Course detail

Audio Technologies

FaVU-TEAUDI-ZAcad. year: 2021/2022

Audio technology is an introductory course for working with sound, it lays foundations to music production and studio work. It aims at a basic orientation in the sound studio of FFA BUT and its equipment, such as microphones, preamplifiers, virtual synthesizers, samplers, effects processors or sequencers. It includes an introduction to the principles of recording, editing, processing and mixing recordings; further work with microphones, recording chain and audio editing programs DAW, specifically the basics of working with softwares Ableton Live and Cubase.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

MgA. Jiří Suchánek, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Audiovisual Technology (KAT)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

After passing the course students will be acquainted with professional terminology and will understand basic principles of audio technologies. They will gain knowledge and skills necessary to work independently in a school sound studio (and elsewhere). Another skills they gain: sound production in Ableton Live and Cubase; basic procedures of music production, which will allow students to create their own simple track / song / school hit.

Prerequisites

Interest in music and working with sound.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures and practical exercises. In case of school closure the teaching will take place regularly online on MS Teams platform according to the curent schedule.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Active participation (attendance of at least 70%) and creation of an original author's sound composition containing one's own voice and other instruments is required for the credit.

Course curriculum

1) Sound – physics, properties, parameters, propagation, perception, analog vs. digital.
2) Microphones and preamplifiers – types and characteristics.
3) Signal routing and gain staging – connection of equipment in the studio and monitoring of signal dynamics.
4) DAW Cubase – basics of work, settings, editing, mixing.
5) Ableton Live – improvisation with recorded material.
6) Sampler – creative use.
7) Synthesis – introduction to the types and characters of syntheses: FM, additive, granular, subtractive, wavetable, transwave, formant, karplus-strong, physical modeling...
8) Sequencers – basics of work with sequencers and examples of advanced concepts, notation of musical ideas, arpeggio, shuffle, groove, random.
9) Frequency and dynamic signal adjustments – work with equalizers and filters, work with compressors and limiters in mixing, side-chain, de-esser, multiband compression, M/S.
10) Delay and spatial effects – delay, reverb, chorus, flanger.
11) MIDI, OSC, CV – control music signals.
12) Basics of music production – dramaturgy of composition, conception, design, goal, aesthetics.
13) Mixing – practice of acquired knowledge, listening, exercises, video sound, synchronization, formats, export.
14) Production of original music recording.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the possibilities of working in the sound studio of FFA BUT and with the basics of music production, especially with recording and editing the sound material to the intended form.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Mandatory attendance (70%), missed classes can be replaced by an alternative task in agreement with the teacher.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Dennis DeSantis, Making Music, Ableton AG, 2015. (EN)
Václav Syrový, Hudební zvuk, Praha: Nakladatelství AMU, 2013. (CS)

Recommended reading

Bohumil Geist, Akustika – jevy a souvislosti v hudební teorii a praxi, Muzikus, 2005. (CS)
Brian Eno, Oblique Strategies, Brian Eno, 1979. (EN)
David Miller Huber, Robert E.Runstein, Modern Recording Techniques, Elsevier’s Science & Technology Rights Department in Oxford, 2005. (EN)
J. Anthony Allen, Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: The producer's guide to harmony, chord progressions, and song structure in the MIDI grid, Slam Academy, 2018. (EN)
J.T.Cloutier, The Bedroom Super Producer, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017. (EN)
Milan Guštar, Elektrofony I, II, Uvnitř, 2008. (CS)
Miller Puckete, The Theory and Technique of Electronic Music, University of California, San Diego, 2007. (EN)
Rick Rubin, In the studio, ECW Press, 2009. (EN)
Thomas Bey William Bailey, Micro-bionic: Radical Electronic Music and Sound Art in the 21st Century, Scb Distributors, 2009. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUB Bachelor's

    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

8 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Jiří Suchánek, Ph.D.

Practical class

18 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Jiří Suchánek, Ph.D.