University of Technology Sydney

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 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: MAP and Sound and Music Design
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (((32 credit points of completed study in 32.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): MAJ10062 80cp Music and Sound Design Major OR 32 credit points of completed study in 32.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): MAJ10063 80cp Music and Sound Design Major OR 16 credit points of completed study in spk(s): CBK92349 24cp Creative Arts Primary Specialisation Electives)) 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:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Appropriateness of location recording, automated dialogue replacement, dialogue editing, foley, atmosphere and sound effects 35 a, b, d 1.2
Effectiveness of sound design for medium, technical and aesthetic mixing approaches 35 a, b, d 1.1
Integration of relevant literature and subject readings 15 a, e 6.1
Depth of analysis and adherence to task instructions 15 a, e 1.1
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:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Group Work Criteria: Sound design 0
Technical proficiency of sound design 10 a, c 2.1
Effectiveness of sound design techniques 10 a, c, d 6.1
Creativity of response to the sound design brief 10 c, d 6.1
Collaboration within the group 10 f 1.2
Quality of group work reflection 10 a, e 1.2
Individual Work Criteria: Immersive sound version 0
Technical proficiency of immersive sound mix 10 a, c 2.1
Effectiveness of immersive sound techniques 10 c, d 6.1
Creativity of adapted sound design 10 a, c, d 6.1
Implementation of readings in immersive spatial techniques 10 a, c, d 6.1
Quality of individual reflection 10 a, e 1.2
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