Course Title: Develop sound designs
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
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: John Phillips
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4913
Course Contact Email: john.phillips@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: John Phillips
Email: 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 |
Element: |
1. Interpret and confirm sound design brief |
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 |
Element: |
2. Break down components of sound design brief |
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 |
Element: |
3. Experiment with sound components to express ideas |
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 |
Element: |
4. Assess creative ideas |
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 |
Element: |
5. Design sound elements |
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 |
Element: |
6. Evaluate final sound design |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Use appropriate techniques to evaluate whether final sound design meets the requirements of the sound design brief 6.2 Seek feedback and opinions from relevant people, and document results of evaluation 6.3 Communicate results of evaluation to relevant people, and use results to improve future practice |
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
Learning will occur in class delivery and project work. Some external project completion will be required out of class, including:
- class exercises
-
analysis/critique of relevant reading material
-
design activities or projects
- class presentations
- group discussion
- research
-
independent project-based work
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Teaching Schedule
| WEEK | CONTENT | PRACS | Location | ASSESSMENTS COMMENCE | ASSESSMENTS DUE |
| Week 1 | Introduction to unit & assessments | LAB | |||
| The Sound Designers | |||||
| Cinema Sound / Surround Sound | |||||
| LOGIC PRO | |||||
| Week 2 | Surround Sound Formats | OMF PRAC | LAB | Assessment 1 | |
| Pro Tools I/O | |||||
| OMF & AAF | |||||
| FCP > OMF > LOGIC / PRO TOOLS - IN CLASS PRAC | |||||
| Week 3 | Surround Sound in Pro-Tools | STUDIO | STUDIO | Assessment 1 | |
| Pro Tools I/O | |||||
| STUDIO BASED CLASS | |||||
| Class will be divided into two groups for this session | |||||
| Week 4 | Review | ||||
| Week 5 | Genre introduction | LAB | Assessment 2 | ||
| Review examples of genres and consider production approaches | |||||
| ASSESSMENT 2 COMMENCES | |||||
| Remix demonstration / instruction | |||||
| Week 6 | OMF PRAC | LAB | Assessment 3 | ||
| Logic Pro / Pro Tools / Adobe Premiere | |||||
| ASSESSMENT 3 COMMENCES | |||||
| Sound Design / roles in film sound production (KK) - ADR / Foley Fight Club process explained | |||||
| Week 7 | GUEST LECTURE - David Chakman | LAB | |||
| Location Recording | |||||
| Prep week 8 prac | |||||
| Week 8 | LOGIC PRO - Examine sessions & processes, CHRIS HILL :PRAC | LAB | |||
| Remix review - review process and listen to previous examples | |||||
| Sound for games (Vegetables) / Wilhelm / Foley | |||||
| Bass Management / Matrix v Discrete / File Management | |||||
| Week 9 | LOGIC PRO - Export from Logic to ProTools, Examine sessions & processes | LAB | Assessment 2 | ||
| Introduction to CHICAGO requirements | |||||
| Review Previous remixes & Idiot Boxes - ASSESSMENT 2 DUE | |||||
| Week 10 | GUEST LECTURE - David Chackman / Location Recording | LAB | |||
| Theramin / Strymon project brief (Analog project Ass 5) | |||||
| Producer Kits | |||||
| Week 11 | STUDIO | Assessment 5 | |||
| Assessment 5 - Analog Recording Project | |||||
| STUDIO SESSIONS | |||||
| (No Class) | |||||
| Week 12 | STUDIO | Assessment 5 | |||
| Assessment 4 - Analog Recording Project | |||||
| STUDIO SESSIONS | |||||
| (No Class) | |||||
| Week 13 | LAB | Assessment 3 | |||
| Week 14 | ASSESSMENT 3 & 5 DUE | LAB | Assessment 5 | ||
| GUEST LECTURE - DAVID CHAKMAN | |||||
| FINAL REVIEW | |||||
| Week 15 | ASSESSMENT 4 | LAB | Assessment 4 | ||
| Assessment and Review | |||||
| Look at a selection of back catalogue music productions | |||||
| Week 16 | COMPLETE REVIEW ASSESSMENTS IN CLASS | LAB | Assessment 4 | ||
| Assessment and Review | |||||
| ASSESSMENT 4 DUE | |||||
| Complete Ass 4 in class, plus Ass 1 & documents for Ass 2 & 3 | |||||
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Sonnenschein, D 2001, Sound design : the expressive power of music, voice, and sound effects in cinema, Michael Wiese Productions, Seattle |
0941188264 |
Farnell, A 2010, Designing Sound, MIT Press, Cambridge |
0262014416 |
Cancellaro, J 2006, Exploring sound design for interactive media, Thomson Delmar Learning, Clifton Park |
1401881025 |
Gibbs, T 2007, The fundamentals of sonic art & sound design, AVA Academia, Lausanne. |
2940373493 |
Other Resources
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
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
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates
Assessment Task 1: Research Assessment (including Knowledge Questions)
Assessment Task 2: Genre Remix Project
Assessment Task 3: Idiot Box Project
Assessment Task 4: Review
Assessment Task 5: Analogue Sound Design Group Project
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview