Sound for Visual Media.

Providing you with a solid foundation in the basics of how sound works, this module will give you a key understanding of not only how sound propagates through different mediums but also of topics such as microphones, acoustics and reverberation. With practical examples used throughout, you will learn how to capture the best possible source material when making recordings both in and out of the studio.

One of the most critical aspects of any audio post production mix is being able to understand and work to a specific set of technical standards. This module goes into detail about all of the current loudness specifications for TV broadcast, online streaming and cinema. Using industry standard software, you will gain an in depth understanding of how to use loudness metering to ensure that your mixes are on spec every time.

Whether it’s the sound of a space ship landing, two dinosaurs doing battle or just a believable ambience of a neighbourhood, the right sound effects are crucial to the narrative of any visual media. In the sound design module you will learn how to create, layer and manipulate sound effects to bring stories to life in a way which draws the viewer in and helps to create a much more engaging experience.

All modern movies and the majority of online streaming content is now created in surround sound. Utilising industry standard Pro Tools software and the Avid S6 control surface, you will be shown how to craft a mix in 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound. Using the calibrated mixing facilities at Spirit Studios, you’ll get the hands on experience required to be able to competently take on film mix projects for delivery in up to 7.1 surround.

Much of the dialogue you hear in a feature film is replaced in post, either because of excessive noise on the original recordings or because of issues with the performance. In this module you will learn how to use a variety of industry standard software tools to reduce noise in dialogue recordings and also to loop record and replace location dialogue with new recordings in perfect sync with the picture. As with all of the modules, practice projects will be provided for you to work with along the way.

Creating sound effects from scratch, in sync with picture is both a skill and an art. In this module you’ll learn, through tutor demonstration and practical hands-on experience, how to make believable sounding foley effects. From footsteps to cloth movement to almost anything an actor on screen might move or interact with in a scene, you will be shown how to go about crafting foley sounds which compliment the on-screen action and blend with the location recordings.