ProTools:70D Pro Tools 210M Syllabus

Course Description

Avid Pro Tools Certified course completes skills needed to operate sophisticated Pro Tools systems in professional music production environments. Music production techniques, composing with MIDI, loop editing, sampling in Pro Tools, Beat Detective, drum replacement and augmentation, final mixing and mastering. Collaborate workflows between home studios and commercial recording facilities. Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts for increased efficiency. Practical examples and experience with exercise files from professional recording artists. Successful completion achieves Avid Pro Tools Operator Music Certification.

Required Textbook

Pro Tools 210M, Version 12

Author: Frank Cook

Publisher: Avid

This book is only available at the Foothill Bookstore. Versions on Amazon.com might NOT be up-to-date. Electronic versions of the first few chapters will be provided to give students adequate time to purchase the textbook.

Learning Objectives

1. Configure and program external MIDI devices.
2. Import data from other sessions.
3. Create composites from multiple takes and region playlists.
4. Explain and program virtual instruments.
5. Customize memory locations and windows configurations.
6. Demonstrate professional digital audio editing techniques.
7. Apply synchronization concepts to external analog and digital equipment.
8. Understand how to deliver finished projects using FTP based systems.
9. Understand advanced mixing and automation.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of 70C Pro Tools 201 is highly recommended.

Communication Channels

Instructor Communication Channels

Bruce Tambling - Co-Director Music Technology

I respond to email sent to support@brucetambling.com within 2 business days, and often on the same day sent.

1. On Campus Office Hours
   • Mondays 3PM - 5PM
2. Virtual Office Hours
   • Schedule Appointment
   • One-On-One Meetings can be Phone or Zoom
   • 7 Days a week
   • 1PM - 10PM
3. Support Channel - Preferred
   • This system creates a support ticket to insure we resolve your issues and requests.
   • support@brucetambling.com
   • Tambling Support Form Request
4. Cell Phone
   • 408-313-9006
5. Canvas Messaging - please avoid using.
6. Closed Facebook Group
7. Canvas Announcements
   • Please be proactive and GO TO the Canvas Announcements. Read recent announcements and all the archives. Don’t depend 100% on email notifications.
8. San Jose Recording Studio
   • 458A Reynolds Circle
   • San Jose, CA 95112
   • Studio Tours available by appointment.

Additional Support

1. Eric Kuehnl Co-Director Music Technology
   • kuehnleric@fhda.edu
2. Al Ruffinelli - Music Tech Systems Admin
   • ruffinellial@fhda.edu
   • 650-949-7055
   • IDEA Lab (Building 1200)
     • Mon - Fri
     • 10AM - 7PM
3. Canvas Support
   • 24 Hour Hotline: (877) 930-1173
   • Create Foothill Support Ticket

Computers, Software, and Required Website Accounts

Hybrid Online TBA Activities

This course includes three (3) hybrid hours per week conducted via the Internet and not in the face-to-face class session on campus. Listed as TBA in the Foothill College Course Schedule, these hours can be done anywhere with an Internet connection. In order to fulfill the participation requirements for these hybrid hours, students are expected to complete various online activities each week which may include:

• Instructor-facilitated Discussions
• Private Messages
• Live Chat or Instant Messaging
• Lab Assignments, including student-created content
• Web conferencing of lectures or discussions
• Collaborative group work
• Portfolio submissions with instructor feedback
• Student peer-review postings
• Quizzes with instructor feedback

Computer Requirements

Although most of the online content in this class can be accessed with mobile devices, some of the content and apps require a desktop or laptop computer.

1. Mac or Windows Operating System.
2. Any of the major browsers, preferably all three:
   • Google Chrome (recommended)
   • Firefox
   • Safari

Computer Labs

The Foothill College campus features two labs fully loaded with the latest version of Pro Tools and multimedia software applications. Online students are always welcome to join any of the face-to-face lectures or activities on the Foothill campus as your schedule permits.

• IDEA Center Room 1211
• Krause Center of Innovation offers a spacious Multimedia Lab with a Cafe and beautiful view.

Required Software

Pro Tools Options

1. Use the computers in the IDEA Lab and KCI with Pro Tools installed.
2. Purchase subscription directly from Avid.
   • Installing on your computer is the fastest way to learn Pro Tools.
   • The best deal is $8.25/month.
3. Sweetwater.com is a great place to purchase Pro Tools, at student discount, because they offer free tech support that is better than Avid support.
4. Students who are declared Music Technology Majors may qualify for a free one year subscription to Pro Tools Ultimate.

