Course Title: Create a final sound balance

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2007

Course Code: EMPL9695C

Course Title: Create a final sound balance

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5168 - Diploma of Music Industry (Technical Production)

Course Contact : John Phillips

Course Contact Phone: 9925 4268

Course Contact Email:john.phillips@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 76

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

none

Course Description

This involves the following key elements.
• A historical view of recording
• The concept of vision and its application to audio
• Synchronisation
• Location Recording
• Digital editing of multi-track recordings
• Post Production
• Surround Sound
• Mixing for various mediums
• Mastering

This course looks at creating a final sound balance, the mix-down.
It also focusses on mxing down for surround, for cinema and DVD, as well as other surround sound mediums.
Delivery is a combination of lectures, audio workstation lab excercises, and studio mixing projects.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSSOU15A Create a final sound balance

Element:

Assess sound sources for simultaneous balance

Performance Criteria:

1.2 Discuss the creative possibilities for achieving the balance with
relevant personnel
1.3 Propose options to meet the requirements of the production to
relevant personnel as appropriate
1.4 Collaborate effectively with others during the assessment and
agreement process

Element:

Complete documentation and other requirements

Performance Criteria:

4.2 Apply critical listening throughout production to ensure that
sound quality meets production requirements
4.3 Collaborate with and inform relevant personnel of artistic or
production issues where necessary
4.4 Ensure that the working environment is cleaned and readied for
the next user

Element:

Create final sound balance

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Ensure that the relative levels of sound sources conform to
loudness parameters
3.2 Ensure that transitions between sound sources are technically
accurate and artistically appropriate for the required sound
3.3 Adapt and adjust balance techniques to meet the requirements of
the production
3.4 Confirm that the sound balance is artistically and technically
appropriate for the intended use of the product
3.5 Identify and remedy problems promptly as required to minimise
disruption to the production process
3.6 Ensure that the level of the composite signal is within technical
limits and the desired dynamic range
3.7 Work sensitively and constructively with relevant personnel to
achieve best production outcomes
3.8 Create the sound balance within production requirements

Element:

Identify creative and artistic possibilities

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Explore the creative possibilities of the sound sources and makerecommendations to, or seek agreement with, the appropriate
personnel on options
2.2 Liaise with appropriate personnel to ensure that the position and
blend of the sound sources achieves the required artistic/creative
effect


Learning Outcomes


not applicable


Details of Learning Activities

Learing activities include:

*    Classroom lectures
*    Audio (and video) demonstrations
*    Structured practical demonstrations
*    Practical excercises on audio applications
*    Practical classroom exercises
*    Practical mixdown excercises in recording studio
*    Project work competed by students throughout the semester
*    Working with students from other areas
*    Work undertaken outside school
  
 


Teaching Schedule

SEMESTER 1:
Delivery in semester 1 is in classroom lectures, with practical excercises undertaken in audio workstation labs (as well as outside).
Weekly timetable below.

SEMESTER 2:
Delivery in semester 2 is primarily in the recording studio, working on surround mixing projects.
Labs will also be available for project work, as well as being able to work outside.
 

WEEK LECTURE PROJECT  
       
1  Orientation week
    
2  Mixing & Pro-Tools session revision / Polishing the T.   Pro-Tools exercise
  
3  History of film sound   Video in audio apps exercise
  
4  Surround sound formats  for Cinema & DVD   Music Mixdown assessment 1
  
5  Advanced Logic Pro 1 - Remixing A   Music Mixdown assessment 1
  
6  Re-mixing in Pro-Tools
 Mixing v Re-mixing v Production		   Re-mix exercise
  
7  Music for film   Sound Effects editing project
  
8  Location recording and SFX editing   Sound Effects editing project  
9  Mixing in surround
 5.1 demonstration		   Sound Effects editing project  
10  Dialogue recording & editing
 Logic Pro advanced 2		   Re-Mix project / Assessment
  
11  Surround mixing in Pro-Tools   Re-Mix project / Assessment  
12  Surround sound prac exercise (in Studio)   Re-Mix project / Assessment  
13  Guest Lecture
 Mix review		   Dialogue & Sound Effects recording & editing project
  
14  Mastering
 Bass Management		   Dialogue & Sound Effects recording & editing project  
15  Surround sound practical assessment (in studio)   Sound Effects and Music project
  
16  AC-3 authoring
 Dolby & DTS revision		   Sound Effects and Music project
 
17  Written & multiple choice Examination   Sound Effects and Music project  
18  Guest Lecture
 Prep for Semester 2 studio projects		   Sound Effects and Music project  
       

Lesson outline is subject to change without notice.
Changes will consist of re-arrangement of subject order, and will be available via online course support address listed below.
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Resource Links
 
http://arts.ucsc.edu/ems/music/equipment/video/smpte/SMPTE.html
http://www.mtsu.edu/~smpte/table.html
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/students/handbook/recording1.jhtml?id=0.1.4.9.6&lc=en
http://www.acmi.net.au/
http://dvdownunder.com.au/news/articles/cds_info.htm
http://history.acusd.edu/gen/recording/motionpicture1.html

Suggested Reading:
Audio in Media – Stanley R. Alten. (ideally 7th edition or later)
Mastering; The art & the science – Bob Katz


Overview of Assessment

Assessment  for this course is primarily undertaken through the following:
1- Class based practical exercises/assessments
2- Project work undertaken both in the studio and edit suites for submission
3- Written examination
4- Evaluation of practical portfolio & written submissions

Students will aquaint themselves with the skills necessary to undertake music and sound for film mixdowns, in stereo and surround.


Assessment Tasks


ASSESSMENT NUMBER
 ASESSMENT                                        
WEIGHTING         



1
 Pro-Tools session & mixdown 15%
2
 Pro-Tools surround session 15%
3
 Song Re-mix production 25%
4
 Written & Multiple Choice Exam 20%
5
 Surround Music Mix-Down 25%




Assessment Matrix

not applicable

Other Information

Delivery of this course is closely allied to the courses DEVELOP SOUND DESIGN (semester 1) and IMPLEMENT SOUND DESIGN (semester 2).
 
This course uses an online support and access point.
Course delivery tools are accessed through this online subject presence at:
www.freewebs.com/scuzzy_head
The course delivery is based in classroom & labs in semester 1, and in Studio 3.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview