Course Title: Audio Technology 1a

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Audio Technology 1a

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM1241

City Campus

Undergraduate

340H Art

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015

Course Coordinator: Darrin Verhagen

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3718

Course Coordinator Email:darrin.verhagen@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 9.5.4

Course Coordinator Availability: Via Appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This class introduces students to the basic fundamentals skills and concepts of various audio technologies used to record, create and manipulate sonic material.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of this course you will:

• be able to make basic mono and stereo recordings 
• be able to use the software applications Pro-Tools and Ableton to edit, mix and transfer sound and musical material. 
• be able to create sounds by the application of basic synthesis for both hardware and software synthesizers 
• be able to create sounds by the application of basic sampling. 
• understand concepts such as MIDI, PCM digital audio, synthesis, sampling, DAW’s (digital audio workstations), portable digital recorders, microphone technique and signal path


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • explore the implication of applied skills and methods in the context of creating sculptural and/or musical works
  • effectively apply compositional devices and conceptual methods to manipulate responses to sculptural and/or musical works of art
  • experiment with a range of developmental working processes in relation to the production of sonic, musical, sculptural and spatial forms
  • successfully apply technical abilities in the creation of work for presentation, installation and /or performance
  • critically reflect on your work and the work of others utilising appropriate terminology


Overview of Learning Activities

  • introduction to the ear and the basic physics of sound.
  • introduction to sound recording devices and their historical development.
  • introduction to audio electronics covering electricity, analogue and digital circuits and basic computer concepts.
  • basic signal flow and mixing consoles
  • introduction to microphones and contemporary recording devices
  • introduction to DAW’s (digital audio workstations)
  • overview of Pro-Tools
  • introduction to basic synthesis
  • introduction to basic sampling
  • overview of Ableton Live
  • introduction to basic mixing and mastering, delivery and preparation of audio for production, broadcast and delivery via the internet
     


Overview of Learning Resources

Hardware and Software necessary for the course are provided in the computer lab in the School of Art (6.4.6), although home recording is also permissible.
Equipment for location recording is available for loan from the building 2 loans store.
Recommended texts are discussed in class, and students are expected to deepen their understanding and broaden their perspectives through access to material in the library, websites and discussion groups.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment comprises a number of exercises in which students can demonstrate the creative application of the technical skills they have acquired in class. Feedback is delivered in review sessions across the semester which include critical analysis from the lecturer as well as peer-led discussion.