K404/504 - Electronic Studio Resources II - Course Information

Prof. Jeffrey Hass (hassj @ indiana.edu ) | Prof. Christopher Cook (cecook @ indiana.edu ) | (remove blanks to copy and paste emails)

• Studio Phone #'s
  MAC 302: 855-6401, MAC 304: 855-3820
  
• Required Text
  none
  
• Reserve Reading
  Ballora, Mark. Essentials of Music Technology (2003)
  Chadabe, Joel. Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music
  De Furia, et. al. The MIDI Resource Book
  Dodge, Charles. Computer Music (2nd ed.)
  Huber/Runstein. Modern Recording Techniques
  Pellman, Samuel. An Introduction to the Creation of Electroacoustic Music (1994)
  Roads, Curtis. The Computer Music Tutorial
  Schrader, Barry. Introduction to Electro-Acoustic Music
  Strange, Allen. Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls (2nd ed.)
  
• Suggested Reading
  Russcol. The Liberation of Sound
  Schwartz, Elliot. A Listener's Guide to Electronic Music
  Computer Music Journal
  Electronic Musician
  Keyboard Magazine
  EQ Magazine

  A full list of the CECM Permanent Reserves with many interesting books can be found at: http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/reserves/k50369mlo.html

  You can also search IUCat for "Electronic Music" or "Computer Music" as subjects for a list of IU holdings.

• You will want to buy several types of media for your course work:
  • At least 2 CDR discs
  • A USB2 Flash (thumb) drive for additional backup and portablity of data (1 or 2 gig if you can afford it)
  • Wait on other items until instructed
    
    
• There will be a series of weekly assignments to be completed during assigned times in MAC 304. The assignments are available online. (See the syllabus.) Completion of assignments by due date is an important part of your grade. If you are having difficulty completing your assignment on time, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor for help. Consistent work on the final project when assigned is also very important and contributes to your grade.
  
  
• Grade weights

  Midterm Exam	30%
  Reading preparation, in-class content quiz(zes) and class participation	10%
  Final Project	30%
  Tutorial assignments (quality and timeliness)	30%

• Attendance Policy
  
  Because a large part of the information in this class can only come from hands-on experience and in-class observation, more than two unexcused absences (class or tutorial) or being consistently late will result in a substantially lower grade. Please contact me regarding excused absences in advance, or bring a note from the Student Health Center or non-relative doctor if it was a medical emergency. Also, see the list of religious holidays. Incompletes will only be granted only as per University policy
  
  
• Back up your work!

  Don't trust our hard drives! We've had failures in the past, and it's easy for someone to delete your work by mistake. In addition to Flash Drive and CDR backup, you will have access to the CECM file server. In addition to our local drive, you will have an account on cecm.music.indiana.edu which you can access from anywhere on campus. Have at least three copies of your work at all times and save in versions (i.e. don't back up to the same file name for things like sequences or Pro Tools sessions--using a new version number for each session is the safest).

  Having received this warning, catastrophic loss of materials for assignments or final project is not an acceptable excuse. Again, back up everything redundantly and use new version numbers for each back-up!

• Access to help

  For technical questions, questions about assignments, or to set up individual help, email both Jeffrey Hass and Christopher Cook (addresses at top of page). We both check our email several times a day. We try to provide as much individual help as possible, since we understand this is a difficult subject to master. We ask, however, that you double-check manuals and the readings before contacting us, since either may provide answers to your problem. Don't get into deep trouble before asking for help!

• Projects Courses

  Due to space limitations, studio time after the K403/503-K404/504 sequence cannot be guaranteed to anyone but Composition Majors. After composition majors, preference is given first to composition minors, followed by others in the School of Music, then those outside the School of Music by class seniority.

• Enjoy the studio!

  This is a subject that, while it has its frustrating moments, should be enjoyable, rewarding and fun. It does require a great deal of patience and persistence along the way. Please keep in mind the fact that you are ultimately here to make music, with a little preliminary work to get started. Also keep in mind that we all (even your profs.) occasionally make dumb mistakes in the studio, regardless of prior experience.

• Studio Responsibilities
  
  You will be provided with a separate sheet regarding your studio use responsibilities. We above all else ask that you respect the equipment, report all broken equipment or software immediately and use your best judgement in protecting the security of the studio. Guests are not permitted without prior approval and then only for class assignment purposes. In particular, doing work for others using studio equipment (recording, editing recitals, burning CDs, etc.) is strictly forbotten!