WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO SOUND PRODUCTION IN THE MULTIMEDIA WORLD

Degree course: 
Corso di First cycle degree in COMMUNICATION SCIENCES
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2022/2023
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2023/2024
Course type: 
Various educational activities
Seat of the course: 
Varese - Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Credits: 
2
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
16
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (16 hours)
Requirements: 

Familiarity with the use of basic computer tools.

None

Attendance is mandatory.

Assessment: 
Giudizio Finale

Provide the student with a basic understanding of the characteristics of sound and its proper recording procedures; be able to properly record audio tracks to be used later in the sounding of a podcast or video clip.
 Basic aspects of creating soundtracks will also be addressed.

What is sound and how it is recorded. 

Issues related to recording systems, a historical background.

Current technologies.

Learning in the use of audio production software, using practical examples.

Theoretical part 1CFU


What is sound

Definition of sound wave
Intensity
Height
Timbre

How sound is recorded

Technological evolution of recording/playback systems throughout history (1887-present)
Phonograph, wax discs
Gramophone, shellac records
Turntable, vinyl records (microgroove)
Compact disk player, digital disk
Tape recorder, magnetic tapes
Computer, hard disk
Digital recorders, memory cards

Recording of voices or acoustic instruments
Types of microphones and their characteristics
Electrical/electronic instruments

How to store sounds on a digital medium: analog-to-digital conversion

Practical considerations on how to record a signal
 Sound pressure and the decibel
Conventions on signal intensity
Dynamic range, signal distortion
Audio interface

MIDI some mention of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Control Surfaces

Process of making an audio track

 Example of sound design

Types of audio playback



Practical part 1CFU



1 Fundamentals of Ableton Live - session view


2 Fundamentals of Ableton Live - arrangement view


3 How to manage the audio of a podcast/radio broadcast


4 Exploring and combining cinematic sounds
5 Using images as inspiration for composition

Convenzionale

1 CFU lectures with integration of audio and video examples

1 CFU hands-on computer activity

The workshop is limited to twenty people; students are asked to register in advance.