Study Guide

Objectives

The student understands sound as a physical phenomenon, learns about the generation and perception of sound, taking into account the characteristics of different instruments, and gets information about the effect of different conditions on the behavior of sound.
The student hears the width and depth ratios of the stereo image, is able to analyze the structure of the acoustic space, the directional effect created by the upper mid-range sounds and the stuffiness of the sound image created by the lower mid-range sounds. The student identifies the microphone techniques and effect devices used in the construction of an audible sound image.
The student understands the differences between analog and digital systems. He is familiar with different file formats and knows how to convert between file formats. By editing, he is able to compile wholes from recorded material and to produce files suitable for electronic publication, for example online distribution, from recordings.
The student understands the operating principles of microphones and masters practical microphone techniques. He knows how to work as a recording artist in multi-track recording and editing work. He knows how to plan, schedule and implement a recording project. The student gets to know the studio environment not only as a recording artist but also as a studio musician.

Content

• physical acoustics
• basics of room acoustics
• the basics of psychoacoustics
• listening exercises and making sound image maps
• using a spectrum analyzer and developing your own frequency hearing
• analysis of technically incorrect recordings
• terminology
• the basics of digital audio
• file formats
• audio compression algorithms
• microphones and microphone technologies
• sound desks
• signal routing
• stereophonic and stereo microphone technologies
• multitrack working
• effects and processing devices
• digital audio editing
• mixing

Assessment criteria, pass/fail

Successful completion requires the student’s active participation in the course’s face-to-face meetings and the satisfactory completion of assigned tasks.

Further information

Participation 80 %