MUS 3329 (LUOA), CMUS 329 (LUO): Fundamentals of Sound Reinforcement

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 07/30/2026

Course Description

Rationale

Churches need capable audio technicians for their gatherings, now more than ever. Additionally, the light of Christ is dramatically underrepresented in the live event industry. This course seeks to give the student the tools he or she needs to serve in both arenas with excellence for the sake of the Kingdom. Practical application is heavily favored in this course, building upon the foundational knowledge established in the prerequisites and allowing the student to step into any environment quickly to make a positive impact.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings, videos, articles, and lecture presentations

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 250–300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 or more words. Each thread and reply must incorporate at least one scholarly citation.

The student will view the Audinate Dante Level 1 Certification materials (provided) and then take the Audinate Dante Certification exam, providing proof of completing the certification for points in the course.

The student will prepare relevant live sound production documentation such as a tour rider, input list, stage plot, and show flow (run) sheet in formats as described in the course materials.

Microphone Setup Assignment

The student will utilize an AI tool to recommend 1 microphone and placement approach for a live vocal and 1 microphone and placement approach for an instrument. The AI must provide at least 3 reasons for each recommendation. The student will provide screenshots of the AI conversation. The student will then video themselves setting up a mic and recording a vocalist into any computer-based Digital Audio Workstation software (Audacity, Reaper, GarageBand, etc.) and also video themselves setting up a mic and recording an instrumentalist in a similar manner as above. At the beginning of the videos, the student will identify 1 aspect where the AI recommendation was helpful, 1 aspect where the AI recommendation was incorrect, incomplete, or impractical, and will explain what was changed and why using course concepts.

The student will design a simple sound system, providing appropriate brands and models, quantities, and published prices. The student will complete an essay of at least 2 pages providing a rationale for his or her design choices.

The student will attend 2 concerts or events in his or her area with a high level of live audio production, and the student will take notes that will assist him or her in answering the essay questions. Each essay answer must be at least 250 words.

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain multiple-choice, true/false, and essay questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. Each quiz may be attempted twice, and the highest attempt will count toward the grade.

The Quiz: Mid-Term will cover the Learn material for Module 1: Week 1 – Module 4: Week 4. It will be open-book/open-notes, contain 24 multiple-choice, true/false, multiple-answer, and essay questions, and have a 1-hour-and-30-minute time limit. The quiz may be attempted once.

The Quiz: Final will cover the Learn material for the entire course. It will be open-book/open-notes, contain 30 multiple-choice, true/false, multiple-answer, and essay questions, and have a 2-hour time limit. The quiz may be attempted once.