Topic outline

  • General


    Beginning Recording Techniques

    BRT - 101

    Beginning Recording Techniques provides students with the foundation to the fundamentals of recording procedures, techniques and equipment used to create, capture and manipulate sounds. Concepts such as defining what audio is, signal flow, patch bays, signal processors, microphones, consoles and other studio basics are taught.

  • Introduction / Orientation

    • Sound

      Sound Waves
      Understanding the anatomy of sound

      • Microphone Design

        Microphone Diaphragm

        Understanding how acoustic sound waves are converted into analog electrical signal

        • Session flow, Signal flow

          Mixing Console

          Understanding how signal flows around the "console"

          • Cables, Patchbay & Metering

            Patchbays

            Connecting and re-routing signal all across the studio     

            • Amps Pt 1

              Mic Pre-Amp

              Understanding how analog signal is manipulated

              • Amps Pt 2

                Inside a Mic Pre-Amp

                DI Boxes, Impedance, and Groundloops

                • Test 1

                  Test

                  Putting together all of the most important concepts up to this point             

                  • EQ 1

                    Digital EQ

                    The technical aspects of tonal shaping

                    • Read Pages 411-420 in The Modern Recording Techniques book.

                  • EQ 2

                    Sony EQ

                    Looking at examples of types of EQ and different possible applications 

                    • Dynamics I

                      Fairchild Compressor

                      Understanding the tools we use to manipulate the range between loud and quiet

                        • Read pages 420-431 in the Modern Recording Techniques book.

                    • Dynamics II

                      Fairchild Compressor

                      Understanding the tools we use to manipulate the range between loud and quiet

                      • Time Based Effects 1

                        Digital Reverb

                        Understanding the anatomy and the controls of reverb, delay, flanging, chorusing and others

                        • Time Based Effects II

                          Reverb, Chorus, Flanger

                          Understanding the anatomy and the controls of reverb, delay, flanging, chorusing and others

                          • Test 2

                            Test

                            Putting together all of the most important concepts up to this point             


                            • Microphone Techniques

                              Microphone Placement

                              Understanding special mic techniques, placement and terminology     

                              • Read pages 125-130, 132-165 in The Modern Recording Techniques book

                            • Analog Tape, Noise Reduction

                              Analogue Tape Machine

                              Understanding the science behind the tonal characteristics of an analog signal path     

                            • Digital Technology

                              Pro Tools Editing

                              The specifics of the science around how digital recording and editing work     

                              • Synchronization

                                Pro Tool Automation

                                Learning the history and practice of synchronizing multiple transports together

                                • Read pages 371-388 in The Modern Recording Techniques book

                              • Studio Design

                                Large Console Recording Studio

                                The science behind proper studio acoustics

                                • Review For Final Exam

                                  • Review and mixing/editing questions

                                • Final Exam

                                  Music Production Test

                                  Putting together all of the most important concepts up to this point

                                  • Final Exam Grade and Review

                                    Test

                                    Putting together all of the most important concepts up to this point