COMS 246-01: Basic Audio Production Dr. Joe FlickingerRegular Course Office: 704 Fairfax, A105Credit Hours: 3 Office Hours: M-W-F 9:00-9:50 AMLocation: Young Hall 321 T-R 1:00-1:50 PMTime: 8:00-8:50 AM M-W-F Other Office Hours by Appointment OnlySpring Semester 2013 Phone: 831-6039

E-mail: jflickin@radford.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prerequisites: COMS 146Corequisites: COMS 247  or permission of instructorInstruction in the basic theories of audio production, including studio and remote recording. Training in use of production equipment for radio, television and film.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To obtain an understanding of and be able to use the basic vocabulary of audio production.

2. To acquire a basic working understanding of audio production equipment.3. To be able to design a variety of effective audio productions.4. To be able to demonstrate proficiency of the skills basic to audio production,

including recording, mixing and interconnecting various pieces of equipment.5. To gain an understanding of how the skills of audio production relate to other

forms of media productions.

TEXTBOOK:

David E. Reese, Lynne S. Gross, Brian Gross, Audio Production Worktext, 6th ed., Focal Press, Boston, 2009. Textbook is available in the bookstore. Students are expected to have read the text when assigned and answer questions based on reading assignments and vocabulary found in the book.

REQUIRED LAB MATERIALS:

One set of stereo headphones with miniplug to ¼-inch adapter Two new CD-R (not CD-RW) writeable disks (minimum) One SD memory card for the Marantz digital recorder Small envelope(s) in which to put SD card and track information paper for projects.

CONTRACT:

This syllabus is a “contract” between you (the student) and Dr. Flickinger (the professor). Therefore, read it carefully. The assignments and all other course material (on D2L, paper, or email) that you receive from Dr. Flickinger relating to this course are codicils to this contract. This means they are considered appendices or additions to this contract. You will be asked to accept this contract at the start of the semester. Accepting this contract (“Course Contract” under quizzes in D2L) confirms that you have read, understand, and agree to this contract. Therefore, please read all written material carefully and make sure you understand what is written. If you have questions, always ask Dr. Flickinger immediately. Your final course grade, and therefore your success in this course, will depend on your understanding of this contract.

COMS 246 is taught, in part, with the course management system D2L. Full participation using the D2L system is required of all students enrolled in COMS 246.

You are responsible for correct and efficient use of the D2L technology and system. You, as a student in this course, have the responsibility for being able to submit assignments, use email, meet deadlines, etc. on the D2L system. This also means you are responsible for using a reliable computer, ISP, and browser. You are also responsible for using a computer system that is appropriate for the technical demands of D2L. Such excuses as “my computer crashed”, or “I lost my wireless connection”, or “I didn’t understand the deadline”, or “I forgot to save my project information”, etc; are not valid excuses. You are responsible for use of D2L in this course, and you will not receive credit for any of your work that is not correctly submitted. Here is some very good professional advice: every time you log onto D2L, take about 5 seconds and click on “Check Browser” in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. It will instantly tell you if your browser and Java™ Runtime are installed and working properly. You must also turn off popup blockers. You will not be able to login or use D2L if you don’t pay attention to such important maintenance items. Remember, you are responsible for correct and efficient use of the D2L technology and system.

MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT:

Appropriate Use of TechnologyIn order to facilitate learning and enhance the classroom experience of each student, The School of Communication asks that you please adhere to the following behavioral guidelines. 

● Please refrain from any and all texting during class. Even "discreet" texting is a disruption to learning and extremely rude to those around you. Consistent, pervasive disruptions of the learning environment could be considered an honor code violation and charged as such.

● Use all technological devices wisely and with respect. If you’d like to bring a laptop or iPhone (or other technological device) to class, please be sure to use said device for classroom purposes. Be mindful of those around you – the clattering away on laptop keys can seriously distract other students. The School of Communication is not anti-technology, just anti-rudeness!