Additional Applications

1. Screen Capture Software
   • Students will be required to submit a screen capture video for some creative projects and technical assignments.
   • Screenflow, normally $129, but offers an unlimited trial mode that will be fine for this class.
   • Go here for more info: How to Create Screencasts.
2. MP3 Conversion Software

Required Website Accounts

1. Canvas
   • Foothill College Online Learning Management System.
2. MusicTechWiki Account
   • Wiki website designed to support MusicTech classes. Signup for free.
   • Create-MTW-Account
   • Secret wiki-code CAPTCHA provided in Canvas.
3. Google Account
   • We use Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Calendars in our Music Tech classes.

Equipment

Suggested Equipment

Here are some key pieces of equipment for putting together a home studio.

1. iLok
   • USB thumb drive required for plugin licenses
2. Headphones
   • Very useful to have a good set of headphones
3. Audio Interface
   • Better than sound card built into your computer.
4. MIDI Keyboard Controller
5. External Speakers
   • Sounds better than speakers built into your computer
6. Microphone - Dynamic or Condenser
   • Dynamic Mics
   • Condenser Mics
7. Acoustical Panels
   • GIK Acoustics
   • Quality products at great prices

Assignments, Grading and Important Dates

Assignment Deadlines

1. We give you a 2 week grace period to submit your assignments past the Due Date
   • No late penalties or score reductions will be applied
2. If you submit assignments more than 2 weeks past the due date, we will do our best to accommodate you
   • There is NO need to ask for extensions
     • There is no need to provide detailed explanations
   • We understand that things come up. Just do your BEST to submit what you can ASAP
3. The absolute FINAL DEADLINE to submit ANY late assignments for this class is Sunday, March 29 11:59PM

Grades

Your grade will be determined by the total number of points acquired throughout the quarter. Assignments, Projects, Quizzes and Tests accumulate the number of points posted in the Canvas.

99% - 100%	Total Points = A+
90% - 99%	Total Points = A
80% - 89%	Total Points = B
70% - 79%	Total Points = C
60% - 69%	Total Points = D
0% - 59%	Total Points = F

Effort and Improvement

Most of the assignments in these Music Tech classes are graded based on effort, time and energy invested and general progress over the quarter. We don't grade students down for creative, artistic or aesthetic criteria. Generally speaking, if you submit the assignment on time, you will receive full points.

Final Grade

Final Grade is determined by:

1. Quizzes and Exams
2. Assignments and Exercises
3. Creative Projects
4. Class Participation - For on campus classes this is 10% of your grade and requires weekly attendance.

Quiz and Exam Scores

You can re-take Quizzes and Exams as many times as you want. Your score will be based on your last attempt.

Class participation

There are a number of ways students can earn points for class participation.

1. In class discussions, both face to face and online.
   • Weekly participation is 10% of grade for on campus face-to-face classes.
2. Written reports and contributions, including comments and feedback to other students, are recorded in the class Canvas website.

Learn By Doing

You will be encouraged to research various concepts, techniques and workflows. Learning how to focus Google Searches with optimal keywords is an essential skill for all Music Tech students.

Workload and Grading Curve

Sometimes it's difficult to estimate exactly how much time is required for certain exercises and projects. If I miscalculated or underestimate the amount of work required for a given assignment, don't worry, we will adjust the due dates and/or deliverables. At the end of the quarter, final grades are always very fair and generous.

Extra Credit and Optional Assignments

This class includes a variety of Extra Credit and Optional Assignments allowing students to choose areas of interest and to make up for late work if needed.

Assignment Feedback and Grading Timelines

We make every effort to review and grade your assignments within one week after the due date. Please keep in mind many assignments must be manually reviewed and graded: one at a time. If students notice their assignment scores do not accurately reflect completed work, please contact us.

Add Codes

After the quarter starts, students will need an Add Code to add the class. We can usually provide these for you. Please ask us for an add code. The SOONER you do this the better chance you have to register. Additional information regarding late add procedures at Foothill College can be found here: How to Add a Class.

Avoid Being Dropped

In order to avoid being dropped for non-attendance there must be evidence of weekly attendance/participation by students in an academically related activity (e.g., discussion forum posting, online quiz, reflection, assignment, exam, email, office visit, telephone call, or electronic communication).

Important Dates and Deadlines

Winter 2020

1. Friday, Jan. 17 - Last day to ADD classes
2. Sunday, Jan. 19 - Last day to drop for a full refund
3. Friday, March 27 - Winter Quarter End
4. Friday, March 27 - All assignments, projects, tests are due
5. Sunday, March 29 11:59PM - Absolute DEADLINE to submit any LATE assignments
6. Tuesday, March 31 - Grades submitted to Office of Admissions Records

The digital media content creation industry is driven by strict deadlines. If you aspire to work professionally in the industry, or transfer to another school, we encourage you to get used to completing things on time. Your contributions to this class are a vital ingredient for all of us. The exchange of information, and sharing of the creative process, can only happen if you stay up to date with the assigned material. We are all incredibly busy this day and age, and we understand the balancing act to get everything done. The Music Technology Program wants to encourage and support your success in this class.

