(Weeks 1 and 2)
Reading assignments: SDFIM: Read/Review Chapter 1 Interference and Read/Review Chapter 2 all MIH: Choosing a Monitor p77 Reading documents: Nearfield monitor article Quiz topics: Pros and cons of three main mic types (dynamic, condenser or capacitor, ribbon - What is meant by omni, cardiod, super cardioid, figure 8 patterns? - What do we need from a monitor speaker? - How do speakers interact with rooms? - Terms: frequency response, time alignment, harmonic distortion, active vs. passive crossovers, phantom power - What is phase cancellation? - What is meant by “out of phase”?- What is the comb effect? - What is pink noise? White noise? - How does a RTA help?
(Week 3) Tuesday April 14
Thursday April 16
Topic: Mixing last week's recordings
Assignment: Produce Brian Kamp's VO demo with eight examples including music.
Assignment: Read 1. (Links) Stereo Michrophone Techniques by Bartlett, Stereo Microphone Techniques by Johns, Session Procedures by Bartlett 2. In the Mixing Engineer's Handbook: Compression and Gating pp 52-59
Topic: Stereo miking techniques
Quiz on reading: stereo miking techniques, compression and gating
Assignment: Basic imaging exercise. Example of imaged sounds coming from four directions, 20 degress from left and right, and 20 degrees left and right of center. Use any monaural sound file and create the stereo images using relative levels and slight timing delays. Also try reducing the high frequencys of the channel on the "away" side. Result: one stereo file about 30 seconds.
Due: Jonathan and Aaron: Braukmann's three VO examples with music
(Week 4) Tuesday April 21
Thursday April 23
Topic: Live recording session at the Music Department from 3-5
Due from all: Brian Kamp's VO file with eight examples without music
Topic: Live recording session at the Music Department from 3-5
Assignment: Read Sonnenschein, David: Sound Design, Chapter 1
Due from all: Brian Kamp's VO file with eight examples with music
(Week 5) Tuesday April 28
Thursday April 30
Topic: Sound Design for Film Project Introduction
Activity: Meet the directors - Create a list of what needs to be done.
Due from all: Example of imaged sounds. (April 16th assignment)
Topic: Final Cut Pro Software Introduction +Sound Design Discussion + Listening to the imaging mixes, and Brian Kamp mixes.
Handouts: The Sound Design Process - Technical Notes for Sound Editing for Film - Blank Sound Map PDF - Blank Sound Map Excel
Activity: Gather sound resources for sound design project.
Due: Mozart Piano Mix. Please submit two versions. First a "classic" version as close to this example as possible. Second a mix that you like even better. Here is a link to the original Tracktion files.
(Week 6) Tuesday May 5
Thursday May 7
Topic: Sound Design Project + Listening to the piano mixes.
In Class activity: Work with John Demke on Soundtrack
Click this link and view the Sountrack Pro introduction tutorial - Here are notes on Final Cut Studio
Review questions for a short quiz based on handouts and reading
Due: Brass Trio Mix. Please submit two versions. First a "classic" version as close to this example as possible. Second a mix that you like even better. Here is a link to the original Tracktion files.
Topic: Multitrack sessions 1- MIDI and Drums
Here are
Short quiz on sound design today
(Week 7) Tuesday May 12
Thursday May 14
Topic: Multitrack sessions 2- Bass and pad (keyboard)
Due: Sound Design Sound Map
Due: Final Project Proposal, Scope of Work. Propose your major and minor project for approval.
(Week 8) Tuesday May 19
Thursday May 21
Activity: Mixing Take Five
Activity: Discussing sound design for film. Reviewing mixing. Listening to leitmotif and sound effect examples.
Due: Update the instructor on your film project progress.
(Week 9) Tuesday May 26
Thursday May 28
Activity: Live recording the brass band in a quieter room
Due: Multitrack Mix. Submit two versions as mp3s. First as Brubeck recorded it at Columbia Studios. Second as something you like even better.
Topics: MIDI technology, DAW plugins, alternative file formats.
Quiz on mixing handout and on sound design for film handout, as discussed in class.
(Week 10) Tuesday June 2
Thursday June 4
Due: Brass bandsecond session mix.
Activity: Presentation and critique of final projects. Due: Present your sound design project to class - Submiit the director's summary, your sound map, and an outline of points made in your presentation to the class.
Due: Final Projects.
Final Exam: Tuesday June 9, at 3.
Topics include all handouts discussed in class, including -MIDI and Plugins and Optimization, -Mastering Hardware and Processes, Mixing, Sound Design for film, -The Sound Design Process, -Technical Notes for Sound Editing for Film, -Introductory Notes on Final Cut Studio, -Nearfield monitor Article, -Stereo Michrophone Techniques by Bartlett, -Stereo Microphone Techniques by Johns, -Session Procedures by Bartlett 2.
You will also be asked to edit sample files during this test. You can bring your own computer with DAW, or use Tracktion in the lab to demonstrate your ability to: set up an auxilliary reverb system, coordinate reverb time and delay time to the tempo of the recording, Adjust tracks to keep them from clashing or masking each other, cut, paste, cross fade, set appropriate EQ, set pan, set up a light compression, import a MIDI or PCM track, set up a software instrument, set up an automation, and achieve a mixed output level that is robust but has no clipping.