Weaver Music Production
Weaver Music Production Course Descriptions
Academy Introduction to Recording
This course serves as an introduction to the basics of sound and recording systems. Students will learn beginning
terminology, study design and application, and become familiar with the fundamental operations of a studio set up. Included
will be hands-on introductions to studio equipment from microphones to a 32 channel recording console.
Academy Recording Engineering I
Students will apply acquired theoretical knowledge to begin an exploration into the recording process. The course will cover
fundamental applications of analog and digital recording. Students will complete exercises designed to teach appropriate
applications of the hardware and software used to record. Experiences will include working with computers, calibration and
alignment of equipment, console flow logic, patch bay application, microphone placement, and studio maintenance.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Recording
Academy Recording Engineering II
This course is a continuation of Recording Engineering I, and delves deeper into studio recording techniques, expanding into
live sound situations and the mix down process. Students will learn multi-track mixing techniques to stereo or mono format
through both digital and analog systems. Students will utilize multi-band equalization, panning, reverberation, as well as,
outboard and digital hardware effects such as compressors and limiters. Students will also be introduced to live recording
techniques including the practical application of recording during live recitals and concerts.
Academy Recording Engineering III
A continuation of Recording Engineering II, students will demonstrate knowledge of previously learned information through
application. This course consists of assisting in all aspects of pre-production, recording sessions and post-production.
Students in this class are expected to interact with other Weaver Academy groups for live recording and studio sessions.
This course offers the student hands-on experience in the studio, assisting with recordings and the post-production process.
Students actively participate in the production of a bi-weekly Podcast entitled, Weaver Action News. Each student gets the
opportunity to experience an on-going commercial production schedule, to produce and edit defined projects in preparation
for broadcast on the Internet.
Academy Introduction to Recording
This course serves as an introduction to the basics of sound and recording systems. Students will learn beginning
terminology, study design and application, and become familiar with the fundamental operations of a studio set up. Included
will be hands-on introductions to studio equipment from microphones to a 32 channel recording console.
Academy Recording Engineering I
Students will apply acquired theoretical knowledge to begin an exploration into the recording process. The course will cover
fundamental applications of analog and digital recording. Students will complete exercises designed to teach appropriate
applications of the hardware and software used to record. Experiences will include working with computers, calibration and
alignment of equipment, console flow logic, patch bay application, microphone placement, and studio maintenance.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Recording
Academy Recording Engineering II
This course is a continuation of Recording Engineering I, and delves deeper into studio recording techniques, expanding into
live sound situations and the mix down process. Students will learn multi-track mixing techniques to stereo or mono format
through both digital and analog systems. Students will utilize multi-band equalization, panning, reverberation, as well as,
outboard and digital hardware effects such as compressors and limiters. Students will also be introduced to live recording
techniques including the practical application of recording during live recitals and concerts.
Academy Recording Engineering III
A continuation of Recording Engineering II, students will demonstrate knowledge of previously learned information through
application. This course consists of assisting in all aspects of pre-production, recording sessions and post-production.
Students in this class are expected to interact with other Weaver Academy groups for live recording and studio sessions.
This course offers the student hands-on experience in the studio, assisting with recordings and the post-production process.
Students actively participate in the production of a bi-weekly Podcast entitled, Weaver Action News. Each student gets the
opportunity to experience an on-going commercial production schedule, to produce and edit defined projects in preparation
for broadcast on the Internet.
Tutoring and Appointments
The instructor will be available for tutoring and appointments during his planning period (2nd Block), before school or
after school. Individual times may be scheduled by contacting the instructor at (336) 370-8282.
Attendance Requirement
The attendance requirement for this course is the same as stated in the Weaver Academy Student Handbook in accordance
with Guilford County School policy.
Problem-Based Learning
Each level of Music Production requires problem-based assignments and authentic, real-world problem solving. Every
recording project requires musical skill along with the ability to utilize the equipment to transform the musical ideas into
actual recordings. Each project requires critical thinking and decision-making to complete the assignments. Cooperative
learning and group skills are also a part of this course, in addition to increased keyboard technique.
Selected Self-Assessment Assignments
Students learn to do objective self-assessment on selected recording assignments. All students listen to every other
student's recording in their class and make an assessment using a rubric that includes: Use of Equipment, Originality,
Emotional Response, and Use of Effects. This teachers students critical listening skills along with how to objectively
evaluate the quality of the work (because they have done the same assignment). The numbers are averaged to create a grade
that reflects the real-world evaluation of how the public perceives recordings. Instead of having just the opinion of the
instructor, the whole class participates in constructive criticism of the quality of the recording project.
