Audio Engineering & Production/DJ Arts Diploma Program

Program Overview

This comprehensive audio engineering program provides a solid foundation in music theory, sound recording techniques, and digital audio production. Students gain hands-on experience in multitrack recording, sound design, and film and television audio, preparing them for careers in the music and entertainment industries. The program emphasizes practical applications, industry-standard software, and real-world project completion, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the field.

Program Outline

Outline:

Term 1

• Songwriting: Introduction to the process of writing lyrics and setting them to music, covering both creative and commercial aspects.
• Music Fundamentals: Basic principles of music, including tempo, rhythm, chords, and pitch.
• Introduction to MIDI (Sound Design): Fundamentals of MIDI and its importance in recording studios, covering MIDI sequencers and music creation using synthesizers, samplers, and computers.
• Audio for Film and Television I: Principles and techniques for capturing and creating sound in film and television, including tools used in both studio and location recording.
• Introduction to Digital Audio: Digitizing audio waveforms for use in digital audio workstations, addressing transmission methods, concepts, and theories.
• Sound and Recording Techniques I: Basic principles of recording sound, including types of recording media and technology used in the recording process.
• Multitrack Recording Techniques I: Hands-on examination of theoretical and technical concepts of sound engineering and recording, focusing on multitrack recording techniques.
• Practical Studio Applications: Reinforcement and elaboration on theory, techniques, and applications of audio engineering and production in the studio, providing an overview of the industry.
• Studio Technologies: Theoretical and practical concepts related to technology in the studio, such as electricity, electronics, basic wiring, and related problems.

Term 2

• Advanced Music Fundamentals: Advanced music theory and auditory notation, exploring the impact of rhythm, melody, harmony, and time signatures on listeners.
• Advanced MIDI (Sound Design): Accelerated study of MIDI, focusing on sampler/synthesizer operation in tandem with sequencers.
• Audio for Film and Television II: All aspects of film audio, including sound recording on set and considerations for post-production, using films to illustrate sound effects gathering and sound design.
• Advanced Digital Audio: Creating a commercial and a radio play using Pro Tools, reflecting skills in recording, editing, and mixing.
• Sound and Recording Techniques II: Detailed examination of theoretical and technical concepts of sound engineering and recording.
• Multitrack Recording Techniques II: Hands-on studio lab reinforcing proper miking technique and the process of recording artists with initial takes and overdubs.
• DJ Arts: Introduction to theoretical and practical concepts related to a career as a producer and DJ, covering the role of producers and DJs in the music and entertainment industry.
• Critical Listening Techniques: Exploration of the art of listening, examining theoretical and technical underpinnings of sound, the recording process, the listening environment, and the role of listening in the mixing process.
• Principals of Sound and Acoustics I: Introduction to theoretical and practical concepts related to audio perception, audio physics, and audio treatments, focusing on scientific properties of sound waves and discussion of audio phenomena like timbre, reverberation, and psychoacoustics.
• Studio Maintenance and Repairs I: Methodology and instruments used in the design and upkeep of electrical components found within a recording facility, providing practical insight into the care and maintenance of studio equipment.

Term 3

• Recorded Music Production: History of recorded music production, structure and breakdown of modern popular music, recording techniques, and marketplace opportunities for production.
• Audio for Film and Television III: Critical evaluation and deconstruction of soundtracks to understand nuances and complexity of audio, exploring audio signal flow, troubleshooting, and achieving high sound quality.
• Multitrack Recording Techniques III: Hands-on examination of theoretical and technical concepts of sound engineering and recording, building on previous multitrack recording courses.
• Live Sound Production: Design and installation of sound systems, effective communication with clients and industry professionals, adaptation to any area of live sound reinforcement, and efficient troubleshooting.
• Acoustics: Fundamental understanding of studio acoustics, theory, and applications in various production environments, focusing on developing a template for designing a small to medium recording facility.
• Soundtrack for Film and Television I: Detailed examination of theoretical and technical concepts of post-audio for film and video, with a final assignment and mid-term workshop that can be used to assemble demo reels.
• Orchestration: Traditional and non-traditional methods of scoring music for film and television, exploring the psychological and emotional impacts of music on audiences.
• Studio Production Techniques: Studio floor setup, microphone selection and applications, and control room signal routing, preparing students for actual recording projects requiring modern recording techniques.
• Music Industry Overview: Structural overview of the music/recording industry, exploring relationships between different types of organizations and elements such as copyright law, contractual relationships, and ethics.
• Mixing and Mastering Techniques: Mixing-oriented balancing, equalization, dynamics, and effects processing tasks, with assignments involving mixing songs with authentic instrumentation and MIDI instrumentation, and learning the theory and practical application of mastering.

Term 4

• Final MIDI Project Completion: Real-world job scenario requiring completion of a project according to industry standards using knowledge from prior MIDI classes.
• Soundtrack for Film and Television II: Theoretical and technical concepts of post-audio for film and video, with a final assignment and workshop that can be used to assemble demo reels.
• Final Studio Production Project Completion: Guidance through final production steps of recording and mixing assignments, finalizing audio mixes for demo reels.
• Studio Maintenance and Repairs II: Hands-on approach to techniques involved in the maintenance of everyday studio equipment, providing an understanding of how to repair commonly used studio items.
• Mixing and Mastering Final Project Completion: Delivering a project on time and to client specifications, working within team environments, and transferring recorded projects from an offsite studio to apply accumulated knowledge to complete a final project.

Careers:

• Audio content creator (radio)
• Audio visual technician
• Boom operator/location sound
• DJ
• Foley artist
• Installation technician
• Live recording mixer
• Live sound technician
• Music composer/arranger
• Music producer
• Music session player
• Post audio editor
• Recording engineer
• Sound editor
• Studio assistant/manager
• Theatre technician