Intermediate Audio Engineering Certificate Program Course description, outline, prerequisites and tuition. 2013
Course Description This certificate program is designed for basic and intermediate audio engineering and producer level fields. Our Audio Engineering program prepares graduates for careers in the professional recording industry by providing in-depth training in the essential techniques of recording as well as hands-on experience in state-of-the-art studios. Whether your goal is to be a pro audio engineer, or master the recording process as an artist or producer, Audio Shift provides the knowledge and experience to make it a reality. Certificate in Audio Engineering This 24 week program provides an intensive, hands-on curriculum designed to prepare aspiring engineers for the demands of the professional recording studio. Completion of all program requirements qualify students to earn a Certificate in Audio Engineering. Program Features: Day and Evening Classes This program consists of 24 weekly sessions including 24 (1) hour lectures and 24 (1) hour hands on labs in a studio. Practical Recording Session focuses on recording drums, bass, different types of guitars, vocals, piano, etc. Learn how to overdub single instruments and build a complete, multi-track arrangement and production using Avid Pro Tools HD. Console Operation Learn signal flow as it applies directly to high-end professional consoles, including how to route signals for tracking, overdubbing, and mixing. Pro Tools 1 Learn the basic concepts and theory involved in using a digital audio workstation. You will learn how to set up an Avid Pro Tools session for recording, import audio, edit and record MIDI, back up data, work with firewire drives, and more.
Pro Tools 2 This session explores the powerful Avid Pro Tools editing and processing functions, including plug-ins, automation, synchronization, quantization, mastering and more. Music Studio Etiquette A comprehensive look at what goes on before, during and after sessions. Learn the do s and don ts of how to work in a professional recording studio environment. Acoustics Fundamentals of musical phenomena and perception. Learn to recognize frequencies by ear and how different microphone techniques affect the recording of sound waves, critical elements in creating a professional recording and mix. Music Pre-Production Session focuses on gaining basic pre-production skills while working with project-studio equipment. Record right away, learning how demos are made and why they are so crucial to having a great session. Recording Theory Fundamentals of analog recording theory and practice, including an overview of studio components, EQ and filters, dynamic processors, microphones, auxiliary routing and effects processors. Mixing and Mastering Learn professional mixing and mastering techniques, including fader balance and automation, lifting instruments with EQ and corrective EQ blueprints, editing and gating techniques, compressor and limiter settings, imaging, and time-based processors. Signal Processing Learn how to operate professional signal processing gear, including traditional in-line processors (compressor, gate, EQ), effects processors (reverb, delay, chorus, pitch shift) and both Avid Pro Tools and third party plug-ins. Music Production Students learn the ins and outs of both the business and creative sides of album production. Sessions cover concepts such as budgeting, choosing studios and musicians, working with engineers and management and finessing the best performance out of artists. Audio Internship Students gain practical professional experience in working recording studios as engineering assistants. Hours and schedules vary according to the specific position obtained; minimum of 1 hours per week.
Course Outline Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Sound and Hearing Week 3 Studio acoustics and design Week 4 Microphones: design and application Week 5 The analog tape recorder Week 6 Digital audio technology Week 7 The digital audio workstation Week 8 Groove tools and techniques Week 9 MIDI and electronic music technology Week 10 Multimedia and the web Week 11 Midterm Performance exam based on all previous weeks and subjects. Student must begin a recording project of their own choice. Week 12 Synchronization Week 13 Amplifiers Week 14 The art and technology of mixing Week 15 Signal processing Week 16 Noise reduction Week 17 Monitoring Week 18 Surround sound Week 19 Mastering Week 20 Product manufacture Week 21 Studio tips and tricks Week 22 Final Student will be required to bring in an outside project to record from start to finish. Student must have completed their own recording project and submitted to itunes.
Prerequisites and requirements Students should already have some basic knowledge and general proficiency with computers and other music related technology. *Students must provide their own desktop or laptop and external record drive, or have full access to one running pro tools 9 or later. Mac systems: Avid-qualified computer using i7 processors with 2GB minimum of ram, 4GB or more recommended Mac Pro or Macbook Pro recommended Must be running Snow Leopard: Mac OSX 10.6.2, 10.6.3, 10.6.4, 10.6.5, 10.6.6, 10.6.7, or 10.6.8 (32 or 64-bit) Windows systems: Avid-qualified Windows-based computer using i5 or i7 processors with 2GB minimum of ram, 4GB or more recommended. *Note: Only NVIDIA graphics cards are supported. HP Z800 Workstation or Dell Precision T7500 Desktops or HP or Dell Laptops with Intel i7 Q820 1.7ghz processors Must be running Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (32 or 64-bit) Pro Tools 9 Please see list above for Avid-qualified Mac and Windows systems. Avid-qualified Audio Interfaces include but are not limited to: Eleven Rack and 3 rd Generation Mbox Family; Mbox, Mbox Mini and Mbox Pro. *Note: Must be a 3 rd Generation based Mbox. *Note: Students must also provide their own external recording drive. This must be a 500GB or higher 7200rpm external Firewire 400 or 800 drive. A 16gb or higher flash/thumb drive is also recommended for quick file transfers from system to system.
Certificate Program Cost Student must complete entire program and all balances must be paid in full before certificate of completion can be given. Cost per month (6 months) $1000 x 6 Cost for materials $200 Total costs $6200 *A deposit of $1200 must be paid in full before start of course, this will include first months tuition and cost of materials. First months tuition and cost of materials is non refundable.