Audio Production

Full-time (Day): 2 terms | Part-time (Night): 4 terms

Develop your creative expertise in cutting-edge audio techniques with the Audio Production Certificate program at CDIA. Learn about the world of audio, studio operations, current music technologies and music production as they are implemented for music, film and television productions, and interactive media. You’ll learn audio theory, gain competency with industry-standard tools, become familiar with professional standards and understand the aesthetic considerations of audio.

Our facilities include two recording studios, two edit suites/mix studios, and both Mac- and PC-based student labs. Studio D is a full-scale recording studio with 5.1 surround-sound capabilities, a large live room and three isolation booths—one of which houses a baby grand piano. Designed by world-renowned Walters-Storyk Design Group, the studio is equipped with an Audient 8024 console, racks of analog and digital outboard gear and Pro Tools HD. Studio F is another full-size recording studio and is equipped with a Yamaha DM2000, an industry-standard digital console that provides a valuable contrast to the analog Audient.

Through a combination of hands-on exercises, lectures and team projects, you’ll be introduced to real-world applications, theoretical concepts, critical listening skills and issues surrounding the aesthetics of audio and music. Working with students in programs like filmmaking and animation, you’ll experience the truly collaborative nature of working with audio for visual media. After completing the certificate program, and with a substantial résumé and demo reel, you will have the knowledge and experience to enter the workforce ready to go.

AP101 Physics of Audio

This module presents the fundamentals of sound: sound waves, frequency, pitch, amplitude, phase, wave shape, timbre, the sound envelope, the harmonic series, octave bands, concepts of noise and pure waveforms. It includes an introduction to transducers (microphones and loudspeakers) as well as signal flow diagrams. This module lays a solid foundation for the program.

AP102 Introduction to Signal Flow

This module is an introduction to signal flow in a modern studio, with particular attention on the recording chain and optimum studio setup, and includes an exploration of recording to tape, routing recorded material during an overdub or mix session, and the role of a patchbay in a studio. Concepts are presented through lecture, hands-on lab time and a student-run recording session.

AP103 Introduction to MIDI Systems

This module introduces MIDI systems, including setup and sequencing. The connection between MIDI data and musical events is demonstrated, and discussions include a basic historical overview of MIDI. Tempo and click and MIDI control change messages are also introduced in the context of working with a sequencer or DAW. Using a wide variety of MIDI modules, controllers and interfaces available in the lab, students begin to develop a complete picture of the role of MIDI in music production.

AP104 Basic Microphone Techniques

This module is an introduction to microphones and session setup. Microphone types, polar patterns, frequency response and basic stereo miking techniques are introduced. Students participate in miking live musicians in recording sessions featuring guitar, bass, drums and acoustic instruments.

AP105 Digital Audio Fundamentals

An introduction to digital audio, this module focuses on the conversion of analog audio events to the digital realm. Sampling rate, bit depth, quantization issues, storage requirements, standard delivery formats, recording media and clocking are introduced through interactive lessons and class experiments. Exercises provide students with a foundation for understanding reference levels and metering. At the end of the module students will be able to function independently in the studio and may book studio time for their projects.

AP106 Music Production Techniques

This module progresses from the technical to the procedural and aesthetic aspects of recording. Students experience an in-depth exploration of the procedures and roles assumed during live-to-two, basic tracking, overdub and mixdown sessions through role-play and running a session. Students also learn about aesthetics when producing for records and the business of music.

AP107 Field Recording and Synchronization

This module introduces timecode, frame rates, and integration with pro-video equipment. SMPTE via LTC and VITC and MIDI timecode are used in synchronization settings. Students will learn about master/slave considerations, chasing timecode, and drop frame versus non-drop. The module also covers field recording equipment and techniques.

AP108 Introduction to Sound Design

This module focuses on the specialized tools and techniques necessary for work in the sound design field. An overview of the field includes aesthetics of sound design in film, animation, games and radio. The creation and use of sound effects are introduced in a student project from the film or animation department.

AP109 Introduction to Postproduction

This module introduces postproduction audio for film and television. Students explore workflows used for feature films and lower budget productions, including OMF/AAF interchange, leveling and sweetening, music editing, noise reduction, dialog editing and delivery formats. The aesthetics of music in film are also examined. After this module, students will be ready to provide final mixes for projects in the film department.

AP110 Live Sound

This module will demonstrate the techniques and equipment used in live sound reinforcement situations, from basic two-speaker PA systems to complex Front-of-House and Monitor systems with multiple mixes. There will be an emphasis on signal flow throughout the systems, proper setup and calibration of a PA, microphone selection and use, explanation of graphic equalizers and ringing out for feedback elimination, use of compressors, gates, and effects, as well as stage splitters to multiple mixing consoles and recorders. After completing AP110, students should be able to setup a PA system with the maximum amount of headroom, sound check a band, create monitor mixes, and ultimately mix an entire show.

