Course Title: Develop sound designs
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: VART6416C
Course Title: Develop sound designs
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6150 - Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production)
Course Contact: Rebekha Naim
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4849
Course Contact Email: rebekha.naim@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher;
John Phillips
john.phillips@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 50
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 unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an overall sound design from production briefs.
It applies to individuals with a good understanding of the physical nature of sound, along with research and creative thinking skills. They collaborate with other creative personnel to develop the overall sound or musical identity of a wide range productions.
The course will cover building blocks for sound design for screen based media and other sound design applications.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUASOU503 Develop sound designs |
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Element: |
1. Interpret and confirm sound design brief |
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Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Participate in concept meetings with relevant people to discuss and determine creative and technical sound requirements for a production 1.2 Confirm sound requirements meet the overall production requirements in liaison with relevant people 1.3 Identify and confirm any additional sound design team members required to fulfil the brief |
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Element: |
2. Break down components of sound design brief |
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Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify types of sounds required, and determine content, quality and duration of each sound component 2.2 Determine and document resource and creative requirements for each sound component 2.3 Document and confirm roles of sound design team members |
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Element: |
3. Experiment with sound components to express ideas |
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Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Encourage and motivate sound design team members to generate ideas 3.2 Generate, explore and record a range of ideas and options to serve as a creative base for developing the required sound design 3.3 Select ideas with the most potential for technical and creative development of the required sound design |
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Element: |
4. Assess creative ideas |
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Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Evaluate selected ideas in terms of their viability, cost, technical feasibility and suitability to meet requirements of sound design brief 4.2 Select final ideas for the components of the sound design, based on what is needed to meet the overall requirements of the brief |
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Element: |
5. Design sound elements |
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Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Develop sound design concept, taking into consideration the brief and the ideas generated by the sound design team 5.2 Determine sound components required to implement sound design in line with creative and technical requirements 5.3 Establish clear relationship between sound components and objectives of sound design 5.4 Liaise with relevant people to incorporate additional requirements and ideas to achieve best sound design 5.5 Present sound design in required format to convey design concept 5.6 Confirm final sound design concept is consistent with brief and that potential difficulties are addressed |
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Element: |
6. Evaluate final sound design |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to record, develop, design and mixdown sound effects from development to final implementation. You will be able to create synthesiser patches, set up and utilise various microphone techniques and record in outdoor environments using field recording techniques.
Details of Learning Activities
Welcome to VART6416C, Develop Sound Designs. Over the 16 weeks of semester 1, we will explore and develop the skills and knowledge required to develop an overall sound design for screen-based media from production briefs.
It applies to individuals with a good understanding of the physical nature of sound, along with research and creative thinking skills. They collaborate with other creative personnel to develop the overall sound or musical identity of a wide range productions.
The course will cover building blocks for sound design for screen-based media and other sound design applications.
Teaching Schedule
Weekly Lesson plan
WEEK |
CONTENT |
PRACS |
Location |
ASSESSMENTS COMMENCE |
ASSESSMENTS DUE |
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Week 1 |
Introduction to unit & assessments |
LAB |
Assessment 1 Commences |
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The Sound Designers |
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Cinema Sound / Surround Sound |
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LOGIC PRO |
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Week 2 |
Surround Sound Formats |
OMF PRAC |
LAB |
Assessment 0 |
Assessment 0 |
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Pro Tools I/O |
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OMF & AAF |
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FCP > OMF > LOGIC / PRO TOOLS - ASSESSMENT 0 |
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Week 3 |
Surround Sound in Pro-Tools |
STUDIO |
STUDIO |
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Pro Tools I/O |
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Class will be divided into two groups for this session |
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Week 4 |
LOGIC PRO |
LAB |
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Sound Design strategies |
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Sound Design / roles in film sound production |
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ADR / Foley |
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Week 5 |
GUEST LECTURE |
LAB |
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David Chackman |
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Location Recording |
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Week 6 |
LOGIC PRO |
LAB |
Assessment 2 Commences |
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ASSESSMENT 3 COMMENCES |
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Bass Management / Matrix v Discrete / File Management |
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Week 7 |
GUEST LECTURE |
LAB |
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David Chackman |
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Location Recording |
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Week 8 |
LOGIC PRO |
LAB |
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Logic Pro / Pro Tools / Adobe Premiere |
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Week 9 |
LOGIC PRO |
LAB |
Assessment 3 Commences |
Assessment 1 Due |
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Review of MIP requirements |
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FCP > OMF > LOGIC / PRO TOOLS - ASSESSMENT 3 |
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Week 10 |
GUEST LECTURE |
LAB |
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David Chackman |
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Location Recording |
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Week 11 |
STUDIO |
Assessment 4 Commences |
Assessment 3 Due |
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Assessment 4 - Analog Recording Project |
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Week 12 |
STUDIO |
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Assessment 4 - Analog Recording Project |
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Week 13 |
LAB |
Assessment 4 Due |
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GUEST LECTURE |
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GUEST LECTURE - Cameron Mckenzie |
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Nathanael Bates |
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Week 14 |
LAB |
Assessment 2 Due |
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ASSESSMENT 2 DUE |
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FINAL REVIEW |
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Week 15 |
LAB |
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Assessment and Review |
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Week 16 |
LAB |
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Assessment and Review |
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Headphones and data storage required
Overview of Assessment
Students will be able to create, record and produce original sound effects from scratch using advanced synthesis techniques and basic microphone and field recording techniques.
