Introduction to Digital Sound Design

Sound has always been a significant part of human experience. It shapes and transforms our everyday world.  Sounds and music are embedded in almost every aspect of daily life, from communication and artistic expression to commerce, politics, and our social and cultural identities.

This course will provide an overview of the fundamental principles of sound and the factors that determine our audio perception. It will explore techniques of recording, mixing, processing, synthesis, sampling, analysis, and editing of digital audio using freely distributed audio production software for both PC and Mac. Students will also learn an array of sound design and editing techniques for use in film and web-based media, art installations, soundscape creations, or live and internet music performances.

Week 1: THE NATURE OF SOUND

Sound

1. The Human Ear
2. The Six Properties of Sound
   Pitch
   Loudness and Amplitude
   Timbre
   Perceived Duration
   Envelope and Articulation
   Spatial Location, Diffusion, Reverberant Environment
3. Timbre and the Overtone Series
4. Music and the Human Condition
5. SOFTWARE Tutorial: Sonic Visualizer
6. Music and the Environment

Recording

1. Microphones
2. Mixer Basics
3. Digital Audio File Formats
4. Musical Instrument Digital Interface MIDI
5. Digital Audio Effects
6. SOFTWARE Tutorial: Audacity Audio Processing

1. Soundation Web-based Digital Audio Workstation
2. Sound Project Using Soundation
3. Tuning and Temperament

1. Logic Pro (Mac only)
2. Avid ProTools
3. Reaktor
4. Kyma
5. Hydrogen
6. Mammut