Diploma in Audio Production.

Module 1 - Introduction to Audio Production

• Bandwidth of Sound
• Challenges/Resistance to production investment
• Sonic Branding
• Resources
• The exam/qualification
• Q&A plus requests

Module 2 - Radio Production and Audio Theory

• Waveform, amplitude, frequency, phase, loudness, signal to noise
• Introduction to Digital Audio
• Sampling frequency, bit-rate, codecs
• Audio quality discussion, how good is good enough?
• Listening

Module 3 - Recording VO Artists and Musicians

• Microphones : Mic choice, polar patterns, placement, technique and hardware
• Mic/line input channel : Pre-amp, EQ, dynamics, meters, noise floor
• Recording  : Input and output level, gain stages, distortion, breath control, EQ, dynamics control

Module 4 - DAWS for Radio/Podcast Production

• Adobe Audition Pro, Pro Tools, Apple Logic, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live
• Recording and DAW : input select, level, latency and monitoring
• DAW settings : Frequency and Bit rate
• Hardware considerations
• Storage and Backup
• Timeline and timing, meters and tempo
• Headphones : Good and Bad, hardward solutions, headphone mixes v studio

Module 5 - Radio Commericial Tracking

• Naming channels, files, auxs etc
• General file handling
• Tracking : Recording styles and techniques, looping, comping, punch in/out
• Tracking : Saving and save backup
• Performance production
• Discussion, knowing what you want and when you've got it

Module 6 - Radio/Podcast Creativity

• Writing and Briefing for radio commercials/podcasts
• Where do ideas come from
• Speed-creation techniques
• Digital non-linear gives us option to record first, compose later
• MIDI and Virtual Instruments, quantisation, lopps etc
• Basic synthesis
• Sonic Brand Triggers
• Briefing musicians

Module 7 - Editing Radio Ads and Podcasts

• Basic editing functions, non-linera techniques, cutting, trimming, clip functionality
• Editing : Comping, clip gain, normalisation, fades and cross fades
• Editing : Arrangement, re-arrangement,/remixing
• Advanced editing intro : Compansion, time constraints
• Advanced editing intro : Pitch correction/manipulation, format control, Melodyne, Auto-tune etc
• Advanced Editing : ADR and auto alignment
• Advanced editing : Post Production, de-noise, de-reverb etc

Module 8 - Mixing Radio Ads and Podcasts

• Mixing: Starting the mix, meters, gain staging.
• Mixing: Plug-ins, what goes where and why?
• Mixing: EQ and dynamics.
• Mixing: Reverb and time domain effects.
• Mixing: Intro to automation.
• Mixing: Mix Referencing.

Module 9 - Mixing - Mastering Radio and Podcasts

• Mixing: Parallel processing.
• Mixing: Automation.
• Mixing: When is a mix finished?
• Mixing: Output stage, bouncing and filetypes.

Module 10 - Q&A plus Assignment Presentation

• Pre-Exam Content Assessment
• Interview Preparation
• Content Check

Course details updated 30th March 2022