Course Outline for Music Recording Technology 31
Sound Design

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 10/08/2021
Catalog Description:

MURT 31 - Sound Design

3.00 Units

Introduction to sound design and audio post-production for multimedia. Includes creating and editing sound sffects, ADR, Foley, music, and ambience, for multiple visual mediums such as film, TV, video gaming, theatre, and dance. Emphasis on computer assisted production using Digital Audio Workstations and sound design techniques using industry-standard equipment.
Prerequisite: MURT 20.
1005.00 - Commercial Music*
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 72.00 0.00 72.00
Total 3.00 108.00 72.00 180.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. describe and understand the role of music and audio in various visual media, including TV and film, advertising, live theater and dance, and video games;
  2. use computer-based audio software to successfully create and implement sounds with specific use in various visual media;
  3. design, record and integrate Foley audio (sound effects) for visual media;
  4. successfully record and sync audio for a typical ADR session;
  5. design and implement audio into a live theater production in collaboration with theater personnel.
  6. create, arrange and produce an original soundtrack for a scene from a pre-existing film;
  7. demonstrate professional behaviors required in the music industry.
Course Content:
  1. Elements of the soundtrack for film, television, commercials, and video games
    1. Similarities and differences in sound design
    2. Soundtrack examples
    3. Soundtrack process and creation
  2. Dialog
    1. The function of dialog in the soundtrack
    2. Production dialog
    3. Techniques of matching production and Automated Dialog Replacement (ADR)
    4. Dialog editing
  3. Music
    1. The function of music in the soundtrack
    2. How to edit music to picture
  4. Ambiance
    1. The function of ambiance in the soundtrack
    2. Recording ambiance
    3. Room tone
  5. Foley
    1. The function of Foley in the soundtrack
    2. Recording Foley
    3. Foley editing
  6. Sound effects
    1. The function of sound effects in the soundtrack
    2. Sound effect libraries
    3. Recording sound effects
    4. Sound effect editing
    5. Field recording
  7. Mixing
    1. Mixing the three stems – dialog, music and sound effects
    2. Important principles of mixing sound for picture
    3. Mono, stereo, and surround sound mixing
  8. Game Audio Middleware
  9. Film, Television, Commercials, and Video Game Industry
    1. Jobs
    2. Legal Concerns
    3. Timelines
  10. Creative Process
    1. Production, Arrangement and Composition
    2. Critique and Analysis
    3. Delivery Modes
  11. Professional Behaviors
    1. Dependability
    2. Time Management
    3. Work Ethic
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Demonstration/Exercise
  3. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  4. Case Study
  5. Practice/Demonstration
  6. Play Production
  7. Attendance of live performance
  8. Diagnostic Quizzes
  9. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Design and create a sonic logo for a real or fictitious company's advertising campaign.
  2. Design, record/create and implement Foley audio (sound effects) for a video.
  3. Compose and implement music cues for a film/video.
  4. Record, synchronize & deliver dialogue audio for a film/video in a typical ADR session.
  5. Collaborate with other students to assess and design audio for use in a live theater production.
  6. Demonstrate professional behaviors and conduct, including timeliness, delivering on a deadline, collaboration and troubleshooting.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Projects
  3. Group Projects
  4. Demonstration of practice and skills
  5. Final Examination or Project
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Explain the basic principles of acoustics and sound, including analog to digital audio conversion.
  2. Demonstrate an appropriate implementation of basic techniques of audio signal flow through analog and digital signal chains.
  3. Assess characteristics of various microphones and evaluate microphone technique strategies.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Vanessa Theme Ament (2014). The Foley Grail: The Art of Performing Sound for Film, Games, and Animation (2nd). Focal Press.
  2. Andy Farnell (2010). Designing Sound The MIT Press.
  3. David Lewis Lewdall (2011). Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound (4th). Focal Press.
  4. Collins, Karen (2020). Studying Sound: A Theory and Practice of Sound Design (1st). The MIT Press.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
This course includes the introduction to sound design and audio post-production for multimedia. Includes creating and editing sound effects, ADR, Foley, music, and ambience, for multiple visual mediums such as film, TV, video gaming, theatre, and dance.
Prerequisite: MURT 20.