Academics

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Your contributions to this class are a vital ingredient for all of us. The exchange of information, and sharing of the creative process, contributes to a rich learning experience that is often greater than any textbook could provide. Music Technology Classes involve the creation of digital media content. Students will retain full ownership and copyright of all their works. Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author, or those deriving their rights through the author, can rightfully claim copyright. In other words, once you've written it, you hold copyright.

Similar to a teaching hospital, student's submitted work, assignments and projects may be shared with other Music Tech students for educational purposes. Always in a password protected area, not available to the general public. Students will always receive appropriate credit and recognition. Your instructor may exhibit, discuss and analyze your work in class. The student is completely protected by copyright law and remains the sole owner, and copyright holder, of all material. If the student wants to prevent any public exhibition of material, please don't submit these works for class credit. Students should only submit works agreed to be publicly reviewed for educational purposes.

The instructor, Bruce Tambling, has been teaching music technology classes for many years and has never experienced any copyright infringement or unlawful exploitation of student's work. Quite the contrary, students benefit from the exposure of having their work presented as this can lead to the creation of industry contacts, job referrals, academic and professional recognition, and optimized search engine placement.

The work students create is their personal intellectual property. This intellectual property can become a very valuable portfolio. Many commercially released album projects, film sound tracks, record deals, and professional collaborations started out as humble assignments submitted for class credit.

Academic Honesty

You will be encouraged to examine and review examples of professional work. You will also be encouraged to exchange ideas and collaborate with fellow classmates. However, please avoid copying other people's work. If you submit copies of someone's work, you will receive zero credit and may be sent to the Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary actions.

Accommodations

Any student who feels they may need special accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Foothill College has many support systems in place to help. We are committed to creating a course that is inclusive in its design that meets the needs of our diverse student body. If you encounter barriers, please let me know immediately so we can determine if there is a design adjustment that can be made. We are happy to consider creative solutions as long as they do not compromise the intent of the class or learning activity

Safety Awareness

Making Phone Calls in an Emergency

Should you need to call police in an emergency, call 9-1-1 from any “landline” campus phone. At Foothill, this includes office phones, classroom phones and pay phones. If you’re using your cell phone, we suggest that you call the Foothill Police Dispatch Center directly at (408) 924-8000. Unfortunately, calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone can result in reaching the CHP Dispatch Center in Vallejo. Program your cell phone with the direct number— (408) 924-8000. It’s also a good idea to program your cell phone with the phone number of your local police department.

On-Campus Police Department

Foothill College has an on-campus police department that is staffed with regular, sworn police officers who have been trained in police procedures and emergency response. The Foothill College Police Department is located on the ground floor of the Campus Center in Room 2103. If you must walk alone or in dark areas, use the on-campus safety escort service, which is operated by the Foothill Police Department, by calling (650) 949-7317.

Constant Work in Progress

This syllabus is a living document that we are constantly developing and improving. Refer to it often over the duration of this course. The field of Music Technology is rapidly evolving. New software and hardware is being released everyday. It's a very exciting time. Unlike other classes where the curriculum has been established for many years and assignments remain the same every quarter, the field of Music Technology is constantly changing. This keeps things interesting but sometimes creates chaos when updating equipment and software versions etc. In addition to being your instructor, I'm also an artist and student. We are constantly learning, researching, exploring and creating. The Foothill College recording studio is one of our "research laboratories." I also own one of the top recording studio facilities in Silicon Valley and subscribe to all of the premium music tech training websites and journals. So the curriculum in my classes is constantly evolving.

Diverse Range of Students

We acknowledge the diversity of the students in all of our Music Tech courses. Many of you join our classes ranging in age, with different backgrounds, experience levels and skill sets. In teaching so many diverse students, one of our challenges as professors is to provide a personalized experience for all of our students, so that you may get the most out of each course and walk away with skills and knowledge that you feel will benefit you for the future.

That being said, it is possible, given the diversity of all of your backgrounds, that at certain points, the courses may not be moving at a pace that you would like; whether that be too fast or too slow.

If you feel the course is moving too fast and you are falling behind, please send us a message as soon as possible so we can help you get caught up and point you in the right direction for resources and materials to help you.

If you feel the course is moving too slow, we would also like you to contact us ASAP and let us know. We have a TON of supplementary material including hundreds of articles, videos and exercises for you so that you can learn at your preferred pace and get the most out of each course.

We want to hear your feedback and strive to make each course as in-depth, detailed, and as personalized as possible. We want all of you to walk away from these courses feeling like you learned something valuable.

Welcome to Class!

We are all in this class because we are moved and inspired by the magnificent magic of music and sound. We are fascinated with Music Technology and the rapidly evolving tools and techniques used in the creative process. Learning the art and science of music production also requires focused work and self-discipline. You should plan on dedicating time each week to study and explore. Your instructors are here to help - so we can all learn and grow together.