Course detail

Audio Technologies

FaVU-TEAUDI-ZAcad. year: 2024/2025

Audio Technology I is an introductory course to working with sound, providing students with an introduction to music production and studio work. It focuses on the basic orientation in the FaVU BUT sound studio and its equipment, such as microphones, preamplifiers, compressors, virtual synthesizers, samplers, effects processors or sequencers. The course includes an introduction to the principles of recording, editing, editing and mixing recordings; as well as working with microphones, recording chain and audio editing DAW programs, specifically the basics of working in Ableton Live, but other professional DAW software Nuendo, Reaper or Cubase are also briefly introduced. 

 

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)

Entry knowledge

Interest in music and active working with sound. 

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The following is required for credit: - active participation; - attendance of at least 70 %; - creation of an original composition containing own voice and other instruments.

Teaching takes place in the audio studio of the KAT FaVU BUT in the hours determined by the timetable. Attendance is compulsory, the maximum number of absences is 30 %. Higher amount of absences can be compensated by submitting an alternative assignment after agreement with the lecturers. 

 

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce to the students the possibilities of working in the sound studio of FaVU BUT, the basics of music production, methods of recording and editing sound material into the intended form. 

 

 


Students will learn to navigate the sound studio, independently record and edit audio material into the intended form. Students will also acquire basic technical terminology and an understanding of the principles of the audio technologies presented. Students will learn to work independently with Ableton Live software, virtual instruments (samplers, synthesizers, effects), microphones, and preamps. Students will learn the basic procedures of music production, which they will confirm by creating their own simple credit audio composition. 

 

 

Study aids

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 VUM_B Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme VUM_B Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

8 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Jiří Suchánek, Ph.D.

Syllabus

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 and its consultation.

Practical class

18 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Jiří Suchánek, Ph.D.