Make it.Audio Engineering + Sound Production

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the concept of sound by exploring the behaviour of sound waves, their methods of generation and propagation, as well as their units and parameters. Decibel theory will be explored and measurements taken to allow calculations to be performed, leading to an understanding of the practical application of this knowledge, fundamental to understanding theory concepts presented in future units. Also examined is the ear and the hearing process as well as how to protect hearing from damage. Psychoacoustics and human perception of sound will also be investigated as part of this unit, leading to an introduction to architectural acoustics. This unit enables the student to understand the nature of sound and its physical properties. By understanding sound, students can start to appreciate the methods by which sound can be captured and manipulated. This will form the basis of the student’s knowledge of the physics of sound and increase their comprehension of advanced concepts in future units of study.

This unit provides fundamental concepts for all practicum-based units throughout the degree. It involves a practical introduction to software based recording systems with an emphasis on editing, arranging and mixing using a digital audio workstation (DAW). Students learn about the fundamental hardware and software components in the mixing chain of audio production as well as the function an audio engineer plays in preparing and completing a mix. This unit also covers an introduction to signal processing in the context of plugin based digital signal processing in the form of equalisation, dynamics processing and time modification effects.

This unit covers considerations in acoustic design for various environments and situations where sound control is an issue. Acoustic problems such as flutter echo, excess reverberation and strategies for controlling these are also explored and discussed. Control room design philosophies and specialised construction techniques are also examined. This will allow students to evaluate studio designs and performance spaces from a knowledgeable point of view.

Acoustic Design also introduces students to a possible area of specialisation for their professional practice. Acousticians work with building developers, councils, venue owners and many other businesses and organisations on a range of tasks concerned with the beneficial treatment of sound indoors.

This unit enables the student to recognise and evaluate various design principles of acoustic environments. This will enable the students to make better recordings and mixes in their practical units. Students will develop an appreciation of the acoustic design factors and construction techniques involved in recording studios and performance spaces.

This unit develops the student’s conceptual knowledge and technical skills in recording, mixing and editing and requires them to apply these skills to the whole-of-campus production activities undertaken during Integration I.

Integration I is a whole of campus collaborative project that may involve students from any of the other course disciplines. For example, Entertainment Business Management students may establish and manage projects involving the live and studio recording of their “clients’” (students’) music by the Audio Engineering students. This may lead to the production of a music video clip or ‘live’ clip by the Film and Television students.

This unit contributes to the degree by enabling students to put into practice all the knowledge they have gained from previous units into a range of production projects. At this stage, students work with producers from industry to mix, master and produce. This contributes to their developing professional practice. Integration I is the audio engineering student’s opportunity to contribute their creativity and problem solving skills to a real world production activity.

This unit broadens the student’s skill set in a variety of practical areas relevant to the recording engineer and producer. Students will plan and undertake the recording of an acoustic ensemble, outside the confines of the traditional recording studio, encouraging the development of acoustic analysis, critical listening and problem solving skills. Students also explore and develop skills in the field of Digital Sequencing and electronic music production and learn how to solder correctly and take accurate electronic measurements for maintenance and electronic construction projects.

These projects will contribute to student showreels, and demonstrate their ability to undertake further demanding production work in the forthcoming trimesters.

Music and audio production continues to develop as an electronic medium, and via purely electronic means. This unit focuses on computer based audio and music production technologies. It develops awareness and skills in audio compression and delivery formats for various multimedia contexts including web and integrated media as well as developing professional audio resources for educational instruction. It continues to develop electronic music production skills via MIDI and audio DAW software.

This unit contributes to the degree by introducing students to an area of specialisation for their professional practice. It provides a theoretical and practical framework for maintaining appropriate skills in technology driven and fast changing work practices.

This unit will introduce the student to MIDI and virtual music systems, synthesis and music programming/editing. It will explain the principles and functions of MIDI and the development and application of various synthesisers and audio manipulation processes.

This unit enables students to understand the workings of a MIDI system, sound synthesis and sound design and music programming with sequencers. The knowledge will be used in subsequent studio recording projects and will familiarise students with equipment they are likely to meet in a professional studio environment. The knowledge, skills and understanding achieved in this unit will enable students to explore a possible specialisation for your professional practice.

The purpose of this unit is to provide the student with an opportunity to apply basic recording and mixing concepts to a full band-recording project.

This unit builds on many of the concepts studied in the first studio unit. It involves a practical approach to recording and mixing using a combination of digital and analogue recording equipment. Students will record a full band including a drum kit using multi-microphone techniques and then overdub other instruments to a digital audio workstation (DAW). In addition, students will complete a stereo mix from the DAW to be suitable for a ‘red book’ audio compact disc.

This unit provides students with real life practical experience and an understanding of the demands of working with musicians and organizing a recording session. Completing this unit gives the student skills in dealing with larger musical groups. This studio unit is a fundamental component of the degree, as it gives the student access to a variety of analogue and digital studio recording equipment to develop both microphone and mixing skills and knowledge, relevant to their professional practice.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to address the installation of sound reproduction systems in auditoria and for large outdoor events. Students are required to design a substantial live sound system and present a proposal and costing.

This unit will expose students to another area of specialisation and therefore enhance their potential for establishing and sustaining professional practice opportunities.

The knowledge, skills and understanding achieved in this unit will enable students to appreciate the role of a system designer and also work more effectively with large scale PA systems.

The purpose of this unit is to provide the opportunity to creatively experiment with the student’s audio engineering and sound production craft in preparation for their final showreel. Students will also be introduced to the concepts of surround sound for music applications.

This unit will enable students to further develop their creative and technical skills in audio engineering and sound production with an overall emphasis on project management.

The understanding and skills acquired through a collaborative process will enhance personal practice and networking abilities in preparation of building a level of expertise valued in the industry.

This unit will provide students with the opportunity to develop recording techniques in areas of distinct speciality, increasing their potential to establish a sustainable professional practice.

Students will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and prepare audio for a complete high quality soundtrack mix catering to film and television mediums.

This unit provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate the level of technical and artistic competence reached across six trimesters of training and practice. Students will be required to demonstrate their readiness for professional practice by negotiating, proposing and completing a set of group based projects with individual mixes, creating a folio and defending the technical and aesthetic processes. Effective maintenance of a reflective journal is considered essential to this unit.

This unit gives students the opportunity to refine their creative audio engineering and sound production expertise in the context of surround sound, and also provides opportunity for integration with the Music, Animation, Games, Film and Television, Entertainment Business Management or Digital Design departments.

The production of high quality, diverse work produced will enable students to build a showreel.