Absenteeism and Outside Commitments:In the media world you must be dependable. With many people vying for a few jobs, anyone exhibiting chronic absenteeism will be fired without hesitation. The following attendance policy is based on similar real-life policies found in the workplace in which promotions, bonuses, and future job recommendations are based on dependability as well as skills. While you do not get “paid” in the normal sense for carrying out your assignments, you should think of your grade as a managerial evaluation of your performance. Therefore, the grade is based not only on your skills, but also on your dependability and willingness to work to accomplish the goals of this course. As a result, you should exhibit the same sense of professionalism in this class as you would working for a media corporation. This policy is meant to implement this workplace philosophy by placing the responsibility for achieving success in your hands. Outside job commitments are not considered valid excuses for missing class. This course requires all of your attention to successfully pass it. If you think your job will conflict with your ability to pass this course, then you must either drop this course or make arrangements at work. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences.

IMPORTANT→If you are more than 5 minutes late for class by the clock in the TV studio or classroom, you will be counted as absent for that day.

You may have a total of four (4) absences without penalty. I do not count “Drop/Add” week. One grade will be deducted from your FINAL COURSE GRADE for each additional absence. Therefore, the HIGHEST POSSIBLE grade a student can earn in this class who has missed:

0 to 4 classes............A5................................B6................................C7................................D8 or more...................F

UNIVERSITY-WIDE EMERGENCY INFORMATION

In the event of a University-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, deadlines and grading policies and procedures are subject to change. Potential changes that could occur include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, accessing class materials and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading schedule.  For specific information about an emergency situation, please refer to Web Site: www.radford.edu

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall. Phone is 831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me at the beginning of the semester.

WRITING/READING HELP

The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC), located in 126 Walker Hall, is open to all students Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Certified, trained tutors provide help with basic study skills, writing, reading, and content-specific material. An appointment is necessary and can be made by stopping by Walker 126, calling 831-7704, or IM-ing “rularcappt”.

HONOR CODE

Students’ adherence to the University Honor Code is presumed in this course. The University Honor Code reads as follows:

By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.

COPYRIGHTS AND PLAGIARISM:

The recording of sound is an art; therefore, the presentation of sound recorded by someone other than you will be considered plagiarism. Each project must be your own

work. Fair use of pre-recorded material (sound effects and music) is allowable for research and teaching on a one-time, non-commercial basis under the 1976 Copyright Act as long as proper attribution is made. If you plan on using the material over again or plan to broadcast it, you must first have written authorization from the copyright holder. If you have further questions regarding this topic, please see me.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

If snow or icing conductions exist, the university will make a decision on canceling morning classes by 6am. Check the RU website, e-mail and D2L/WebCT for notification. For more details on the college’s inclement weather policy, go to www.radford.edu/weatherpolicy.html

ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY:

If you need to obtain a certain grade in this class or if you are having difficulty with the labs or workbook assignments, it is your responsibility to discuss this with me as soon as practicable. This way we can work together during the remainder of the semester. Remember, you are probably not the only person who may be having problems with some of the terminology or theoretical concepts discussed in class, and you are certainly not the only person who may be having trouble working with D2L or the equipment in the lab. Please do not hesitate to contact me for help. The only foolish question is one that is not asked.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Lab Schedules and RulesYou are limited to two extra hours per week (subject to change). You may have no more than two total hours per day. If you sign up for so many hours per week that other students are having a difficult time finding any time to produce their projects, I reserve the right to cancel some of your sign-up time. I will notify you when I do this.

I strongly recommend that you spend as much time as possible in the lab in order to familiarize yourself with the equipment before you actually begin work on your projects. If the door to the audio production room is locked, please get one of the School of Communication’s work-study students to open the door for you. You must leave your student ID with the work-study students while using the lab. You may pick it up when you are finished. When it is time for the lab to close, if you refuse to leave when asked, campus security will be called and judicial charges may be filed. If you are more than 10-minutes late for your assigned lab time, you may lose it. If you are signed up for lab time, and you will not be using it, please let the Lab Coordinator or work-study students know, so they may cross off your name for that day and time and open the lab for someone else.

Notes: (1) The entire class is held responsible for the condition of the lab. Periodic checks will be made of the lab. Any time that it is found unclean, everyone's project(s) will be deemed unacceptable for that week. This action will directly affect final project grades.

