Instructor:  Emmanuel Saldana

Email: saldanaej@lamarpa.edu

Phone: (409) 300- 7630

Office Hours: N/A

Additional Contact Information: manny.saldana3160@gmail.com

An overview of the field of live sound. Includes principles of live sound and the theory and interconnection of the components of a sound reinforcement system.

The Ultimate Live Sound Operators Handbook, Third Edition

ISBN- 13: 9781538133170

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

N/A

• MUSC-1327 Audio Engineering I

1. Perform the primary duties of an A2, including stage preparation, equipment placement, input-list organization, system patching, line checks, stage communication, troubleshooting, and proper strike procedures.
2. Trace, patch, and verify analog signal flow from microphones, direct boxes, and stage inputs through split systems, mixing consoles, monitor outputs, amplifiers, and loudspeakers.
3. Identify common electrical and audio power requirements; calculate basic equipment and circuit loads; distribute equipment safely across available circuits; and apply proper grounding, cable management, and power-up/power-down procedures.
4. Configure and operate stage-monitor and personal-monitor systems using auxiliary sends, pre-fader routing, output processing, amplifier and loudspeaker connections, and independent performer mixes.
5. Apply microphone selection, polar-pattern knowledge, placement, monitor orientation, gain structure, equalization, and stage-volume management to maximize gain before feedback.
6. Recognize and troubleshoot common problems involving power, grounding, cabling, patching, routing, signal level, monitor outputs, feedback, and failed or incorrectly configured equipment.
7. Conduct efficient line checks and soundchecks while communicating clearly with the A1, performers, stage personnel, and other production departments.
8. Demonstrate professional A2 conduct through safe equipment handling, accurate documentation, stage etiquette, preparedness, teamwork, adaptability, and effective problem-solving under live-event conditions.

Core A2 Foundations: Student will demonstrate signal flow literacy, patching, cable types/connectors, and hands-on familiarity with troubleshooting. Understanding personal monitor mixes and how to support FOH needs.

A2 Prep and Industry Practices : Students will demonstrate safety and gear handling knowledge. Line check & soundcheck (gain staging, monitors, routing). Show flow (communication, problem solving under pressure). Strike/wrap-up (proper teardown, documentation, professionalism).

Critical Listening & Ear Training: Students will demonstrate positive applicable results of ear training assignments. Recognizing common frequency ranges, feedback, and knowledge of tonal balance. Application of listening skills to monitors and FOH mixes.

Professionalism & Industry Intrapersonal Readiness: Students will demonstrate stage etiquette. Positive demonstration of working with musicians, other production members, and client base. Demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and clear communication as an A2.

Intro to Live Sound and safety, what an A2 is, signal flow concept overview. 

Hands-on: cables, connectors, patching basics.

Week 2 – Stage prep

Intro to Stage plots, input lists, labeling.

Hands-on: building the stage: mics, DI boxes, cabling.

Week 3 – Signal flow foundation

Intro to Console orientation, routing overview.

Hands- on: Patching practices: snake → stage → console.

Week 4 – Line check

Intro to line checking, A2’s role.

Hands- on: Practical line check with a band (or multitrack playback).

Project 1

Week 5 – Routing + gain

Intro to Internal routing deeper dive (auxes, buses, groups).

Hands- on: setting gain structure properly.

Test 1

Week 6 – Monitoring intro

Intro to Wedges vs In-ears, monitor world overview.

Hands- on: Running aux mixes, personal mixers.

Week 7 – Soundcheck begins

Intro to Soundcheck flow (order, communication with band/FOH).

Hands-on running a mock soundcheck.

MidTerm Test (Test 2)

Intro to Balancing instruments, monitor vs FOH priorities.

Hands-on practice mix with playback or live group.

Intro to Feedback theory + ring-out strategies.

Hands-on: intentionally create & tame feedback.

Project 2

Intro to Parametric vs graphic EQ, surgical vs broad strokes.

