K403/503 - Electronic Studio Resources I - Syllabus

Prof. Jeffrey Hass (hassj @ indiana.edu )
Prof. John Gibson (johgibso @ indiana.edu )
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  • This syllabus includes lecture topics, tutorial assignments, reading assignments, and exam dates.
  • Click on a tutorial assignment link to get a description of the assignment.
  • Reading assignments are listed together with the relevant lectures. It is highly recommended that readings be done in advance of the lectures to facilitate maximum comprehension. Short, several-question content quizzes pertaining to the week's readings will be administered at the beginning of most Tuesday classes.
  • The dates given in the Dates column are for the Tuesday lecture.
  • See also Course Information for textbook info, reading info, required materials, policies and more.
Dates Lecture Reading Tutorial
Week 1
(8/28)		 Course overview; administrivia. Introduction to the modern computer music studio    
Week 2
(9/4)		 Basic Acoustical Principles I
(discussion of acoustics will be spread out over 3 weeks in addition to the other topics listed)
 Microphones and Recording Techniques
Recording to Peak		 Basic Acoustic Principles 1-5
Cables and Connectors
Microphones
Week 2 Study Guide (.pdf)
Additional reading (not required-not for the easily intimidated)
 Huber/Runstein: Ch. 1-6 (skim)		 First tutorial meeting (Wed. or Thurs): Introduction to the MAC304 studio

Assignment 1
Due week 4, with Assignment 2
Week 3
(9/11)		 Acoustics II
Audio Signal Flow: Mixing Consoles, Patchbays, Signal Processing (Effects)		 Basic Acoustic Principles 6-12
Mixing Console Basics
Mixing Console Troubleshooting
Digital Effects Primer
Week 3 Study Guide (.pdf) 		Assignment 2
Due week 4, with Assignment 1
Week 4
(9/18)		 Acoustics III
Introduction to MIDI Sequencing
Digital Performer		 Basic Acoustic Principles 13-17
DP Web Pages 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
DP5 manual pp. 7-12, Ch. 2-5, 14, 16, 17 (MIDI only)--copies also on Library reserve
Week 4 Study Guide (.pdf)
DUE: Assignments 1 and 2
Assignment 3
Week 5
(9/25)		 The MIDI System
DP MIDI Editing		 MIDI web pages
Week 5 Study Guide (.pdf)
DP Web Pages 6 | 7
DP5 manual Ch. 24 (MIDI only), 25-27--copies also on Library reserve 		DUE: Assignment 3
Assignment 4
Week 6
(10/2)		 Using MIDI Controllers
DP Digital Audio I
Mixing Console		 Ballora: Ch. 8
DP Web Page 8
DP5 manual Ch. 6, 17 (Audio only), 30, 37--copies also on Library reserve 		DUE: Assignment 4
Assignment 5
Week 7
(10/9)		 DP Digital Audio II
Intro to Digital Signal Processing
Final Mixdown (Bounce to Disk)

DP Web Pages 8 | 9
DP5 manual Ch. 61, 67, 69, 74--copies also on Library reserve

DUE: Assignment 5
Assignment 6
Week 8
(10/16)		 MIDTERM EXAM    
Week 9
(10/23)		 Digital Audio Theory Digital Audio Primer
Week 9 Study Guide (.pdf)
Ballora: Ch. 9, review Ch. 5
Suggested: Dodge: Ch. 3
 DUE: Assignment 6
Assignment 7
Final Project description [PDF]
Week 10
(10/30)

Intro to Digital Samplers I
Using Virtual Instruments
Sample Preparation Tips
Mapping Samples to Keyboard

Mach V Manual Ch.3, 4, 5 (MAS only), pp. 45-68
DP Virtual Instruments
MachFive QuickStart
DP nanosampler

 DUE: Assignment 7
Week 11
(11/6)		 Intro to Digital Samplers II
Adding simple controls;
Digital Effects (EQ, Reverb, Delay, Dynamics, etc.)		 Mach V Manual pp. 69-91 [work on Final Project]
Week 12
(11/13)		 Introduction to Synthesis I;
the voltage-control sythesis model
Waveforms, spectra, oscillators, filters
Using Absynth for software synthesis		 Analog Synthesis Facts
Analog Synthesis Patches
Analog Sythesis Terms
Absynth 4 pdf manual
(available on CECM Server->Shared->Manuals and Demos->Absynth 4)		 Assignment 8
[work on Final Project]
Week 13
(11/20)		 Introduction to Synthesis II
Amplfiers, Filters, Envelopes		 Analog Filter Basics
Absynth 4 pdf manual
(available on CECM Server->Shared->Manuals and Demos->Absynth 4)
Thanksgiving Break
(Wed.-Sun., 11/22-11/26)
Week 14
(11/27)		 Introduction to Synthesis III: Sub-audio rate modulation, more complex patches and control schemes   DUE: Assignment 8
[work on Final Project]
Week 15
(12/4)		 PERFORMANCE OF FINAL PROJECTS   Final exam review
TBA FINAL EXAM