RTVF3650.001Advanced Audio Procedures
University of North Texas
Fall 2013
Tuesdays 1 – 3:50pm RTFP180H
Instructor:Brenda JaskulskeRTFP229
Office Hours:Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-12noon; Wednesdays 9-12noon
and by appointment
Phone:940.565.2537 (dept.)
Mail:1155 Union Circle #310589
RTFP Bldg. Rm. 262 Denton, TX 76203
Email:
Textbook:Alten, Stanley R.Audio in Media(Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2014).
Course Description
This course is designed to provide you with more advanced trainingin the art and technique of audio production for radio and other media.
This course covers techniques of multi-track audio recording, mixing, and recording sound in the studio and in the field.
Course Objective
Upon completion of this course, you should know how to effectively produce and edit audio using multi-track recorders, and record/mix sound for film/video in the field and in the studio.
Course Prerequisites
Completion of RTVF 3210 with a “C” or above. Please note- if you do not meet the prerequisite, you will not be permitted to remain in the course.
Course Content
Reading assignments. You will be expected to read the assigned material prior to coming to class.
Tests. There will be a total of two exams. Should you arrive late to an exam, you will be permitted to take it only if no one has turned in a completed test. If you miss the exam, you must contact the instructor via email within 24 hours of the missed exam to schedule a make-up test. Make-up tests for exam 1 must be taken within 7 days after your return to school. Make-up tests will not be given without a bona fide doctor’s excuse. Scantrons are required for tests.
Projects. You will complete a total of four audio projects during the semester. Projects include field recording,music mixing, anaudio drama and a film audio mix. All written work must be typed unless otherwise noted by your professor. Projects are due on the designated hard drive at the beginning of class unless otherwise directed by your professor. Any project submitted late will receive a half credit if submitted by the next class meeting. If a project has not been submitted by the next class meeting, the grade for the project will be zero. There are no exceptions.
The final project must be submitted on time. Late final projects will not be accepted.
If you receive less than a passing grade on any of the first three projects (lower than a 70), you may make changes and resubmit them for further evaluation. If you choose to take this option, you have one week from the time you received back your project to resubmit the corrected project. The highest grade that can be awarded for a resubmitted project will be a 70.
Projects not meeting rigorous production format standards including, but not limited to proper audio levels and length requirements will be returned to you without a grade.
Field Trips. Our class will visit several professional audio production facilities for an opportunity to observe and interact with audio professionals. This is an invaluable learning and networking experience and attendance is optional, but highly recommended.
Hearing Test. All UNT students qualify for free hearing tests from the Speech and Hearing Clinic. You are required to get a hearing test from the clinic and bring proof of the test to class. This will provide a baseline for future hearing exams as you continue your media production career.
Attendance
Homework assignments will be made in class. If you cannot attend class, contact the instructor for your assignments. During class, you will see and hear materials that you will not get from your book. Because your input in class discussions is important, it is essential to attend each class meeting and to be on time. You must attend the full class period to be considered “present”. You will be rewarded for perfect attendance and penalized for poor attendance.
0 Absences3 points added to final grade
1 Absence0 points added to final grade
2 Absences1 point deducted from final grade
3 Absences2 points deducted from final grade
4 Absences3 points deducted from final grade
And so on…
Grading
Your final letter grade in this course will be based upon the following formula:
Project I10%
Project II10%
Project III20%
Project IV20%
Exams (2@ 20%each)40%
A= 100-90B= 89-80C=79-70D=69-65F= anything 64 or below
Record your scores
Exam 1 ______Exam 2 ______
Project I ______Project II ______Project III ______Project IV ______
Academic Dishonesty
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive an “F” for the course. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Dean of Students, who may impose further penalty. According to the UNT catalog, the term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
Acceptable Student Behavior
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Dean of Students to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips,etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at
Access to Information – EAGLE CONNECT
Through the use of email, UNT is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email. Check your email frequently.
Your access point for business and academic services at UNT occurs within the my.unt.edu site All official communication from the university will be delivered to your Eagle Connect account. For more information, please visit the website that explains Eagle Connect and how to forward your email:
ADA Statement
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Emergency Notification & Procedures
UNT uses a system called Eagle Alert to quickly notify you with critical information in the event of an emergency (i.e., severe weather, campus closing, and health and public safety emergencies like chemical spills, fires, or violence). The system sends voice messages (and text messages upon permission) to the phones of all active faculty staff, and students. Please make certain to update your phone numbers at Some helpful emergency preparedness actions include: 1) know the evacuation routes and severe weather shelter areas in the buildings where your classes are held, 2) determine how you will contact family and friends if phones are temporarily unavailable, and 3) identify where you will go if you need to evacuate the Denton area suddenly. In the event of a university closure, please refer to Blackboard for contingency plans for covering course materials.
Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE)
Student feedback is important and an essential part of participation of this course. The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available at the end of the semester to provide you with an opportunity to evaluate how this course is taught.
Retention of Student Records
Student records pertaining to this course are maintained in a secure location by the instructor of record. All records such as exams, answer sheets (with keys), and written papers submitted during the duration of the course are kept for at least one calendar year after course completion. Coursework completed via the Blackboard on-line system, including grading information and comments, is also stored in a safe electronic environment. You have a right to view your individual record; however, information about your records will not be divulged to other individuals without the proper written consent. You are encouraged to review the Public Information Policy and F.E.R.P.A. (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) laws and the university’s policy in accordance with those mandates at the following link:
Please note that notification is hereby made in this syllabus that this course may involve potentially hazardous activities, the nature of which include working with exposure to electronically powered equipment. Accordingly, the Department of Radio, Television & Film has slated this course within category 2 (courses in which students are exposed to some significant hazards but are not likely to suffer serious bodily harm).
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus with prior student notification.
RTVF 3650 Advanced Audio Production
Fall 2013 Course Schedule
September
Tues. 3rdFirst Day/Syllabus/Ch. 2 Sound and Hearing/
Ch. 5 Microphones
Tues. 10thField Recorders/Demo/Field Testing (bring headphones)
Project 1 Preview
Tues. 17thCh. 3 Acoustics/Pro Tools demo/Listen to Project 1/Project 2 preview
Project 3 preview
~Project 1 Due
Tues. 24thCh. 6 Consoles/ Ch. 7 Recording/Ch. 9 Signal Processors/Pro Tools review
Project 2 review
Project 3 review
October
Tues. 1stCh. 11 V.O.’s/Ch. 12 Dialogue/Ch. 13 Studio Production/ Ch. 21 Editing
Pro Tools demo
Project 3 Script Due
~Project 2 Due
Tues. 8thCh. 4 Loudspeakers/ Ch. 15 Sound Design/
Ch. 16 Sound Effects
Tues. 15thExam I
Tues. 22ndCh. 17 Music Underscoring/ Ch. 22 Mixing
Tues. 29thCh. 18 Mobile Media/Ch. 19 Game Sound
November
Tues. 5thCh. 8 Synch and Transfers/ Ch. 23 Premixing & Recording
Project 3 Review/Project 4 Preview
Tues. 12thTBA
Tues. 19thListen and critique Project 3
~Project 3 Due
Tues. 26thProject 4 Review
December
Tues. 3rd~Project 4 Due
***Final Exam***Tuesday 10th1:30-3:30pm
-Note: Schedule is subject to change due to field trips and other factors beyond the instructor’s control.