Any student making a "C" or less during the grading period will be required to attend tutorial sessions to help improve the
grade. All students are required to keep a notebook of the handouts, notes, field trip summaries, all returned quizzes, and
supplemental materials. This notebook should be brought to class everyday and will be checked periodically for a grade.
The instructor will be available for tutoring and appointments during his planning period (2nd Block), before school or
after school. Individual times may be scheduled by contacting the instructor at (336) 370-8282.
Attendance Requirement
The attendance requirement for this course is the same as stated in the Weaver Academy Student Handbook in accordance
with Guilford County School policy.
Problem-Based Learning
Each level of Music Production requires problem-based assignments and authentic, real-world problem solving. Every
recording project requires musical skill along with the ability to utilize the equipment to transform the musical ideas into
actual recordings. Each project requires critical thinking and decision-making to complete the assignments. Cooperative
learning and group skills are also a part of this course, in addition to increased keyboard technique.
Selected Self-Assessment Assignments
Students learn to do objective self-assessment on selected recording assignments. All students listen to every other
student's recording in their class and make an assessment using a rubric that includes: Use of Equipment, Originality,
Emotional Response, and Use of Effects. This teachers students critical listening skills along with how to objectively
evaluate the quality of the work (because they have done the same assignment). The numbers are averaged to create a grade
that reflects the real-world evaluation of how the public perceives recordings. Instead of having just the opinion of the
instructor, the whole class participates in constructive criticism of the quality of the recording project.
Any student making a "C" or less during the grading period will be required to attend tutorial sessions to help improve the
grade. All students are required to keep a notebook of the handouts, notes, field trip summaries, all returned quizzes, and
supplemental materials. This notebook should be brought to class everyday and will be checked periodically for a grade.
Music Production Class Expectations
1. Be on time for class
2. Take notes in class and keep a notebook for the handouts and supplemental materials
3. Be respectful to your classmates (share time on equipment, assist others with their recordings)
4. No profanity or sexual references on any recording projects
5. Full participation in every class activity
6. No food or drinks in the classroom
7. Handle the equipment with care at all times
******************************************************************************
Grading Scale (all classes)
20% Daily Participation
25% Tests / Quizzes / Vocabulary
5% Notebook
50% Recording Assignments
*******************************************************************************
Recording Assignment Grading Criteria
25% Originality of Material (creativity of recorded material and using your ideas in an original
way)
30% Effective use of Equipment (Taking advantage of recording resources)
10% Worksheet (Ad copy writing, Narration script, purpose of recording)
20% Recording Quality (clean tracks without noise or hums)
15% Mixing Techniques (Effective use of plug-in effects, panning, volume, relative levels)
1. Be on time for class
2. Take notes in class and keep a notebook for the handouts and supplemental materials
3. Be respectful to your classmates (share time on equipment, assist others with their recordings)
4. No profanity or sexual references on any recording projects
5. Full participation in every class activity
6. No food or drinks in the classroom
7. Handle the equipment with care at all times
******************************************************************************
Grading Scale (all classes)
20% Daily Participation
25% Tests / Quizzes / Vocabulary
5% Notebook
50% Recording Assignments
*******************************************************************************
Recording Assignment Grading Criteria
25% Originality of Material (creativity of recorded material and using your ideas in an original
way)
30% Effective use of Equipment (Taking advantage of recording resources)
10% Worksheet (Ad copy writing, Narration script, purpose of recording)
20% Recording Quality (clean tracks without noise or hums)
15% Mixing Techniques (Effective use of plug-in effects, panning, volume, relative levels)
General Course Syllabus
Analog Recording
How it used to be done
Recording on tape
Audio Mixers
The purpose
How different sections function
Signal buses and how they effect routing
Microphones
How they work
Pick up patterns
Choosing the appropriate microphone for the session
General Microphone techniques and placement
Introduction to Pro Tools
Basic Hardware
Starting a session
Saving a session
Adding additional tracks
Mix window and Edit window
How to navigate the Digi 002 console
Major sections of the Digi 002 console
Edit modes, Slip Shuffle, Spot recording, Grid recording, Synchronization, Grouping tracks, Region names
Memory locations, Editing tools, Using loops, Insert effects
Automation (volume, panning)
Busing tracks to create master tracks
Effects and how they work
Plug in effects on Pro Tools
Using effects on the Roland 1680 and with Reason Digital software
