module specification

In this module you will be introduced the production of sound and effects used in media products such as games, films, and mobile apps. The module will facilitate your development of key skills and knowledge in sound design and audio post-production.

The module is structured around a staged development of the key principles of sound and media, leading on to developing your practice with sound synthesis, design of sound effects for games, films and mobile apps, as well as recording of original sounds, location, ADR and effects to support interactivity, narrative and action.

The module is designed to facilitate the transition into undergraduate study by encouraging critical engagement and the development of basic skills and competencies in the realm of Sound and Media.

This module aims to:
• To provide students with the basic knowledge in the use of sound in media products.
• To develop students’ understanding of the roles in the production of sound for use in media products, key terminology, practices and skills.
• To introduce students to methods for describing their working processes and to present work-in-progress for different audiences.
• To develop students’ ability to be analytical, reflective and critical, through analysing reference works as well as their own productions.

Therefore, by the end of the module you will have developed an understanding of a range of sound creation scenarios that might exist in a typical portfolio for someone working in the audio-visual industry.

• Introduction to Sound Design and post-production and the roles involved (LO1, 2)
• Sound used to support media products (LO1, 3, 4)
• Recording and production techniques for effects and foley (LO1, 2, 3, 4)
• Editing and treatments LO1, 3, 4)
• Creativity and problem solving for sound effects creation (LO1, 3, 4)
• Working with different media file formats (LO1, 2)
• Digital audio workstation (DAW) techniques (LO1, 3, 4)

The balance between independent study and scheduled teaching activities within this module is 70% and 30% respectively.

Scheduled teaching follows the average contact time, per standard 30-credit module across the University, at 90 hours (3 hours per week). The scheduled teaching is divided in Lectures, Workshops and Demonstrations and they take place in the Music IT Lab, Foley Studio and Video Suites.

Independent study provides students with the opportunity to develop LO5 – Experience working collaboratively and individually towards improving their understanding of sound design and audio post-production.

Students have extensive access to the Music IT Lab supported by Foley Studio and Video Suites access monitored by teaching and technical staff, besides of the Library facilities at London Met. Blended Learning is maintained via Weblearn Course and Module pages with full documentation of the activities developed in class. Opportunities for reflective learning/PDP are promoted through feedback and written reports, embedded in all assessments with emphasis on reflection of their work. Formative assessment is planned with comprehensive feedback to address the learning development needs of the student cohort and to capture their learning achievements with a regular request of reflective commentaries in all written submissions.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate knowledge and basic understanding of the of the use of sound in media products.
LO2. Apply principles of sound design working with different media file types.
LO3. Develop skills in problem solving for sound effects creation, location and dialogue recording and production techniques for effects and foley sounds.
LO4. Design and produce sound effects for a range of media applications.
LO5. Utilise collaborative and individual working practices, towards improving their understanding of sound design and audio post-production.

Group Presentation – 15% weighting
The first assessment is a group presentation, examining a media product and the creative uses of sound design in its production. For example, a mobile phone application, advertisement, or computer game.

Track-laying tasks and 750-word report – 35%
In the Midterm assessment students are required to produce the soundtrack for a 3 different media clips, circa 20-seconds each, using a provided sound library and track-laying. The sounds should be well synchronised to the moving image and investigate audio processing approaches explored in the first semester. In addition, students are required to keep an up-to-date project diary (circa 750-words) to be submitted with the practical outcome.

Group Final Project Sound Design and individual 1000-word report – 50%
In the final project, students are required to work in pairs to complete the sound design for a 2-minute video clip taken from either, advert, film, TV, game, or motion graphics video. The clip must be approved by the module tutor by week 22. In addition to the group practical outcome, students are required to submit and individual 1000-word technical report.

Core Reading:

• Corey, J. and Benson, D.H. (2017) Audio production and critical listening: technical ear training. Second edition. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group (Audio Engineering Society presents).
• Sonnenschein, D., (2001) Sound design: the expressive power of music, voice, and sound effects in cinema, Michael Wiese Productions, Studio City, California
• Viers, R. (2008) The sound effects bible: how to create and record Hollywood style sound effects. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.
• Woodhall, W. (2011) Audio production and post-production, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Sudbury, Massachusetts

Websites:
• Freesound. Available at: https://freesound.org/
• BBC sound effects. Available at: https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/
• Sound Bible. Available at: https://soundbible.com/

Podcasts:
• Twenty Thousand Hertz. Available at: https://www.20k.org/

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F6B27078-2FC8-E53D-7050-2FC09CE6A699.html?lang=en-GB&login=1