(2) Eating or drinking in the labs is not permitted (this includes candy and gum). If you are discovered with food or drink in the lab, your project will automatically be rejected and no redoes of the project will be allowed. If you bring any type of food or drink (food items include gum and candy) into the lab and refuse to leave when asked by faculty, staff or work-study student, security will be called, and it will be considered a J-Board offense. This action will directly affect final project grades.

(3) No one is allowed in the lab with you unless the professor has expressly given you permission. The first time someone else is in the lab with you without the professor’s consent, your project will be rejected, and you will not be allowed to redo it for credit. The second time someone else

is in the lab with you, your project will be rejected, you will not be allowed to redo it for credit, and you will lose all lab privileges for three weeks. The third time someone else is in the lab with you without the professor’s consent, your project will be rejected, you will not be allowed to redo it for credit, and you will lose all lab privileges for the remainder of the semester. If the professor does allow someone else in the lab with you during production, he will sign a permission slip with your name and your guest’s name on the slip. The guest will also have to turn over his or her student ID to the School of Communication work-study student along with the permission slip. The guest is required to follow all rules concerning conduct in the lab, especially those rules pertaining to food or drinks. Food items include gum and candy.

(4) The equipment, facilities, and supplies of WVRU are not to be used without express permission of WVRU’s program director. Disregarding this policy will be considered a violation of the Honor Code.

Project PoliciesProjects assigned for a given week are due no later than 5:00 P.M. on Friday of that week (unless otherwise noted in this syllabus). Note the project “due date.” Don't wait until the last minute to start your projects. It can be frustrating! Remember, you may turn in a project earlier. If you put off working on a project, you may not have enough lab time to complete the project or redo it for credit.

All SD cards and track information must be placed in an envelope with your name on it. Also, make sure your SD card has your name on it in case it gets separated from your envelope. When you have completed a project, you must put the project in your envelope and place the envelope in the “COMS 246/346 IN BOX” found in the Equipment Checkout room across from the audio labs. Make sure you have the correct box by checking the label on the front of the box. The “IN” box has a padlock on the front of it and is made of wood. In addition, you MUST send me a Word.doc (or Word.docx) copy of the script you used in the “Projects” section of D2L under the proper project and submission number.

After a project has been evaluated, I will put the envelope containing the project into the “COMS 246 OUT BOX” (on the couch in the hallway outside of the audio production labs) for you to pick up. You will find my comments along with an acceptance (P) or rejection (0) under the assignment project number (either First or Second Submission) of D2L. If a project has not been accepted, my comments as to what you will need to fix for a second submission will be found under that assignment in D2L.

If your project is accepted the first time you submit it, you are finished with that particular project and may move on to the next project. However, if you must fix something, you have a second chance to submit it. If I accept your second submission, you will receive a “P” for the project and will not be penalized. You MUST also resubmit your script to me under the second submission for that project in D2L. Again, don’t wait until the last minute. Your clock may say “4:58” when you try to submit it, but if the university clock system says it is 5:01 PM, you will not be able to submit your script and you will not receive credit for it!

GRADING:Your final grade is based on: (1) the number of projects that you successfully complete by the end of the term (see “Project Grades” section for details), (2) tests, (3) “pop” quizzes, and (4) your attendance (or lack thereof—see attendance policy above).

Project Grades:

► VERY IMPORTANT: You MUST submit a COMPLETE PROJECT by the FIRST SUBMISSION DATE and TIME and the SCRIPT REQUIRED FOR EACH PROJECT in the correct D2L dropbox or your FINAL COURSE GRADE WILL BE DROPPED ONE FULL GRADE. You still have an opportunity to fix your project by the second submission date and receive project credit for it if it is approved. However, if you do not submit a complete project by the first submission date, not only will your final course grade be reduced, but your submission will be considered the second submission and, if it is not approved, your final project grade will also be affected!

There is no partial credit for a project and no extra credit projects or assignments.

To receive a project grade of “A”: You must complete all of the projects listed on time. Nine of these projects must be approved the first or second time they are submitted. Any project that must be redone for approval must be submitted by the revision date and time listed in this syllabus.