D Verb, EQ, Delay, Pitch Shift, Time Expansion / compression
Bouncing to Disk, Understanding latency, Basic mastering techniqsues
Fundamentals of Digital Audio
How sound is created, properties of a sound wave
Amplitude, frequency, wavelength, phase, frequency response
How speakers work
How CDs work
Midi Basics
Studying the Music Industry
Recording contracts
How to get industry attention
Promoting your product
How to book a recording session
How to choose a recording studio
How to write an artist Bio
Exploring careers in Music Production
What a recording engineer really does
The business organization of record companies
Changes in the music business
Reasons your demo may be rejected / releasing your own record /strategy to get a record deal
Radio hits and promotion
CD duplication
Live Sound Applications
How to mike acoustic instruments
Speaker placement
Live Mixing techniques / Live recording techniques
Mike placement / Use of the audio snake
Commercials and Advertising
How to write Ad Copy
Contracts to produce commercials
Directing voice talent
Using special effects to enhance commercials
Examples of our assigned recording projects
Record "homemade" percussion instruments that are playable and recordable
All natural recording (no keyboards, drum machines, or tone modules
Commercials about real products and businesses
Weaver recruitment commercials
Comedy commercials
Recording Interviews
Record someone else (from other arts students / audition recordings)
Record original music
Radio Program (creation of a radio format bi-weekly news and entertainment program)
Editing classic songs
Record a parody of a popular song
Creating original TV themes / Music for Video games / Exercise music
Foley ( creating sound effects to enhance recorded stories)
Mixing and editing using Pro Tools
Live recording and editing of Weaver Academy Concerts
Creating music using Reason Digital software and virtual instruments and sampled loops
Analog Recording
How it used to be done
Recording on tape
Audio Mixers
The purpose
How different sections function
Signal buses and how they effect routing
Microphones
How they work
Pick up patterns
Choosing the appropriate microphone for the session
General Microphone techniques and placement
Introduction to Pro Tools
Basic Hardware
Starting a session
Saving a session
Adding additional tracks
Mix window and Edit window
How to navigate the Digi 002 console
Major sections of the Digi 002 console
Edit modes, Slip Shuffle, Spot recording, Grid recording, Synchronization, Grouping tracks, Region names
Memory locations, Editing tools, Using loops, Insert effects
Automation (volume, panning)
Busing tracks to create master tracks
Effects and how they work
Plug in effects on Pro Tools
Using effects on the Roland 1680 and with Reason Digital software
D Verb, EQ, Delay, Pitch Shift, Time Expansion / compression
Bouncing to Disk, Understanding latency, Basic mastering techniqsues
Fundamentals of Digital Audio
How sound is created, properties of a sound wave
Amplitude, frequency, wavelength, phase, frequency response
How speakers work
How CDs work
Midi Basics
Studying the Music Industry
Recording contracts
How to get industry attention
Promoting your product
How to book a recording session
How to choose a recording studio
How to write an artist Bio
Exploring careers in Music Production
What a recording engineer really does
The business organization of record companies
Changes in the music business
Reasons your demo may be rejected / releasing your own record /strategy to get a record deal
Radio hits and promotion
CD duplication
Live Sound Applications
How to mike acoustic instruments
Speaker placement
Live Mixing techniques / Live recording techniques
Mike placement / Use of the audio snake
Commercials and Advertising
How to write Ad Copy
Contracts to produce commercials
Directing voice talent
Using special effects to enhance commercials
Examples of our assigned recording projects
Record "homemade" percussion instruments that are playable and recordable
All natural recording (no keyboards, drum machines, or tone modules
Commercials about real products and businesses
Weaver recruitment commercials
Comedy commercials
Recording Interviews
Record someone else (from other arts students / audition recordings)
Record original music
Radio Program (creation of a radio format bi-weekly news and entertainment program)
Editing classic songs
Record a parody of a popular song
Creating original TV themes / Music for Video games / Exercise music
Foley ( creating sound effects to enhance recorded stories)
Mixing and editing using Pro Tools
Live recording and editing of Weaver Academy Concerts
Creating music using Reason Digital software and virtual instruments and sampled loops
To hear our Podcasts and class projects, click on the link above
ALL NEW
Weaver Music Production & Art students have created a series
of original children's stories that specialize in character development.
The first two stories were published in book form with audio CD.
These were donated to 14 elementary schools for their reading
programs. For more information, click the link below
ALL NEW
Weaver Music Production & Art students have created a series
of original children's stories that specialize in character development.
The first two stories were published in book form with audio CD.
These were donated to 14 elementary schools for their reading
programs. For more information, click the link below
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