Revised 10/2010

MUS 158 - Recording Studio Electronics: Theory and Maintenance (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces the practices used in maintaining professional recording equipment and basic electronic theory used within the recording industry. Provides the skills and knowledge necessary to perform routine maintenance and to repair recording and related equipment. Designed to prepare the student for position as entry-level technician or apprentice recording engineer. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of electronic theory and practice as it applies to the recording industry. It allows the student to develop skills in troubleshooting, basic repairs, equipment set- up, general maintenance, and the routine of maintenance found in the recording studio environment. The student will develop basic skill levels and competency in the field of studio electronics through theoretical activities, directed lab activities, and practical application within the environment of the programs studios. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Concurrent enrollment in the Recording Technology Certificate program, the required MATH elective, and division approval.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Understand basic electronic theory
  • Troubleshoot simple problems in recording systems.
  • Fabricate and repair common types of cables and connectors found in the studio and broadcast industry
  • Read and interpret schematic and single line drawings
  • Develop the skills necessary to perform routine adjustments on recording equipment
  • Set up a basic recording system in a studio
  • Evaluate equipment by specifications
  • Perform regularly scheduled routine maintenance on DAWs

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Ohm's law and its derivatives
  • Electron flow, theory, and practice
  • Basic amplifier theory
  • Reading of schematic and basic line diagrams
  • Maintain hard drives, create ftp servers and RAID configuration
  • Equipment interconnection parameters and grounding techniques
  • Troubleshooting basic recording system problems
  • Scheduling and performing routine maintenance