Assessment Tasks
Task Number |
1 of 5 |
Task Name |
OMF |
National unit/s code |
CUASOU503 |
National unit/s title |
Develop Sound Designs |
National qualification code |
CUA60515 |
National qualification title |
Advanced Diploma of Music Industry |
RMIT Program code |
C6150 |
RMIT Course code |
VART6416C |
About the assignment
Open Media Format (OMF) file transfer - in class assignment
Tasks to complete:
- Download Adobe Premiere session from the link provided below (this will be live in week of assessment)
- Download Logic Music file from link provided below (this will be live in week of assessment)
- Open Adobe Premiere
- Open supplied session
- Export OMF fromAdobe Premiere
- Export Quicktime movie from Adobe Premiere
- Quit FCP
- Open Logic Pro
- Open supplied session
- Insert small (~3 seconds) blank regions @ start (zero) of all tracks
- Consolidate all tracks
- Export all tracks as audio files
- Quit Logic Pro
- Open Pro Tools
- Import OMF file created earlier
- Import Quicktime file created earlier
- Import music tracks as audio files
- Mix & bounce Quicktime file
- Ensure file contains video and both music & SFX audio
- Upload video bounce to Canvas assessment submission.
Assessment #2
Task Number |
2 of 5 |
Task Name |
Genre Remix |
National unit/s code |
CUASOU503 |
National unit/s title |
Develop Sound Designs |
National qualification code |
CUA60515 |
National qualification title |
Advanced Diploma of Music Industry |
RMIT Program code |
C6150 |
RMIT Course code |
VART6416C |
Section A – Assessment Information
Assessment duration and/or due date |
Assessment Commences Week 1, and is due week 9 of class. |
Task instructions | |
Summary and Purpose of Assessment This assessment is one of the four Sound Design projects required to demonstrate competence against the unit. Each Sound Design assessment focusses on specific Sound Design skills or knowledge. This assessment looks at developing your skills in realising client brief requirements, as well as developing a suitable range of research skills. It will allow you to adapt to culturally unfamiliar requirements, and allow you to collaborate with others to reach your final goal.
Assessment Instructions For this assessment you will undertake a song remix of a supplied song. You will be supplied with the completed video, and the separate audio tracks for the song as individual audio stems. Files are stored online in Google folders, and links are supplied in the relevant Canvas shell. You will also be supplied with a choice of two (2) randomly assigned musical Genres. You must then choose to remix the song to ONE (1) of the two supplied genres, and indicate your choice in the online list provided through Canvas. You will be required to rework the song according to the following specific requirements:
What The final submission is a bounced audio file of your final submission. However within this, it must demonstrate that you have addressed all “Client Brief” requirements. Note that these requirements also make up the basis of the final marking rubric. Please look at the rubric for details, and note that like all client submissions, timely submissions and file management conventions are essential.
Whilst compressed files are permissible, please check compressed file before sending.We advise avoiding low bit rates etc as it will degrade audio quality. Aliasing issues and other will be considered part of submission.
Where You will have dedicated time in the computer labs to complete this project, however we encourage you to utilise RMIT facilities outside of class time, utilise DAW equipment you can access outside of the university, and collaborate with others.
How Please review the Assessment Rubric, located in the Canvas shell for details on the assessment.
