Introduction to Radio Production
RA-TV 131
Instructor: John Chappell
Office: FB111 Phone: 575-6099 (Voice Mail) 575-6098 TECH RM
E-Mail: chappellj@mjc.edu
Web Page: http://virtual.mjc.edu/jchappell/131syls10.htm
WebRadio: http://mjc.edu/mjcradio

Instructional Assistant: John Giorgio
Office: MPAC 226  Phone: 575-6085 (Voice Mail)
E-Mail: giorgioj@mjc.edu
Production Studio hours: Mon - Thurs 8am-12noon & 1pm-5pm (Studio is used on Fridays by the recording class)

Introduction to radio production, broadcast audio control room procedures, and studio equipment. Students will learn basic planning and production techniques for radio programs, station promotions, commercial and public service announcements.
Field trips may be required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the semester you will be able to produce a commercial announcement, employing proper voice inflection and timing required for the broadcast industry.

By the end of the semester you will be able digitally edit audio files, including your voice and sound effects, into a  polished production for broadcast.

By the end of the semester you will be able to announce, mix and operate various studio audio equipment to record a radio DJ show in the broadcast aircheck format, commonly submitted to a broadcast station for employment.

Respect needs to be shown to your fellow classmates by not causing distractions in class.  This includes no cell phone use during lectures or striking up conversations during lectures.  If you have to be told to take your conversations outside of the classroom more than twice then you will be dropped from the class.  There are too many serious people on the waitlist that need your slot this semester.

TEXTBOOK: "MODERN RADIO PRODUCTION" - Eighth Edition (a textbook has been placed on reserve at the Library)

AUTHOR: O'Donnell, Benoit, and Hausman.

TESTS: There will be three tests with a total value of 180 points and a Final Exam worth 100 points.
                (60 pts. ea. quiz) {280 total quiz pts.}

ASSIGNMENTS: You will be asked to complete taped and/or written assignments during your lab time. These "labs" are worth 10 points each. { 15 labs = 150 points.} {up to 225 points with bonus points} To get full credit for these assignments you must turn them in on the assigned due date. The written portion of your assignments should be typewritten and double spaced. There will be extra credit bonus test questions, assignments in class, and an extra credit lab assignment.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DUE DATE WITH A 5 POINT PENALTY.  Assignments will not be accepted after two weeks.   

January

T12 - Class, Instructor, Student introductions, Profile sheets, E-mail,  Boss Jock Reunion video [Read Chap. 1 - skim 16]

R14 -  Radio station sound and formats/Radio and Media. (Chapt. 1 & 16 review)

M 18 -  MLK Holiday -- Last day to drop for a refund (Drop by phone/web until 11:00 PM )  

T 19 -  Audio Editing/Splicing
             {Tape splicing demo.}   [Read Chap 6] (Discuss Assn.#1)

R 21 - Intro. to digital editing [Read Chapt. 2]  (Discuss assn. #2)

T 26 – Crossfades and Segues / Radio on the Internet.  Tour Production Studio
            {Demo Tape}  {Computer editing demo} 

R 28- Audio Consoles - Audio Patch Bays - Public Service Announcements
                 PSA in class assn.   
 

F 29  - Assn.#1 & #2  Due      Radio Terms  
         
February

S 6-  Last day to drop without a "W"-(Drop by phone/web until 11:00 PM )
            
T 9 - Cartridge Tape Machines Cart Machines    More info on cart machines    In-Class graphic
           [Read Chap. 4]  (Discuss assn. 4)

W 10- Last day to file for pass/no pass option
                
R 11-  Magnetic Tape / DAT / Tape recorder Heads and Tape Tracks / Mini Disc - Review Quiz #1
         -   [Read Chap. 5] (Discuss Assn. #5)    Tape Tracks    Audio Head alignment
           Help from the Web (Click here)  DAT/ Audio tools

F 12 - Assn. # 4 due   (Last day to file for cr/nc option)

  (Discuss Lab #6)  [Read Chap.7]

        
F 12 - Lincoln's Birthday Holiday    

M 15 - Washington's Birthday Holiday

T 16 -  Assn. # 5 due

R 18 - Review Quiz #1 - - Characteristics of Sound - Microphone Categories, Types,  Pick-Up
             Patterns,   Audio Connectors (xlr/phone combo)     Basics of Sound    Microphone CategoriesPPT
                Audio TermsPPT     Sound PPT        db reference      Sound envelope  SPL chart    Microphone Patterns
                   (Discuss Lab # 6 &7) [Read Chap.8]

F 19 - Assn. # 6 & 7 due http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ppaF58XrVU (Cal/Max)

T 23 -   Quiz #1     (Discuss Lab #8)   Actualities  [Read Chap.9]  Marking News copy

R 25  Music Styles/Licensing/ Format  Clocks
             Music Licensing(Op lic)      BMI    ASCAP    SESAC    License fees
              

F 26 - Assn. # 8 due    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5db8Q-K1w (Cecil Lynch)

March

T 2 - Radio Station Licensing / Operators Licensing (waveform newsletter)
             Operators license     Station License    License Renewal    Broadcast endorsement (meters)
        (Discuss Lab #9)  [Read Chap.10]

R 4 - CBS Reports "Commercials" {Video}  Human Traits and Advertising  
            (In class exercise)
   
F 5 - Assn. #9 due   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THyhwDOSC_0 (George Stevans)

S 7 - Daylight Saving Time (Set your clocks 1 hr. ahead)

T 9 -  Emotions and Commercials /  Human Traits and Advertising      
            Review Quiz # 2   
                (Discuss Lab #10) [Read Chap.11]
                                                                                                                           

R 11 -   Quiz # 2 -
           

F 12  - Assn. #10 Due    http://www.youtube.com/user/ModestoRadioMuseum# (Carol Glass)

T 16 -   Categories of radio commercials / Writing from a fact sheet 
                (Discuss Lab #11)  [Read Chap.12]  
            

R 18 -  Spec Spots / Trade Outs/ Co-op marketing / SRDS book/ Video - Ed Staley on advertising
            

F 19 -  Assn. #11 Due

T 23 -   Trace a radio commercial 
                            (Discuss assn. #12)   [Read chap. 13]       
            
R 25 - Video - Secrets of Radio advertising {Tony Schwartz}
            

F 26 - Assn. #12 Due  Dave Luna at KABX

T 30 -  Radio Sales / Rate Cards / ; 
            {Telephone book exercise}(Discuss assn. #13)
            Last Day to drop -(Drop by phone/web until 9:00 PM )   [Read chap. 14]

April

R 1 -  Newsgathering sources/ Newscasting/wire copy/news equipment and
             services     Review  Quiz 3 - on Blackboard/WebCt
            {Scanner in-class}   
               

F 2 - Assn. #13 Due

T 6 -Broadcast logs - satellites / networks Remote broadcasts/ Studio 
             to Transmitter links /Pirates' Radio Block Diagram / Pirates' Radio Staffing 

R 8 -  Radio wave propagation/Radio frequency spectrum /  
             (salt water experiment)

Study slides for Final Exam : AM wave    AM chan.    AM Range    AM interference
                                         FM wave    FM chan.    FM chan2    FM chart    FM freq.    Line of sight    FM map
             
      
F 9 -  Assn. #14 Due   Tough TV tower fix

T13 - AM radio band configuration  --AM/FM Slide Lecture
            Radio Wave Propagation     Radio Bands  Ionosphere    US RF Spectrum chart (pdf)
                    Frequency Allocations  How Radio Works    RF Chart   
            (Discuss assn. #12) Kimberly Dahme homepage   Kimberly Dahme my space    Kimberly Dahme Songwriter 
             (Discuss assn. #14)  [Read chap.15]   Mike Novak biography

R 15 -   FM / XM / Sirius radio band configuration - HD Radio (hybrid digital)
             XM radio      HD Radio    Rock and Roll       AM Stereo  Sirius
             

T 20 -Automated Radio/Computer Logs (Observe MJC Pirates' Radio 
            on air this  week)   (Local  & Large market radio airchecks (Central Valley/Los Angeles)
            (Discuss assn. #15)  [Read chap. 16]     Rick Dees bio   Rick Dees Hall of Fame
            Robt. W Morgan bio     Robt. W interview     Pirates' Radio Log       Music Playlist
            NexGen software

R 22-Final Exam Review / (Assn. #15 - Make 1 hr. Appt. [My office-mock job interview] if you have completed all lab work)
                    Review WaveForm Newsletter http://www.wave@digitalmedianet.com
               http://www.radio411.com  

T- 27 - RA/TV 131  Final Exam 4 PM - 6:50PM (MPAC 243)    [Connectors page]
      
M 26 - F 30  - Finals  Week   (Graduation 4/30)

Lab 11    Lab 12    LAB 13    LAB 14    LAB 15