Audio Production

Course Structure

1. [\'This module will develop advanced sound recording, editing and processing techniques as well as audio production, sound design and audio post production, both within a group and in an individual context. This module covers the tools and techniques used in the audio post production process and how to apply these skills in an original and creative way by developing the advanced skills and techniques needed for sound design, dialogue editing, ADR (automatic dialogue replacement) and Foley work. You will also develop a systematic understanding of mixing for 5.1 surround and to apply these in an original and creative way and be able to develop mastering techniques in stereo and 5.1. On completion you should have the skills and techniques needed to produce broadcast-standard output.\', \'You will learn a range of research techniques appropriate to audio, acoustics and video and the relationship between research questions, research methods and analysis techniques. This will help prepare you for writing your dissertation. Additionally, this module will enable you to gain a systematic understanding of, and an ability to critically evaluate likely future developments in media, in both a technical and commercial context. Topics covered include: social media, cultural impacts and drivers; consumer markets, digital identity; ethics, privacy, copyright, licensing; content creation, sharing and reuse; digital rights management. This module includes practice-based research techniques as part of your learning.\', \'You will learn the acoustics of sound propagation in enclosed spaces. You will learn how to design methods of treating such spaces to achieve a desired acoustic result and the limitations of those methods. You will learn how to control the noise isolation of these spaces and the technologies used to realise both noise control and a desired acoustic. A walk-through of an existing studio design and its implementation, that was done by your lecturer, will tie all these strands together so that you can understand the acoustics, engineering and management required in the successful design of both control rooms and other creative audio environments. In spatial audio, the spatial hearing capabilities of the auditory system are further investigated and spatial audio systems including stereo, binaural, transaural, 5.1, ambisonics and wave field synthesis will be investigated both in terms of theory and practical use. There will be opportunities to audition and experiment with a number of different surround systems during practical sessions in the recording studios, listening room and anechoic chamber.\', \'You will learn how to identify and evaluate the objective and subjective principles behind musical instrument perception. You will develop theories of timbre analysis, the ways in which musical instruments produce sound, synthesis techniques and undertake software-based musical sound synthesis using both emulative and abstract approaches. Additive, subtractive and modulation synthesis will be studied along with signal processing (effects) design. Audio theory will give you a thorough understanding of analogue and digital audio signals and systems and the complex techniques for digitally controlling and interconnecting audio devices. This will include synchronization, clocking and automation across a variety of audio production platforms and contexts. Digital audio formats will also be examined.\', "The aim of the Master\'s Project is to carry out, under supervision, an extended individual study into a topic in audio, video, other digital media or acoustics. A large number of topics will be offered to you to choose from or you could undertake a bespoke topic to be agreed between you and your supervisor. Your project will reflect the skills, knowledge and understanding from different areas of the course and will encourage initiative and project management."]