The Audio Design and Production program strives to prepare students for careers in music recording, audio post-production, audio for multi-media communications, sound design and sound art. It provides core coursework that covers the science of audio, hearing and modes of listening, and basic recording, editing, and processing techniques common to all audio production and post-production activities and careers. Students then choose courses that focus on specific areas of interest, including music and non-music audio production, audio for other media and art forms, sound synthesis and design, and sound as an independent art form.
The specific goal of the program is to provide a foundational understanding of audio theory (Introduction to Audio Theory and Basic Audio Systems), along with production fundamentals (Audio Production I and Audio Production II), supported by relevant science & mathematics courses and our hearing curriculum. Our intermediate courses (Recording I, Recording II, and Live Sound Recording) apply core curriculum theory and practice in the context of studio and live/location recording/production, using both complex and simple microphone techniques as well as live-to-two-track and multi-track recording. A selection of advanced courses (three are required) provides capstone experiences in the areas of studio recording, live/location recording, sound art, data sonification, and synthesis/signal processing. In addition, students are required to choose at least three elective courses in the department, which augments the breadth and/or depth of their audio knowledge, experience, and abilities.
It is important that students recognize the ever-changing and increasingly diverse nature of our technologically sensitive industries. To this end, we explore new media forms, in which audio production and post-production are integral parts. These may include web design and authoring, real-time web media, CD/DVD publishing, audio archiving, preservation and restoration, data sonfication, sound design for theater, broadcast, and multi-media, and sound art as a stand-alone, independent means of artistic expression.
As part of a liberal arts education, this program also supports the development of student communication skills in and aesthetic understanding of related industries, and helps prepare students to interact more effectively with peers, colleagues, collaborators, and clients.
As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:
- apply principles of audio science, theory and practice to predict, formulate and implement effective sound assessment, recording, processing, mixing and synthesis, within a given context;
- demonstrate fluency on a variety of audio production technologies and platforms appropriate for the completion of projects in live and studio contexts;
- develop critical listening skills to identify and assess the impact of the features of sound sources and the capabilities of recording and processing technologies toward the aesthetic goals of a given project; and
- apply effective planning, communication, management and quality control skills to complete professionally and aesthetically successful audio production projects.