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Conditions for assessment | |
· Your completed and submitted file will evidence your ability to realise assessment requirements · You must submit the assessment file to Canvas as directed · This is an individual task that you must complete. However seeking advice and assistance from others is appropriate for the collaborative nature of the assessment criteria. In any case remember you are responsible for your submission · Please make arrangements with your assessor at least one week prior to the assessment due date if you feel you require special allowance or allowable adjustment to this task · Your submitted assessment file should address all assessment requirements, listed in the assessment rubric, including timely submission, correct file considerations and naming conventions · You will be assessed and graded according to the marking rubric
You can appeal the assessment decision according to the RMIT Assessment Processes (Links to an external site.) | |
Equipment/resources students must supply (if applicable): |
Equipment/resources to be provided by RMIT or the workplace (if applicable): |
· You will need access to a DAW system of your choice · You may choose to engage in other acoustic / electronic instruments of your choice, and recording facilities if required. · You will need to ensure you have internet access for research, file exchange and assessment submission · Ensure you have backup drives to backup media, and also utilise online “cloud” storage for backup
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Onsite computers with Pro Tools, Logic Pro & Ableton Live DAW software installed
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Edit Manage
Assessment #3
Unit name: Develop Sound Designs | |
Unit national code: CUSSOU503 | |
Unit RMIT code: VART 6416c | |
Name of Assessment Task: ADR / Foley assessment (Idiot Box) |
Number of Assessment Task: #3 of 5 |
Week assigned: 6 | |
Week due: Week 14 | |
Summary of assessment | |
ADR & Foley project | |
Details of assessment | |
Retain Copies of all Documents Graded Assessment Individual and Group assessment Assignment Brief You will provide the entire audio soundtrack for a short segment of a commercial release film. You will provide all sound effects (atmosphere & synchronised), as well as dialogue recording (ADR). You will be provided with a script detailing required sound effects and dialogue. This document will be supported by a face-to-face in class client briefing, and assessment criteria is laid out in assessment rubrics below. Assessment Criteria You will be assessed individually on the basis of:
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Assessment submission | |
Please submit the following for assessment: Assignment Deliverables
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Criteria for assessment | |
You will be assessed on the following criteria: Assessment Tasks Part 1 - GROUP
Part 2 - INDIVIDUALStudents will then INDIVIDUALLY compile, edit, synchronise & mix recorded audio to the film segment. These tasks will be conducted individually in the audio lab (or similar workspace). Each student will use sounds they were involved in the recording of, and ONLY those sounds may be used in the score. Evidence of other audio being used in finished soundtrack will mean failure of this assessment. See marking rubric for details |
Assessment #4
Task Number4 |
4 of 5 |
Task Name |
Review |
National unit/s code |
CUASOU503 |
National unit/s title |
Develop Sound Designs |
National qualification code |
CUA60515 |
National qualification title |
Advanced Diploma of Music Industry |
RMIT Program code |
C6150 |
RMIT Course code |
VART6416C |
About the assignment
You will complete a review questinnaire
To complete the assessment, upload your completed questionnaire to Canvas
QUESTIONS:
Describe the production requirements that may impact on sound designs |
Describe the information that is typically found in sound design briefs |
Explain the formats that could be used to present design concepts |
Describe techniques for developing ideas and enhancing innovation |
Describe techniques for evaluating sound designs |
Explain the issues and challenges that typically arise when developing sound designs, and how to address them. |
Assessment 5 - Analog Sound Design Group Project
NUMBER OF ASSESSMENT TASK: 5 of 5 | NAME OF ASSESSMENT TASK: ANALOG SOUND DESIGN |
NATIONAL UNIT(S) CODE: CUSSOU503 | NATIONAL UNIT(S) TITLE: DEVELOP SOUND DESIGNS |
NATIONAL QUALIFICATION CODE: | NATIONAL QUALIFICATION TITLE: CUA60515 |
RMIT PROGRAM CODE: C6150 | RMIT COURSE CODE: VART6416C |
DURATION AND/OR DUE DATE: | This assessment will be completed during studio sessions on either week 11, 12 or 13 of semester, and you will have 2 hours to demonstrate the requirements as listed. This assessment is a group collaboration assessment. |
Summary and purpose of assessment
You will be required to complete a 5 minute (approximately) sound design piece within 8 hours (2 x 4 hours) in a supplied studio location (94.1.2), using specific supplied audio equipment (listed below).
You will work in a small group of three or four students. Please make sure you are assigned to a work group via this online document:
Assessment Matrix
Assessment matrices are stored centrally and are available by contacting program administration
Other Information
N/A
Course Overview: Access Course Overview