AP201 Acoustics and Psychoacoustics

This module features an in-depth look at the aspects of sound in a space as well as the aural phenomena that shape the way in which we hear sound. Using critical listening exercises, students investigate the Fletcher-Munson Curve, the Precedence Effect and phantom center images. Sound transmission, sound isolation and noise reduction are conveyed via the correspondence to room acoustics and basic studio design topics.

AP202 Advanced Signal Flow

This module builds on the introductory signal flow material and delves into working in hybrid studios where an advanced understanding of digital and analog interconnections is imperative. Block diagrams are analyzed and discussions and demonstrations of digital and analog consoles, patchbays and recording mediums solidify the module’s concepts. To complete this module successfully, students must run a specified mock-recording session in both studios, after which they are considered qualified to begin the project portion of the course.

AP203 Advanced MIDI Systems

This module takes an in-depth look at MIDI and its uses. Through hands-on exercises, students learn how to use SysEx in patch editors and librarians, MIDI beat clock, and the General MIDI spec. Advanced sequencing techniques such as groove quantization and real-time MIDI effects are mastered in class exercises, and the use of Standard MIDI Files in session interchange and multimedia are explored.

AP204 Advanced Microphone Techniques

This module focuses on techniques used in professional studios, including advanced stereo miking. During in-class recording projects students gain experience with specific techniques for recording piano, various-size ensembles and specific solo instruments.

AP205 Advanced Digital Audio

This module looks at the current state of Digital Signal Processing, including the use of compression codecs such as mpeg-3, mpeg-4 and AAC. Students investigate the benefits and drawbacks of DSP processes through extreme sound twisting labs. Concepts behind Internet delivery, including protection of digital assets, podcasting and streaming are discussed.

AP206 Advanced Music Production

This module allows student pairs to oversee a complete three song demo CD for a band of their choosing. Students book studio time with their bands, record basics and overdubs, and complete a mix with their client present. They also collaborate with graphic design students to produce a CD label and liner. Instructors are present to help guide the process and provide a critique of the final product.

AP207 Advanced Field Recording and Audio Documentary

This module is an introduction to broadcast journalism through audio portraits and field recording. This module will educate students on all aspects of sound collection, interviewing in the field, microphone handling, voice-over approaches and audio documentary script preparation, culminating in the creation and production of an original audio portrait due at the final session.

AP208 Sound Design for Animation and Games

This module continues the exploration of sound effect creation through synthesis, location recording and sonic manipulation. Using a game level created by the animation department, students identify a list of sound assets, create all sound design elements and implement them in the game. Direct experience with two different game sound engines is given.

AP209 Advanced Postproduction

In this module students further their skills in postproduction for film and television by completing a mix for a student film from the film department. Advanced topics include a deeper look at music scoring, Foley, ADR, and dialog editing techniques. Students will also become comfortable with film industry terminology.

AP401 Final Project

This module represents the culmination of all the learning that has taken place. Each student selects from among the areas covered in the course: music production, sound design for animation or games, audio documentary or audio postproduction for film. The student is then assigned a faculty advisor specializing in the field and creates a substantial and largely self-directed work. Final projects are critiqued by classmates and instructors at the end of the project period and shown at graduation.

AP700 Mixdown

This ongoing weekly course provides students with an in-depth survey of the physical components and fundamental theories used in the mixdown phase of postproduction audio. Weekly discussions include functional topics such as basic gear construction and operation, as well as a look at how these technologies are applied to real-world situations in mono, stereo and multichannel surround sound formats. In addition to weekly mix assignments, students hone their critical listening skills though various ear-training exercises to demonstrate the correlation between sound manipulation and aural perception.

AP701 DAW and Synthesis

This ongoing weekly module provides students with a thorough knowledge of all the major digital audio workstations (DAW), beginning with the industry-standard ProTools. The underlying metaphor of each DAW is exposed, and the similarities and differences between the platforms are explored through demonstrations, exercises and projects. Computer sound synthesis is also covered, including modular ideas, FM synthesis, time compression and expansion, and sampling. Software used includes ProTools, Digital Performer, Logic, Live, Reason and other industry-standard programs.

AP501 Special Topics

Students learn about business issues, basics of web and video, and career development in special topic presentations led by local professionals and entrepreneurs. Classroom presentations help students place their new skills in context and provide a perspective on how they can apply these skills after the program.

Topics may include:
• Basics of website design
• Music business
• Remixing
• Songwriting
• Mastering
• Running your own business

AP999 Production Practicum

Practicum gives students who have completed the certificate program practical experience in working on a real-world project. Under the direction of a faculty member students will produce a media project for a nonprofit organization and learn to manage the constraints of a fixed timeframe and well-defined client deliverables. Students will gain confidence and better understand the professional expectations of the position they hold on a project. Practicum allows students to gain professional experience while refining their new skills in a real production environment.