To receive a project grade of “B”: You must complete all of the projects listed on time, and 8 projects must be approved the first or second time they are submitted. Any project that must be redone for approval must be submitted by the revision date and time listed in this syllabus.

To receive project grade of “C”: You must complete all of the projects listed on time, and 7 projects must be approved the first or second time they are submitted. Any project that must be redone for approval must be submitted by the revision date and time listed in this syllabus.

To receive a project grade of “D”: You must complete all of projects listed on time, and 6 projects must be approved by first or second time they are submitted. Any project that is redone for approval must be resubmitted by the revision date and time listed in this syllabus.

Your final project grade accounts for 40% of your total Final Course grade.

TestsYour working knowledge of the technical and theoretical aspects of sound design normally will be evaluated at the end of each chapter. Students are responsible for all material covered in the text as well as information covered in lectures and video presentations. DVDs used in the class can be found in the University library and may be checked out by students for review. Understanding the vocabulary terms used in each chapter as well as practical applications of the theories of sound discussed in the text are important for anyone planning a career in the media, whether you plan to be in front of the microphone and camera as talent or behind the scenes. Your tests account for 30% of your total Final Course grade.

Final Exam:The Final Exam is a comprehensive exam based on questions found in previously given tests. SAVE YOUR TESTS and use them to study for the Final Exam. The Final Exam accounts for 20% of your total Final Course grade.

Quizzes“Pop” quizzes over material covered in the previous class period or assigned reading material or videos will be given at the end of the class period on a random basis. These

quizzes account for 10% of your total Final Course grade. If you miss a quiz for any reason, there is no “make up.” You will get no points for the quizzes you miss—just move on to the next quiz.

Summary of Grading Project Grade.........................40%Tests.......................................30%Final Exam..............................20%Quizzes...................................10%(Final course grade is affected by number of absences!)

SPECIFIC PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:

Date Proj. Number Project

1/28 (MON) (1) Course Contract Acceptance: Make sure you understand everything in the syllabus, especially the grading policies and co-requisite requirements. If you do, then go to the Course Contract in the Quiz section of D2L and “accept” the contract online. Failure to accept this by the cutoff date means that I will no longer grade projects or tests and you MUST withdraw from this course and COMS 247 or you will fail both courses. This counts as a project for your grade.

1/28 (MON.) (2) First Submission of D2L Email Test: This project is a test to see

if you can send me an email using the D2L email system. Open up your email in D2L and simply send me an email by putting “Email Test 1” in the subject line. Then, answer the question “When is the Course Contract Due?” in the body of the email. This counts as a project for your grade. If I receive it in my D2L email and you have all of the correct information (including the correct subject line). I will email you back saying that I have accepted this project. If you need to fix anything, you will need to resubmit the revised email by the second submission date and time using D2L email. There is NO dropbox for this email project!

1/28 (MON.) (3) First Submission of D2L Attachment Test: This project entails sending me a Microsoft Word.doc or Word.docx attachment under Attachment Test Submission 1. This time you will type the following information (name, date and time you are trying to submit this document) as a Word document and save to your computer as <Yourlastname> attachment test.doc. Then, go to “Attachment Test Submission 1” under ‘Projects,” attach this file and submit it to me before the cutoff date and time. This counts as a project for your grade.

2/1 Second Submission of D2L Email Test must be submitted on D2L no later than 5:00 PM, Friday. if it was NOT approved for the first submission. If either the first or second submission of your project is approved, you will receive full credit for it. Follow the instructions under Submission 1 for this project, EXCEPT use EMAIL Test 2 in the subject line of the email.

2/1 Second submission of Attachment Test must be submitted on D2L no later than 5:00 PM, Friday. If either the first or second submission of your project is approved, you will receive full credit for it. Submit this under Attachment Test Submission 2 under “Projects.”

