Audio and Sound Course

Lesson 1 • Physics of Sound Waves

Covers compression, rarefaction, wavelength, and wave speed. Establishes the physical vocabulary used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 2 • Room Acoustics and Sound Behavior

Explains reflection, absorption, diffusion, and resonance in enclosed spaces. Prepares students to evaluate any recording or listening environment.

Lesson 3 • The Frequency Spectrum

Maps audible and inaudible frequency ranges and their perceptual qualities. Connects physics to human hearing for practical audio decisions.

Lesson 1 • Mixing Consoles and Preamps

Explains channel strip architecture, gain staging, and bus routing on analog consoles. Connects hardware layout to the signal flow concepts introduced earlier.

Lesson 2 • Amplifiers and Loudspeakers

Covers power amplifier classes, speaker driver types, and crossover networks. Students can match amplifiers to speakers and set appropriate output levels.

Lesson 3 • Microphones and Transducers

Surveys dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphone designs and their polar patterns. Students select the correct microphone for any source and environment.

Lesson 4 • Analog Signal Fundamentals

Defines voltage levels, impedance, and balanced versus unbalanced connections. Grounds students in the electrical behavior of audio signals.

Lesson 1 • Clocking and Synchronization

Explains word clock, jitter, and synchronization between digital devices. Students configure stable digital networks without timing errors.

Lesson 2 • Audio Interfaces and Converters

Evaluates interface architectures, driver models, and converter quality metrics. Students select and configure interfaces for low-latency professional work.

Lesson 3 • Analog-to-Digital Conversion

Covers sampling theory, the Nyquist theorem, and quantization. Establishes why conversion settings directly affect audio quality.

Lesson 1 • Recording and Editing Audio

Covers punch recording, comping, and non-destructive editing techniques. Students capture and assemble clean, performance-ready audio regions.

Lesson 2 • Automation and Session Organization

Explains volume, pan, and plugin parameter automation modes. Organized sessions improve collaboration and revision efficiency.

Lesson 3 • MIDI Sequencing and Editing

Introduces MIDI protocol, piano roll editing, and controller data. Students program realistic instrument performances and automate parameters.

Lesson 1 • Recording Vocals and Acoustic Instruments

Applies placement principles to voice, guitar, piano, and strings. Students adapt technique to source characteristics and room conditions.

Lesson 2 • Stereo Microphone Techniques

Compares XY, ORTF, mid-side, and spaced pair configurations. Students choose stereo techniques based on width, mono compatibility, and phase integrity.

Lesson 3 • Microphone Placement Principles

Covers proximity effect, distance, and angle as variables in tone shaping. Students make deliberate placement decisions rather than relying on guesswork.

Lesson 4 • Recording Drums and Amplified Sources

Covers drum kit miking schemes and guitar and bass amplifier capture. Students handle high-SPL sources and phase alignment across multiple microphones.

Lesson 1 • Equalization in the Mix

Applies subtractive and additive EQ to carve frequency space for each element. Students use EQ to create clarity and separation without tonal damage.

Lesson 2 • Gain Staging and Level Balancing

Establishes proper gain structure from input to master bus before processing. A well-staged mix prevents distortion and preserves headroom for mastering.

Lesson 3 • Panning and Stereo Imaging

Positions elements across the stereo field using pan, width, and imaging tools. Students create spatial separation that enhances mix clarity and depth.

Lesson 4 • Dynamic Processing in Mixing

Covers compression, limiting, gating, and expansion applied to individual tracks. Students control dynamics to achieve consistent energy and punch.

Lesson 1 • Foley Recording and Editing

Introduces Foley stages, prop selection, and performance-to-picture sync. Students record and edit footsteps, cloth, and prop sounds that feel natural on screen.

Lesson 2 • Mixing for Picture and Delivery

Covers stem mixing, loudness standards for broadcast and streaming, and final deliverable formats. Students produce compliant mixes for any distribution platform.

Lesson 3 • Sound Design for Media

Builds original sound effects using synthesis, layering, and processing. Students create signature sounds that define the sonic identity of a project.

Lesson 4 • Dialogue Editing and Cleanup

Covers noise reduction, room tone matching, and ADR integration for spoken word. Clean dialogue is the foundation of all post-production audio work.

Lesson 1 • Sequencing and Album Assembly

Covers track ordering, spacing, fades, and tonal consistency across an album. Students assemble a cohesive listening experience from individual masters.

Lesson 2 • Loudness Standards and Metering

Applies integrated loudness, LRA, and true peak metering to meet platform requirements. Students master to target without sacrificing dynamic range.

Lesson 3 • Mastering Signal Chain

Builds a mastering chain using EQ, compression, saturation, and limiting in sequence. Each processor serves a defined role in the mastering workflow.