Avid Pro Tools 130: Pro Tools for Game Audio

This course provides students with exposure to the core skills, workflow, and concepts involved in creating and implementing game audio using Pro Tools systems. It covers basic sound design techniques along with example workflows. Session time is divided between demonstration and hands-on practice, with ample time to experiment with sample material.

This course is designed for end-users with basic Pro Tools skills, including:

• Musicians
• Sound Editors
• Multimedia Producers, or anyone wishing to become involved in sound for games and interactive media.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Create your first session
• Make your first audio recording
• Import media into your session
• Make your first MIDI recording
• Select and navigate
• Apply basic and mixed editing techniques
• Finish your work

• Practical working knowledge of Mac OS X
• Avid Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools class or equivalent experience
• Avid Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools class or equivalent experience 

Note: The curricula below comprise activities typically covered in a class at this skill level. The instructor may, at his/her discretion, adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the class.

Lesson 1: Understanding the Game Audio Workflow

• Understanding the Players
• Understanding the Workflow
• Assessing Audio Requirements
• Acquiring Sound
• Editing Game Audio
• Processing Game Audio
• Mastering Sounds
• Exporting Game Audio
• Implementing Game Audio

Lesson 2: Working with Dialogue

• Understanding Game Dialogue

• Understanding the Types of Game Dialogue

  • Creating Scripts

• Recording Dialogue

• Dialogue-Recording Concepts

• Editing Dialogue

• Capturing Clips

  • Timeline Drop Order

• Processing Dialogue

• Using a Compressor

  • Using a De-Esser

• Master Dialogue

• TDM/RTAS Maxim

Lesson 3: Working with Foley

• Understanding Foley

• Categories of Foley Sounds

  • Assessing Foley Requirements

• Recording Foley

• Listen Mics

  • Pro Tools Settings

• Editing Foley

• Tab to Transients

  • Nudging
  • Separate Clips
  • Key Shortcuts
  • Batch Fades

• Mastering Foley

• AudioSuite Maxim

• Implementing Foley

Lesson 4: Working with Sound Effects

• Understanding Sound Effects

• Assessing Sound Effects Requirements

• Acquiring Sound Effects

• Browsing Sound Libraries

  • Using Synthesis to Create Sound Effects

• Editing Sound Effects

• Layering Sound Elements

  • Arranging Sound Elements

• Processing Sound Effects

• AudioSuite

  • TDM/RTAS

• Basic Plug-In Automation

• Enabling Plug-In Parameters for Automation

  • Automating Plug-In Parameters in the Track View

• Mastering Sound Effects

• Exporting Sound Effects

Lesson 5: Working with Backgrounds

• Understanding Backgrounds

• Assessing Background Requirements

• Acquiring Backgrounds

• Field Recording

• Editing Backgrounds

• Using the Edit Selection Indicators

  • Trimming a Clip to a Selection
  • Nudging a Clip's Contents
  • Backgrounds and Batch Fades
  • Using Strip Silence Extract
  • Dynamic Transport
  • Workflow for Creating Loopable Clips
  • Repeat the Clip

• Mastering Backgrounds

Lesson 6: Working with Music

• Understanding Game Music

• Game Music Terminology

  • Accessing Music Requirements
  • Creating Interactive Arrangements

• Acquiring Game Music

• Browsing Music Libraries

• Editing Music

• Using Identity Beat

  • Using Elastic Audio for Tempo Matching
  • Using Clip Groups
  • Using Shuffle Mode

Lesson 7: Working with Vehicle Sounds

• Understanding Vehicle Sounds

• Assessing Vehicle Sound Requirements

• Acquiring Vehicle Sounds

• Recording Vehicle Sounds

  • Location Scouting
  • Microphone Selection
  • Microphone Placement
  • Naming Channels
  • Slate
  • Recording Duration

• Editing Vehicle Sounds

• Edit Groups

  • Mixing Engine Source Elements
  • Output Windows
  • Writing Static Automation
  • Trimming Automation Playlists

Lesson 8: Working with Cinematics

• Understanding Cinematics

• The "Food" Groups

  • Assessing Cinematic Requirements
  • Memory Locations

• Acquiring Cinematic Elements

• Using Catalogs in DigiBase

  • Working with Digital Video

• Editing Cinematic Audio

• Showing and Hiding Tracks

  • Deactivating Tracks
  • Editing with Playlists

• Mixing Cinematic Audio

• Post-Production Signal Flow

  • I/O Setup
  • Track Setup
  • Using Sends for Plug-In Processing
  • Basic Dynamic Automation
  • Loudness Calibration
  • Multiple Monitoring Systems