Header image  
Spring Quarter 2016  
line decor
  
line decor
 
 
 
 

 
 
what we will do

This course provides a foundation in the techniques of sound design, recording, production, and editing, for digital audio media. Students will understand the physics of sound, audio and audio editing terminology, and the digital processes used to transform sound. Students will both create and record sound files, and edit and produce a variety of multimedia audio elements using typical digital technology. Applicable uses include musical entertainment products, web site enhancements, games, sound tracks for video/film, multimedia products for promotion and learning, and virtual worlds.

Students will understand what makes a professional recording sound good, what to do if it sounds bad, and how to record sound correctly and eliminate distortions and nasty room-effects.

Students will also create sounds in software, apply effects such as EQ and compression, mix multi-track recordings, and produce audio products using current digital hardware and software.

 
 

 

Required Textbook:
Audio Engineering 101, A Beginner's Guide to Music Production
by Timothy A. Dittmar

week 1
Syllabus
Assignment sheet week 1
   Original ocean storm sound
   Instructions for ocean storm
   Shiver Our Timbers dialog

Web Reading 1: Room Acoustics
Reading 2: Studio SOS Guide
Reading 3: Acoustic Treatment
Reading 4: Evaluating Headphones
PP Course intro
PP Sound intro
Animated intro to sound

week 2
Assignment sheet week 2
Example sample of assignment
Audacity tutorial virtual room
Braukmann's grading checklist

Web Reading 1:
Audio Processing EQ and reverb
Web Reading 2: Using equalization
Animated intro to digital sound
Visual notes EQ and reverb
Images of popular reverb plugins
Goulet 1 and Goulet 2

week 3
Assignment sheet week 3
1. Pops & crackles assigned
2. Waitress recording assigned
3. Cassette recording assigned
4. Interview bell assigned
Braukmann's grading checklist
Noise reduction notes
Psychoacoustics notes
EQ notes
The recording process
PP microphones and cables

week 4
Assignment sheet week 4
Web Reading 1: Shure Home Rec
Web Reading 2: Avoiding Distortion
Web Reading 3: Microphone Types
Lullaby of Birdland tracks
Radioactive tracks

Intro to digital sound
Audio file types

week 5
Assignment sheet (see Wk 4)
Braukmann's Studio One notes
PP Intro to mixing

week 5 Wednesday
Assignment sheet week 5
Braukmann's Grading Checklist
PP Mixing
PP Compressors
JB EQ Compressing Notes
Aloha Tracks
Nora Jones example mix Sunrise
Commercial example mix
Assignments 2 and 3 - pick one...
  Turn On Me unmixed sample
  Turn On Me 16 tracks 

  If You Say unmixed sample
  If You Say 16 tracks 

  Much Too Much unmixed sample
  Much Too Much 15 tracks 

Tokyo Dawn Free Plugins

 

week 6
Assignment sheet week 6
EQ and Reverb notes
PP Compressors
Ben Burtt's Starwars sounds
Intro to sound editing in film
Techical Issue in film sound
Personal project criteria

week 7
Assignment sheet week 7
Voiceover demos
Voiceover scripts
Voiceover background music pads
Voiceover on-line resource
Classical music for soundtracks
PP Music Intro
Music theory summary sheet JB
Examples
4/4 Blues E   4/4 A   3/4 Waltz
4/4 Blues syncopated   5/4 Ebm
Qwerty keyboard recording with
  Studio One
Braukmann's lecture notes from Monday

week 8
Assignment sheet week 8
Songs for assignment 3
  Wagon Wheel
  Feel a Whole Lot Better
Example workout mix
Instructions to create workout mix
Soundmap PDF Excel Example
Music cookbook notes
Qwerty keyboard recording with
  Studio One
Moody Background Music:
  Classical music   Modern music

PP Sound design
PP Music design
PP Sound In film technical details

week 9 - 10
Assignment sheet week 9
John Henry narration MP3 WAV
You Can't Get Out narration
Notes on audio file formats
PP DAW plugins

Web Reading 1: Mastering SLab
Web Reading 2: Mastering RMag
Mastering and publishing notes
Sample recording log sheet

We will have a quiz on Wednesday, June 1 on the study questions from week 9.

We will also have an optional quiz on Wednesday, reviewing topics from the quarter. If you decide to take this quiz, it will replace your previous lowest quiz score. Here is a copy of the questions that will be on the optional quiz.


We will not have a final exam in this class. Your individual projects will be due on Friday, June 3th.

All assignments must be turned in by 9:00 pm on June 3. The FTP password will be changed on June 4. If you need to get a copy of some of your files after that date, simply use the student folders link and right-click on the file you want.