DMA 433 Section 01 – Recording Studio Maintenance Lab

Spring 2017 Thursday 7:30pm – 8:45pm Location: NSM C251

Instructor: Michael Eckes
E-Mail: mteckes@gmail.com Phone: (310) 243-3853
Office: LCH A331 Office Hours: Wed. 3-4pm

Prerequisite: Junior status or instructor’s consent.

Course Description: This is an introductory course in installation, maintenance,

troubleshooting, and repair of professional audio equipment in a studio environment.

Goals: By the end of the semester, the student will display proficiency or knowledge in
the following:

-Recording studio maintenance procedures, practices, and etiquette.

-Cable infrastructure in the recording studio.

-Types of cables and connectors.

-Soldering.

-Rudimentary circuit analysis.

-Completion of two projects that require the implementation of the knowledge learned
throughout the semester.

During the semester, this syllabus and all course material are subject to change at
the instructor’s discretion.

Attendance: Students are expected to be on time and attend all course lectures and labs
since all material for the course is presented during class time. Excessive tardiness and
absences will result in a discussion and warning. There will be a deduction of 10 pts for
each absence and 5 pts for each late arrival on the student’s Attendance Score.

Textbooks and Materials: There is no required textbook for this course, but Electronic
Projects for Musicians by Craig Anderton is recommended. It is also expected that
students will review current periodicals such as Mix, Tape Op and Electronic Musician.
Students will be required to purchase tools and materials from a list given by the
instructor. Students will also be required to purchase materials for two projects that they
will build to demonstrate their soldering skills.

Tests: There will be a practical application midterm as well as a practical application

final on the dates listed on the schedule below.
Projects: There will be two projects that will require the student to demonstrate her/his
soldering skills along with information learned throughout the semester. The two projects
that are required are the L2P Line Level Attenuator and the L2A Passive Re-Amplifier.

These projects must be purchased from http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com.

Code of Conduct: It is important that the student conducts herself/himself in a

professional manner. Any student engaging in disruptive behavior will be given a
warning. Any student with excessive warnings will be asked to leave for the day.

Bring your tools every day! Tools will be used every day. The instructor will conduct an
inspection on the second class meeting to ensure that all students have their tools and
materials.

No Food or Drinks! Consumption of food in the classroom and lab is NOT allowed at
any time.

No Cell Phones! Before entering the classroom, make sure that your cell phone is on
silent so that it will not disrupt the class. If you must use your phone, inform the
instructor and step outside of class to use the phone whether you make or accept a call or
need to send a text. Any student caught texting or checking social media during class and
lab times will be asked to leave and will receive a zero for the day.

A school email account is also needed for this course.

Academic Integrity: Consult the University Catalog section titled “Academic Integrity”
for campus policy on cheating and plagiarism.

Disabilities: Students with disabilities are encouraged to consult the University Catalog
for information on Disabled Student Services at 310-243-3660. Students requiring
assistance with exams or other course work can utilize these services.

Course Outline: This outline is a brief schedule that is subject to change depending on
the pace of the class:

Week 1 – Overview of the class, syllabus, and materials/tools needed. Project

accountability.
Week 2 – Tool inspection, Unbalanced TS cables and connectors lab.
Week 3 – XLR cables and connectors lab.
Week 4 – TRS Balanced cables and connectors lab.
Week 5 – Practical Maintenance lab.
Week 6 – Practical Maintenance lab continued.
Week 7 – Patchbay (half/full) normals.
Week 8 – Custom cables lab.
Week 9 – Cat 5/Ethernet cable lab.
Week 10 – Practical Application Midterm
Week 11 – Project L2P begins.
Week 12 – Project L2A begins.
Week 13 – Recording studio maintenance.
Week 14 – Recording studio maintenance continued.
Week 15 – Last day to finish L2P and L2A projects.
Week 16 – Practical Application Final

Grading Criteria:
Projects (XLRs, TRS, TS, Patchpoints) 100
Practical Application Midterm 100
Practical Application Final 100
L2P & L2A projects 100
Total 400 points

Grading Scale:
A (4.0) = 99-92%
A- (3.7) = 91-90%
B+(3.3) = 89-88%
B (3.0) = 87-82%
B- (2.7) = 81-80%
C+(2.3) = 79-78%
C (2.0) = 77-72%
C- (1.7) = 71-70%
D+(1.3) = 69-68%
D (1.0) = 67-60%
F (0.0) = 59-0 %

List of Tools and Materials Needed:

• (1) Soldering iron with holster (Weller WLC100 Solder Station recommended)

• (1) Thin tip for the soldering iron

• (1) Tip cleaner for the soldering iron

• (1) Spool of solder (60/40 Sn/Pb Rosin core .032” gauge)

• (1) Solder sucker (de-soldering tool)

• (1) Pair of needle nose pliers

• (1) Pair of wire cutters (preferably needle nose type)

• (1) Pair of wire strippers (preferably thin gauge capabilities)

• (1) Vice (Fry’s has a good one for $5)

• (1) Screwdriver set containing Phillips and flathead screwdrivers

• (1) Toolbox

• (1) XLR Neutrik Male connector

• (1) XLR Neutrik Female connector

• (2) 1⁄4” TRS/Balanced Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors

• (2) 1⁄4” TS/Unbalanced connectors

• (1) Pack of Cat-5 Ethernet connectors (These are usually sold in packs of 10, 20, 50)