2/8 (4) First Submission of Voice Over Music: Using the Marantz digital recorder in the Audio Production room, record the standard calibration tone at -12 dBFs for 10 seconds, pause for a couple of beats but leave the machine recording (do not pause or stop it). Then, record your slate: Your Name, Project Number (Project 4 in this case), Date, Take Number, and Countdown (“This project will begin in Five, Four, Three, Two, One …”). Pause for a beat then record the script you have written in COMS 247. Stop the recorder. Play back your project to make sure all levels are correct. When you are satisfied with the take, put a note in your envelope indicating which track on your SD card is your “best” take. Make sure your name is on your SD card and put it in your project envelope as well. Put the envelope in the “COMS 246 IN BOX.” If you do not indicate which track I should listen to, I will not try to second guess which take is your good take, and I will not evaluate the project. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment in the “Voice Over Music Submission 1” project under “Projects” in D2L! Do NOT send it to me in email! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

2/15 (5) First Submission of your COMS 247 30-second Public Service Announcement raw material onto your SD card using the Marantz digital recorder in the audio lab: Record a -12 dBFs calibration tone, slate (your name, project number, date, take and countdown) on the tape. Then record all PSA program material onto your SD card. Record all of the dialog followed by any sound effects and, finally, more music than you think you will need. Make sure all of these components (dialog, sfx and music) are recorded at the same, optimum level (no fade ins or outs). Write the track number you want me to listen to on a piece of paper and place your SD card with the project on it along with the paper in an envelope with your name on it. Then, put your envelope in the WHITE “IN” BOX (the box with the padlock on it) in the COMS Equipment Checkout room. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “PSA Raw Material Submission 1” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

I will evaluate your project and then turn over your SD card and track number information to Mr. Staniunas so that he may evaluate your project for COMS 247

2/15 Second submission of “Voice Over Music” on your SD card is due. Make sure you indicate the new track number of your re-done project on a piece of paper and place it along with your SD card in an envelope and put it in the “IN” box in the Equipment Checkout room. Don’t forget to re-submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Voice Over Music Submission 2” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

2/22 Second submission of raw PSA material (Project 5) due. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “PSA Raw Material Submission2” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

3/1 (6) First submission of edited 30-second PSA on the Short/Cut editing system using the raw, recorded material from Project 5 The calibration tone, slate and countdown must be on both channels. The dialog and sound effect(s) must be on the LEFT track and the music must be on the RIGHT track. The finished PSA must be exactly 30 seconds long . This total run time is for the PSA program only, including any music and sound effects. The calibration tone, slate and countdown are NOT part of the total program run time. To receive credit for this project, your PSA must be saved in the proper directory on the Short/Cut (Students A-H, Students I-P, or Students Q-Z, based on the first letter of your last name). You must save it using your last name with a “1” after your name to indicate the first submission as the file name. Once you have finished editing your project on the Short/Cut, play it back and record it at the proper level on your SD card. Note the track number of the project on your SD card and submit the card with the track information in an envelope and put it in the envelope provide by Mr. Staninuas. Mr. Staniunas will evaluate the project for COMS 247 on your SD card. I will evaluate your project on the Short/Cut Editor for COMS 246. Both Mr. Staniunas and I must approve this project before it will be accepted. Don’t forget to submit your COMS PSA script as a Word document attachment to me under “Edited PSA Submission 1” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

3/8 Second submission of edited PSA (Project 6) due. Save this submission with your last name followed by a “2.” Copy the re-edited project over to your SD card and submit the card and new track sheet in your envelope by placing it in the “IN” box in the Equipment Checkout room. Don’t forget to re-submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Edited PSA Submission 2” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

3/22 (7) First submission of raw material for your 60-Second “Promo” recorded on your SD card using the Marantz recorder: Note the track number(s) you want us to listen to. Then, put the list of track numbers and your SD card in an envelope and submit it in the white COMS 246 IN BOX. I will listen to it and then give it to Mr. Staniunas to evaluate. Make sure that you record a calibration tone and slate (your name, project number, take number and countdown—“This project begins in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1”) at the beginning of each take. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Promo Raw Material Submission 1” in D2L. Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

3/29 Second Submission of “Promo Raw Material” (Project 7) on SD card due. Don’t forget to re-submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Promo Raw Material Submission 2” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

4/1 (Mon.) Begin recording material for Project 10—Final COMS 246/247 project—today. Record raw material on your SD card (write down track numbers for later use).

