50820 Sound Design
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (((32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10062 80cp Music and Sound Design Major OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10063 80cp Music and Sound Design Major)) OR 50817 Audio and Music Production )
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides students with creative concepts, histories, philosophies and production techniques involved in professional sound design as practiced in television, film, animation, radio, games, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. The subject aims to develop students' conceptual and technical skills including advanced specialised location recording, automated dialogue replacement, dialogue editing, foley, atmosphere, sound effects, as well as multi-channel, immersive and binaural sound production approaches. There is a focus on three-dimensional sound creation, recording, editing and mixing. The subject also covers advanced microphone techniques, multi-channel and immersive microphone array techniques, post-production workflows and advanced psychoacoustics.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Analyse the techniques utilised in TV, film, radio, animation, games, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality sound design |
|---|---|
| b. | Develop techniques in recording and mixing sound for TV, film and radio |
| c. | Evaluate the aesthetic, technical and collaborative considerations in games, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) sound design |
| d. | Identify and implement narrative and/or emotive approaches with sound |
| e. | Reflect and communicate on their technical and conceptual practice |
| f. | Ability to work effectively in a team within a creative and technical context |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Graduates possess a well-developed awareness of culture and professional practice of music and sound in the context of the technological and creative industries (1.1)
- Graduates are able to present, explain and evaluate their own and others' work in independent and collaborative contexts (1.2)
- Graduates are reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative (2.1)
- Graduates possess reflective and analytical skills enabling them to synthesise ideas from a diverse range of sources and communicate effectively to different audiences using appropriate media and modes (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The teaching and learning strategies in this subject rely on a shared commitment by students and teaching staff. Delivery includes face-to-face, online and ‘in the field’ activities, with the effectiveness of these determined by each student’s regular participation. The subject includes a mixture of collaborative in class exercises and interactive educational resources, while also providing institutional support and guidance. Students are required to engage with online, pre-class learning materials before coming to tutorials, with the best experiences gained when all come prepared and engaged.
Content (topics)
The content in this subject contributes to a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the creative concepts, histories, philosophies and production techniques involved in professional sound design as utilised in TV, film, radio, animation, games, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. Key theoretical and conceptual topics include psychoacoustics, synchronisation, narrative and emotive approaches with sound. Technical and industry standards for sound mixing in TV, film and radio will be covered, as will emerging approaches in VR, AR and MR. Aesthetic and technical approaches for immersive sound, ambisonics, and object-based audio will be explored.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Sound Design Task
| Objective(s): | a, b, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2 minutes and 500-word report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Immersive Sound Design Project
| Objective(s): | a, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 5 minutes, 1000-word group report, and 1000-word individual report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
It is essential to attempt all assessment tasks to pass the subject as each assessment meets unique subject learning objectives.
Required texts
Roginska, A., & Geluso, P. (Ed) (2018): Immersive Sound: The Art and Science of Binaural and Multi-Channel Audio, 1st ed., Routledge, New York, USA