and weaknesses. Pick song(s). *Live pre-production recordings DUE. How to work with singers and different musicians. England vs. America and committing to tape.
Week 6		Session planning. Discuss Market for band. Meet with band. Label expectations/points, etc.
Week 7		VIDEO (Grammy round table) and EXAM #1 Review; Discuss Research paper on future/new technologies.
Week 8		EXAM #1 Rd. p. 101-102 BTG
Week 9		Record BAND. Go over Exam. Pro’s and con’s of rough mixes. Dealing with Demos.
Week 10		Record BAND. *Rough Mixes DUE. Discuss and Review. Talk about Mixing techniques, how the pro’s do it, how you do it.
Week 11		MIX BAND. Discussion of Behind the Glass.
Week 12		MIX BAND. Pick “SINGLE”. *FINAL MIXES DUE. Visit YES Mastering WEEK.
Week 13		New technologies *Paper due. Rd. Ch. 13 TAMP “Technology Rules”. The HOME STUDIO.
Week 14		The Future, discuss new recording technologies.
Week 15		Visit STUDIOS. Top Hat Recording (align analog tape machine), Cedar Creek.
Week 16		Visit STUDIOS. The Bubble, Music Lane, Congress House, The HIT Shack.

POLICIES:

•	Makeup exams may be given if arrangements are made prior to the exam date.
•	Students will not receive full credit for assignments turned in late.
•	Failure to attend class regularly may result in a lower grade.
•	If you do not attend class the entire semester you will receive a failing grade.
•	Withdrawal from this class is the responsibility of the student.
•	An incomplete may be given to a student under special circumstances. If you feel this is necessary you must discuss the issue with the instructor no less than three weeks prior to the end of the semester.
•	Scholastic Dishonesty: (From Student Handbook 2002-2003, p. 32) ; "Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work, Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group: classroom presentations and homework."
•	Office of Students with Disabilities: (From Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14) ; "Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical of psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester."
•	Student Discipline: Students are expected to behave as responsible adults and be courteous to their instructor and classmates at all times. Any student not demonstrating these qualities will be asked to leave the classroom. Repeated unacceptable behavior will result in a student being asked to leave the class permanently.
•	Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the student and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is the college's hope that these differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grade will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or assignments. Rather, we will respect the views of other when expressed in classroom discussions.