4/5 (8) First submission of edited “Promo” Production: Record your SD card program material from Project 7 on the computer following the instructions in the audio labs.

In the “Session” view, the calibration tone, slate and countdown must be on track 1; the dialog must be on track 2; sound effects must be on track 3; and your music bed must be on track 4. The finished “Promo” must be exactly 60 seconds in length . This total run time is for the program only, including any music and sound effects. The calibration tone, slate and countdown are NOT part of the 60-second program. Save your copy on the computer as a Pro Tools session in the form of <yourlastname> promo 1 (for the first submission) in your PROMO file folder located in the <My Music> folder. If it is not saved in this folder, I will not be check it, and, of course, it will not be accepted.

Once you have edited your promo, play it back through the audio console and copy it to your SD card and put it along with your track sheet in the envelope provided to you by Mr. Staniunas. I will listen to your project on the computer, and Mr. Staniunas will listen to it on your SD card. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Edited Promo Submission 1” in D2L. Failure to submit it in the correct submission dropbox will mean that I will NOT grade it.

4/12 Second submission of “Edited Promo” (Project 8) due. Save your copy on the computer as a session in the form of <yourlastname > promo 2 (for the second submission) in your Promo folder. Don’t forget to re-submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Edited Promo

Submission 2” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

4/12 (9) First submission of Raw Material for Final Project on SD Card: Use the same instructions you used for doing your Promo project. Submit your SD card along with your track sheet in an envelope, and place the envelope in the white “IN” box in the Equipment Checkout room. Don’t forget to submit your COMS 247 script as a Word document attachment under “Final Project Raw Material Submission 1” in D2L.

4/19 Second submission of recorded Raw Material (Project 9) due. Don’t forget to re-submit your COMS 247 script as a Word attachment saved as “<yourlastname> Final Raw Material 2” for the second submission under “Final Project Raw Material Submission 2” in D2L. Resubmit your sound card along with a track sheet in the white “IN” box inside the Equipment Checkout room. Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

4/26 (10) First submission of edited Final Project: Take the raw material you have previously recorded and edit it on the computer using the instructions for the Promo project found in the Audio Production rooms. It should be between 3-to-5 minutes in length. Specific details for this project will be discussed in the COMS 246 and 247 classes. Take notes regarding the specific requirements! Save your edited project as <yourlastname> Final Project 1 (first submission) in your “Final Project” folder on the computer. You will need to record your project from the computer through the audio console to your SD card for this project. Put your name on your track sheet and submit it along with your SD card in the envelope provided by Mr. Staniunas. I will listen to the project edited on the computer. Don’t forget to submit your script as a Word document attachment under “Edited Final Project Submission 1” in D2L! Failure to submit it in the correct submission drop box will mean that I will NOT grade it.

5/3 Second submission of Final Project (Project 10) due. Save as <yourlastname> Final Project 2 in your “Final Project” folder on the computer. Put your SD card along with your track sheet in the envelope provided by Mr. Staniunas and place it in the “IN” box in the Equipment Checkout room. Don’t forget to re-submit your script as a Word document attachment under “Edited Final Project Submission 2” in D2L!

READING ASSIGNMENTS BY TOPICS:

Week 1 (January 22-25)Jan. 23: Chapter 2 The Studio EnvironmentJan. 25: Chapter 2 The Studio Environment

Week 2 (January 28-February 1)Jan. 28: Chapter 2..................The Studio Environment

Jan. 30: DEMO: Introduction to the Audio Production Lab (Porterfield 182)Feb. 1: DEMO: Introduction to the Audio Production Lab (Porterfield 182)

Week 3 (February 4-8)Feb. 4: DEMO: Introduction to the Audio Production Lab (Porterfield 182)Feb. 6: Chapter 5.....................The Audio ConsoleFeb. 8: Chapter 5.....................The Audio Console

Week 4 (February 11-15)Feb.11: Chapter 5....................The Audio ConsoleFeb.13: Review over Chapters 2 and 5Feb.15: Test over Chapters 2 and 5

