The music recording industry has developed into a central and
sophisticated part of the popular and classical musical realms.
As part of this emergence, the role of the recording engineer has
come to be recognized as a significant musical element in recording
projects, with the recording studio itself regarded as a musical
instrument.
Recognizing this, the School of Music of the State University of
New York College at Fredonia has developed a comprehensive program
in Sound Recording Technology (SRT) and related areas of audio engineering-television
and radio, motion picture production, theater and concert sound
reinforcement. This intensive and interdisciplinary program in audio
engineering also provides a superb education in the liberal arts
and sciences. The curriculum is based upon the central notion that
an engineer in audio is a musician with a broad range of scientific
and engineering skills.
Students enrolling in the Sound Recording Technology program complete
a rigorous four-year program that includes studio training, musical
and academic studies, and liberal arts and sciences course work.
SRT students are music majors and have the same basic educational
responsibilities as all other music majors.
Many SRT students expand their college career: double majors in
applied musical instruments, music composition, math/physics, and
Special studies are common. Concentrations in communications (both
radio and TV), business, audiology, and computer science have all
been undertaken and are generally encouraged. Due to the large number
of required courses, such expansions sometimes require one or two
extra semesters.
SRT at Fredonia is a highly selective program, which begins its
technical aspects at the sophomore level. Applicants are accepted
both from freshman and transfer students according to the extent
to which they (a) demonstrate high academic potential through SAT
scores and grade point averages (especially in math and physics);
(b) have significant performing experience in diverse musical styles;
and (c) may have successfully fulfilled the freshman portion of
the Music Core Curriculum requirements either at Fredonia or through
approved transfer of credit.
Reasons for choosing Sound Recording include a fascination with
recorded music, a desire to couple scientific aptitude with a compelling
interest in music, a desire to compose/produce original music, and
a desire to supplement traditional musical performance training
with professional audio skills.
Transfer students come from a wide variety of backgrounds-some already
holding degrees, are often older and have substantial experience
and/or background in music and performance. All have demonstrated
ability or aptitude in the sciences, and very high motivation.
The three-year professional sequence of courses (starting at the
sophomore level) is designed to achieve a variety of goals: a working
knowledge of the hardware of the industry, training in production
of monaural, stereo and multi-track recording, and live sound for
different media; experience in operations, maintenance and management.
In the first year of SRT studies (200 level courses), students study
primary techniques of recorder alignment, analog tape editing, sound
reinforcement, performance recording, and stereo and multi-track
recording sessions. At the 300 level, studies of the multi-track
console and recorder are expanded. Additional subjects include automation,
digital recording, and signal processing. All juniors work as assistants
for the senior production projects, and complete their own projects
designed to develop their skills in mixing and multi-track recording.
At the 400 level, each student produces the equivalent of half an
album and prepares a research paper that is shared with the class
and open to other students in the program, and supports a focus
on professional development and subjects of current interest and
new technology.
In recognition of the volatile nature of the recording industry,
courses and offerings are under constant revision. Further, emphasis
is placed on developing the abilities of students to rapidly adapt
to new conditions and learn new systems. Students assist in the
operation of the studios on a 24-hour basis and are expected to
function in a professional manner.
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