Hands- on: EQ applied to monitors vs FOH.

Intro to Communication during the gig (talkback, hand signals, cues).

Hands- on: Mid-show troubleshooting drills.

Project 3

Operate an entire mock show: load-in → soundcheck → “performance.”

Hands- on: Rotate students through FOH, monitors, stage crew.

Test 3

Intro to Common problems (bad cable, dead mic, phantom issues, RF).

Hands- On: Troubleshooting timed drills.

Project 4

Intro to Multiple issue troubleshooting, under pressure.

Hands -On: Students solve real-world scenarios as teams.

Week 15 - Advanced Patching/ System Engineering Introduction

Intro to FOH system tuning (SMAART basics, pink noise, RTA). Wireless/RF coordination. Digital patching/networked audio (Dante, AVB).

Hands -On: Open Lab (Revisit material, opportunity to reinforce or introduce new concepts. 

Project 5

Week 16 

Review for Final 

Final Test 

Week 1 - Load In

Intro to Live Sound and safety, what an A2 is, signal flow concept overview. 

Hands-on: cables, connectors, patching basics.

Week 2 – Stage prep

Intro to Stage plots, input lists, labeling.

Hands-on: building the stage: mics, DI boxes, cabling.

Week 3 – Signal flow foundation

Intro to Console orientation, routing overview.

Hands- on: Patching practices: snake → stage → console.

Week 4 – Line check

Intro to line checking, A2’s role.

Hands- on: Practical line check with a band (or multitrack playback).

Project 1

Week 5 – Routing + gain

Intro to Internal routing deeper dive (auxes, buses, groups).

Hands- on: setting gain structure properly.

Test 1

Week 6 – Monitoring intro

Intro to Wedges vs In-ears, monitor world overview.

Hands- on: Running aux mixes, personal mixers.

Week 7 – Soundcheck begins

Intro to Soundcheck flow (order, communication with band/FOH).

Hands-on running a mock soundcheck.

MidTerm Test (Test 2)

Week 8 – Building the mix

Intro to Balancing instruments, monitor vs FOH priorities.

Hands-on practice mix with playback or live group.

Week 9 – Feedback control

Intro to Feedback theory + ring-out strategies.

Hands-on: intentionally create & tame feedback.

Project 2

Week 10 – EQ & tone shaping 

Intro to Parametric vs graphic EQ, surgical vs broad strokes.

Hands- on: EQ applied to monitors vs FOH.

Week 11 – Show management

Intro to Communication during the gig (talkback, hand signals, cues).

Hands- on: Mid-show troubleshooting drills.

Project 3

Week 12 – Showtime full run

Operate an entire mock show: load-in → soundcheck → “performance.”

Hands- on: Rotate students through FOH, monitors, stage crew.

Test 3

Week 13 – Troubleshooting

Intro to Common problems (bad cable, dead mic, phantom issues, RF).

Hands- On: Troubleshooting timed drills.

Project 4

Week 14 – Advanced problemsolving

Intro to Multiple issue troubleshooting, under pressure.

Hands -On: Students solve real-world scenarios as teams.

Week 15 - Advanced Patching/ System Engineering Introduction

Intro to FOH system tuning (SMAART basics, pink noise, RTA). Wireless/RF coordination. Digital patching/networked audio (Dante, AVB).

Hands -On: Open Lab (Revisit material, opportunity to reinforce or introduce new concepts. 

Project 5

Week 16 

Review for Final 

Final Test 

December 10, 2025 - 1:10 PM

Attendance 20%

Class Participation 15%

Quizzes 10%

Assignments 10%

Projects 20%

Tests 25%

Participation - 35%

Attendance - 35%

In Class quiz/test - 30%

Grades will be posted on Blackboard

You get one free absence before your late/ absences start to count against your grade in the Attendance Category. After that, each class absence deducts 5% of your attendance grade. Showing up to class late three times equals one absence. Leaving class early without a written excuse will also count against your attendance grade in the late column.

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.