Week 5 (February 18-22)Feb. 18: DEMO: Recording and editing on Short/Cut digital editorFeb. 20: DEMO: Recording and editing on Short/Cut digital editorFeb. 22: DEMO: Recording and editing on Short/Cut digital editor

Week 6 (February 25-March 1)Feb. 25: Chapter 3...................Digital Audio ProductionFeb. 27: Chapter 3...................Digital Audio ProductionMarch 1: Chapter 3..................Digital Audio Production

Week 7 (March 4-8)March 4: Chapter 7.................Monitor Speakers and Studio AccessoriesMarch 6: Chapter 7.................Monitor Speakers and Studio AccessoriesMarch 8: Chapter 7.................Monitor Speakers and Studio Accessories

Week 8 (March 9-17) SPRING BREAK: NO EQUIP. CHECKOUT, LABS ARE CLOSED

Week 9 (March 18-22)March 18: Review chapters 3 and 7March 20: Test over chapters 3 and 7March 22: DEMO: ProTools Editor

Week 10 (March 25-29)March 25: DEMO: Pro Tools EditorMarch 27: DEMO: Pro Tools EditorMarch 29: DEMO: Pro Tools Editor

Week 11 (April 1-5)April 1: Chapter 4....................MicrophonesApril 3: Chapter 4....................MicrophonesApril 5: Chapter 4....................Microphones

Week 12 (April 8-12)April 8: Chapter 4....................MicrophonesApril 10: Chapter 4..................MicrophonesApril 12: Review Chapter 4

Week 13 (April 15-19)April 15: Test over Chapter 4April 17: Chapter 8...................Signal Processing EquipmentApril 19: Chapter 8...................Signal Processing Equipment

Week 14 (April 22-26)April 22: Chapter 8...................Signal Processing EquipmentApril 24: Chapter 8...................Signal Processing EquipmentApril 26: Chapter 8...................Signal Processing Equipment

Week 15 (April 29-May 3)April 29: Review chapter 8May 1: Test over chapter 8May 3: Review for comprehensive Final Exam

Week 16 (May 6-9)May 6: Comprehensive Final Exam in classroom at 8:00 am on Monday

COURSE CONTRACT:

STUDENT ACCEPTANCE OF SYLLABUS AND GRADING POLICY

 I have read the entire syllabus and understand the assignments and grading policy used in this course (COMS 246: Basic Audio Production) and accept these conditions. I further understand that the syllabus topics may change during the course of the term due to unforeseen circumstances, but that the graded assignments and grading policy are not subject to change without the mutual consent of the students and the professor.

 I understand the following course requirements:

 1.   I am required to check D2L email and calendar at least once per day so I know of any changes in due dates, course location, etc.

2.   I must be enrolled in both COMS 246 and COMS 247 in the same semester as these are co-requisite courses.

3.   If I receive an “F” in either COMS 246 or COMS 247, I will receive an “F” in both classes.

4.   If I withdraw from either COMS 246 or COMS 247, I must withdraw from the other course or I will receive an “F” in that course at the end of the semester.

5.   If I receive three warnings regarding late equipment returns I will not be able to use any School of Communication equipment or labs for the remainder of the semester. This may mean that I will fail COMS 246 and 247.

6.   If I have not returned all equipment by the end of the term I will fail COMS 246 and 247.

7.   I fully understand The School of Communication professional behavior guidelines, which are as follows:

I will refrain from any and all texting and cell phone use during class. Even "discreet" texting is a disruption to learning and extremely rude to those around me. Consistent, pervasive disruptions of the learning environment could be considered an honor code violation and be charged as such.

I will use all technological devices wisely and with respect. I understand that if I bring a laptop or iPhone (or other technological device) to class, it is only to be used for classroom purposes.

I have also read and subscribe to the University's Honor Code as published in the Radford University catalog and the Student Handbook.

You must accept this contract in D2L by the due date indicated in the syllabus to remain in this class. No projects, tests or quizzes will be graded until you accept this contract. Any projects, tests or quizzes given before you agree to this contract WILL NOT be graded.