Audio Production
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Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Program Outcomes
Program Courses
Course Descriptions
Associate's Degree Outcomes
Upon Completion of the Associate's degree, each student should be able to....
Audio Theory
  • Express a clear understanding of the physical properties of sound waves.
  • Relate the physical properties of sound waves to the human perception of sound.
  • Describe typical loudspeaker design and the variables controlled through enclosures, crossovers, and drivers.
  • Solve algebraic problems using decibels and decibel references.
  • Express and apply the concepts and methods for measurement of dynamic range and frequency response.
  • Identify the principles of SMPTE time code and the variables which affect syncronization of audio systems. Solve theoretical problems using SMPTE time code.
  • Create, read, and explain block diagrams of complex audio systems used in live sound and recording applications.
  • Discuss the uses and operational parameters of frequency domain, amplitude domain, and time domain signal processors.
  • Describe the causes and types of audio signal distortion and the methods for distortion measurement.
  • Identify the typical types of audio connections and devices needed for proper signal flow between sources and destinations including connectors, jacks, and patch bays.
  • Relate the process of magnetic recording to the fundamental parameters which affect recording quality.
  • Explain clearly how digital information is transmitted, stored, processed, and delivered.
Career Skills
  • Prepare a professional resume and cover letter.
  • Submit a portfolio of work that showcases the student’s creatvie, technical, and management abilities.
  • Prepare a "plan of action" for matriculation into a career as a professional audio practitioner.
  • Complete in good standing, a 120 hour internship approved by the facilitator of the Audio Production Seminar Class.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of terminology of the audio industry, contractual concepts and language, copyright issues, and legal issues in the audio industry.
  • Explain the income and monetary flow throughout the audio industry.
Critical Listening & Music
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the terminology of basic music theory.
  • Identify the 10 standard octave band frequencies in the audible spactrum.
  • Identify increments of time delay within 50ms.
  • Count measures and chart out the sections of a musical recording.
  • Identify notes and scales on a piano keyboard, guitar and bass guitar fretboard.
  • Identify common and complex time signatures.
  • Articulate the musical variables of a performance/recording as a critical lister.
  • Identify each note and sequence of a triad and create inversions of such.
Digital Audio and MIDI
  • Demonstrate a hands on proficiency with 2 channel digital editing, playlist creation, and audio/data
CD creation.
  • Demonstrate clear organization of digital audio projects including audio file management, archival, restore, and delivery of audio content.
Production Skills
  • Understand the processes involved in a typical multitrack recording project as well as the roles and responsiblities of the individuals involved.
  • Proficiently operate DAT and CD Recorders including DAT PNO's and ID's, start ID and an end ID and Auto ID.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with modular digital multitrack recorders including formatting, overdubbing, locate points, sampling frequencies, and high and low resolution.
  • Proficiently use signal processors: Spectral effect processors and their affect on frequency response and timbre, dynamic processors and their affect on amplitude and sound envelope, and time based processors and the related changes to time, and timbre.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in multitrack mixdown using 24 track tapes.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using patch bays to make connections typical to multitrack recording sessions.
  • Operate a digital audio work station showing understanding of DAW signal flow including inputs, outputs, sends, returns, inserts, and aux inputs.
  • Proficiently operate commone professional digital audio consoles.
  • Produce a radio commercial and a QuickTime movie soundtrack using Pro Tools.
  • Troubleshoot and solve typical synchronization problems in common production scenarios.
  • Execute the setup and engineering procedures and techniques used in a live performance.
  • Design, run, maintain, and troubleshoot a sound system for a wide variety of venues including corporate audio and conventions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to ring out a sound system to avoid feedback.
  • Efficiently and professionally engineer recording sessions involving medium to large ensembles involving multiple cue mixes, isolation booths, and acoustic instruments.
  • Demonstrate proper care and operation of a professional two inch analog tape machine and autolocator.
  • Competency with using in ear monitors and RF technology.
  • Present a completed project, including all necessary paperwork, printing, promotional materials and media to a public audience of one’s peers.
  • Execute the principles and techniques associated with samplers including file management, recording, editing samples, programs, multi-timbral setups and playback.
Bachelor's Degree Outcomes
In addition to the Associate's degree competencies, students who complete the Bachelor's degree should be able to...
Audio Theory
  • Apply the principles of Ohm’s Law to audio signals. Solve problems using current, voltage, resistance, and power for AC and DC circuits.
  • Express the concepts which govern transformers and solve signal manipulation problems through the use of transformers.
  • Measure current, voltage, resistance and power with a volt/ohm meter and identify wavform properties using an oscilloscope.
Career Skills
  • Write a professional business plan
  • Analyze the operations of a professional organization.
  • Express a clear understanding of the American Legal system as it affects mass media and effectively defend ethical positions involving typical conflicts between economics and the duty to truth.
  • Describe the First Amendment and a reporter’s rights, access, and privileges.
  • Communicate an understanding of the legal concepts of libel, slander, defamation of character, intellectual property rights, and right to privacy.
Critical Listening & Music
  • Identify the sequence of simple triads as well as their inversions.
  • Aurally identify harmonic and melodic intervals.
  • Identify music notation on a staff.
  • Build and transpose a harmonized major diatonic scale.
Digital Audio and MIDI
  • Descrribe the foundations of the MIDI specification - status byte, data byte, note on/off, Midi in, out, thru, etc.
  • Install and configure MIDI systems and hardware controllers such as MIDI interfaces and control surfaces.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with an advanced MIDI sequencer using Midi recording, Quantization, controller editing, graphic editing, program & bank changes and tempo control.
Production Skills
  • Create a 5.1 surround mix with proper bass management, control of dynamics, timbre, panning, time based signal processing, and automation.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with the Solid State Logic 6000 or 4000 series console and computer.
  • Demonstrate a variety of creative mix techniques including Drum Replacement, Keys & sidechains, integration of Pro Tools in the mix environment, and advanced signal flow.
  • Execute a multitrack location recording in a typical real-world enviroment.
  • Show ability to properly adjust time alignment and line array placement in live sound systems.
  • Properly set up, align, and calibrate a professional analog tape machine.
  • Conceptualize and plan a complex professional production project involving several personel and multiple stages of production.
  • Realize a detailed production plan by managing the necessary people, facilities, and technology needed to bring the project to completion within a required production budget and timeline.
  • Proficiently operate a Macintosh based sequencer software, demonstrating sequencing techniques: quantize, logical edit, drum edit and controller editing.