Skip to content

Course Syllabus

MUSC 4840 Live Sound Reinforcement

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 1; Lab: 2
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Corequisites: None
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Summer 2020
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2025
  • End Semester: Spring 2026
  • Optimum Class Size: 20
  • Maximum Class Size: 30

Course Description

This course covers the technical aspects and artistic sensibilities involved in providing live sound reinforcement from a simple PA system to a large arena touring rig. It focuses on first covering information and then quickly applying it with hands-on labs as well as practicum hours spent assisting with real events. This course is required for all students pursuing a ‘Bachelors of Music with an Emphasis in Commercial Music’.

Justification

Developing skills and knowledge of the technical aspects of live sound reinforcement are useful for any career path in music from performers to technicians to music educators. Courses of this type are typically offered as part of commercial music degrees at other institutions across the US.

General Education Outcomes

  1. A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Live Sound Reinforcement covers knowledge and concepts from multiple disciplines including music, theater, physics, and audio production.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Be able to setup a simple to moderate-sized live sound system.
  2. Understand the steps to take in order to avoid feedback as both a technician and a performer.
  3. Be able to perform basic tasks on any digital or analog console that they may encounter.
  4. Understand common microphone choice and placement for their focus instrument.
  5. Be able to troubleshoot any problem encountered in a Live Sound situation.
  6. Be able to describe and use the components and cables in a Live Sound system.
  7. Develop a respect and basic understanding for lighting systems and theater/stage craft.
  8. Understand the technical information connected to live sound reinforcement (Impedance, Measurement, etc.)
  9. Be able to record, edit, and deliver audio captured during a live performance.

Course Content

• 4 Parts of any Live Sound System
• Steps to Avoiding Feedback
• Troubleshooting
• Signal Flow and Routing
• Sound Measurement Tools
• Cable Wrapping
• Wiring and Connectors
• Power Concerns
• Impedance and Ohms Law
• Inverse Square Law
• Amplifiers
• Speakers
• Crossovers
• Microphones in Live Sound
• Stage Plots
• Reinforcement vs. Amplification
• Speech and PA Systems
• Music Reinforcement
• Professional Etiquette
• Lighting Systems
• Stage Craft
• Live Event Recording