Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for MM 210 archive revision 202304

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Effective Term:
Fall 2023

Course Number:
MM 210
Course Title:
Audio Technician I - Intro
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces the concepts and skills of audio mixing and recording for live events and video projects. Includes critical listening, the physics of sound and microphone design, the principles of signal flow, mixing, recording, and monitoring, and hands-on practices and assessments of contemporary mixing, sound reinforcement, and two-channel recording technique. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Use appropriate microphone placement, routing, mixing, sound reinforcement, and recording techniques for events and productions on location.
  • Optimize sound using skills in analog and digital manipulation.
  • Describe, evaluate, and optimize audio production workflow.
  • Evaluate completed projects to identify areas of potential or needed improvement.

Course Activities and Design

Materials will be presented via lectures, demonstrations, screenings, and reading assignments. Students will learn and demonstrate their abilities through hands-on assignments and practical exams. Guest speakers will provide students with exposure to the regional professional production community.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • assigned audio projects;

  • written quizzes;

  • written assignments;

  • practical exams in which the student demonstrates hands-on skills and abilities;

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

1. DEVELOPING A SOUND PROJECT

1.1. Needs assessment

1.2. Source documents - specifications and scripts

1.3. Resources - crew

1.4. Resources - equipment

1.5. Budgets and schedules

1.6. Copyright clearance and releases

2. PRODUCTION CREW

2.1. The responsibilities and techniques of departments and crew: producers, directors, camera, lighting, grip, electrical, wardrobe, and projection departments.

2.2. Responsibilities and relationships of the Sound Department and crew.

2.2. Refining efficient and effective communication on the set.

3. IN-CAMERA AUDIO RECORDING

3.1. Microphones used for location and sound-stage production.

3.2. Microphone placement.

3.3. Integration of audio with a video camera.

3.4. Setting optimal audio levels.

3.5. Using a field audio mixer.

3.6. Current and emerging audio production technologies.

4. DUAL-SYSTEM AUDIO RECORDING

4.1. Slating, time-code, and synchronization.

4.2. Rough synchronization techniques.

4.3. Two-channel audio recorders.

5. SOUND REINFORCEMENT

5.1. Microphones used for sound reinforcement.

5.2. Microphone placement.

5.3. Gain-staging.

5.4. Real-time sound processing.

5.5. Connecting mics, mixers, processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers.

5.6. Mixing.

5.7. Rigging.

6. POST-PRODUCTION

6.1. Review of post-production sound basics.

6.2. Post-production workflows.

6.3. Techniques for organizing, managing, backing-up, and archiving media.

6.4. Editing techniques for sound projects.

6.5. Building sound environments.

7. DELIVERY/DISTRIBUTION

7.1. Review of distribution options (broadcast, disk,, Internet).

7.2. Current and emerging distribution technologies.