Field Recording

When offered, this (3-day) course is designed for the novice as an introduction to sound recording and post-production. Its main focus is to show how field recording can capture raw and unprocessed sounds. Everything from microphones to software will be covered over the two days. Participants will make contact mics and pop screens for use during field recordings. Exercises will be assigned at the end of the first day for use in class during the second day. The goal of the class is to make something and even create a finished work. Sony noise-cancelling headphones, a Zoom H1 recorder, a windscreen, a tripod, and a carrying case will be supplied to participants for use over the two days. Participants should bring their own laptops.

Studio Recording

This is not a workshop to prepare a student for a career as an audio engineer or working in the music industry. This workshop prepares one to produce music and sound and use it creatively in compositions. In this class, you will learn how to mix, effect and manipulate sound within a studio environment. The workshop will also cover vocal recording, foley work and basic editing using Logic and Ableton. It is recommended that the participants take the field recording workshop before starting this workshop.

Post-Production

In this workshop, you'll learn the fundamental technical skills necessary to begin a career in screen sound, both as a location sound recordist and post-production sound designer. As film’s narrative relies on the precise partnership between image and sound, we will cover 2 basic software packages, Ableton and Logic and discover the wonderful world of 3rd party plugins that will add amazing effects and instrumentation to your compositions.

Through recording and design, you'll investigate what it means to listen with awareness and to translate that experience to your audience. And you'll study how sound is created, how you can manipulate its form, whether natural, synthesized, digitized or analogue, and how to work with sound as a storytelling medium.