General information


Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Maddalena Fedele

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

Teaching staff: 

Angel Valverde Vilabella
Angel Valverde Vilabella 

Skills


Specific skills
  • E9_Apply the mechanical, electronic and digital principles of sound capture, amplification and recording for application to different platforms: shows, radio, television, audiovisual and multimedia. Postproduce the audio and add the sound effects of an audiovisual production

  • E10_Apply processes, methods and techniques to develop creativity and innovation in audiovisual production, multimedia development and video game programming

Transversal competences
  • T2_That students have the ability to work as members of an interdisciplinary team either as one more member, or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments taking into account the available resources

Description


This subject is the last of the sound material and its main objective is, as its name suggests, to know how to do the sound post-production of an audiovisual production. In previous subjects, contents of sound and sound production and music and music production have been worked on; now we seek to combine the audio elements we have by improving their quality and adapting them to the needs of a production. It is important that the student accesses the subject with the consolidated knowledge of the previous subjects of the subject.

Learning outcomes


- Use the equalization and dynamics parameters from a corrective point of view.

- Identify and correct the noise generated by recording systems

- Solve mastering in musical and audiovisual environments (radio, TV, internet, cinema).

- Apply sound analysis tools.

- Creatively look for the sound elements necessary for their goal and apply creativity.

- Manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualization of data and information in the field of the specialty and critically evaluate the results of this management.

Working methodology


The course combines theoretical classes in the classroom and practical classes in the laboratory in a 2: 1 ratio. In the theoretical classes the teacher presents concepts and examples while encouraging student participation while in the practical classes students make use of specialized audio post-production software in various situations proposed in the various practices.

In general, attendance at theoretical and practical classes is highly recommended but not mandatory, although the teacher may establish some compulsory attendance sessions (prior notice), so the student must have time availability to attend both theoretical and practical classes. All compulsory attendance sessions will be linked to an activity, so non-attendance at any of these sessions will imply the qualification of “Not Presented” to the linked activity.

The materials will be published on the virtual campus. Notices to students will also be made by this means; it is the student's responsibility to consult this virtual space regularly.

For a correct use of the subject the student must foresee a total dedication of 150 hours (hours of class + dedication out of class).

Contents


1. Postproduction of sound elements.

Introduction to post-production

Panning

Cuts and chains

Noise elimination / reduction. Analysis with spectrograms

Reverberation

Delays and echoes

Alterations of pitch and time (pitchshift, timestretch)

Distortions

Modulators

Other effects and combined effects

 

2. Mastering.

Introduction to mastering. Analysis with vectorscopes

Equalizers. Analysis with frequency graphs

Dynamics and normalization control

Compressors and limiters

Expanders and noise doors

 

3. Multichannel audio.

Introduction to multichannel audio

Surround settings

Matrix envelope formats

Digital formats

Post-production and mastering of multichannel audio

Surround sound reproduction. Advanced techniques

Formats and interfaces. State of the art

Learning activities


1. Final exam

It consists of 8 short answer questions. It is individual in nature.

Duration: 1 hour

2. Presentation

Each group of 4 students makes a presentation that they will later have to present in class. The last theory classes will be devoted to these presentations. The subject explained will be assessable for all students within the final exam. The topic can be chosen by the student in the field of audio post-production (the teacher will provide a list). The presentation must be specific to the members of the group and will be made available to all students. To be evaluated of the presentation it will be necessary to choose the subject and to deliver the presentation in the indicated terms and to make the presentation the assigned day.

Duration: 15/20 minutes per group

3. Foley practice (2 sessions of 2 hours each)

In this practice a video will be provided to the students and they will have to incorporate the appropriate Foley effects. The practice is carried out in groups of 4 students, which must be set on the day of the first session, which is compulsory.

4. Post-production practice (1 or 2 sessions of 2 hours each)

In this practice several audio tracks will be provided and students will have to post-produce the material. The practice is carried out in groups of 4 students, which must be set on the day of the first session, which is compulsory.

5. Sound design practice in video games (5 or 6 sessions of 2 hours each)

In this practice the sound requirements of a video game will be provided and students will have to respond to this need. The practice is done in groups of 4 students, which must be set up before the start of the practice (the teacher will give directions). In the last session the students will present the work done and in one of the intermediate sessions the students will make a preliminary presentation of the work done. These 2 sessions and the first session will be compulsory attendance.

 

Evaluation system


The theoretical part is evaluated with a final exam and a presentation that the students will make. The practical part is evaluated with some practice deliveries.

The weight is proportional to the expected dedication to the activities. Thus, the exam represents 50%, the presentation 10%, the Foley practice 10%, the post-production practice 10% and the sound design practice 20%.

All activities must be delivered on time. Any activity not delivered within the deadline will have a rating of "Not Presented". It is recommended not to wait until the last day of the deadline to have reaction time in the event of unforeseen events.

To pass the course you must obtain a minimum grade of 4 in the final exam. If the mark is lower than 4, the subject will be suspended, with the mark of the final exam.

A resit test will be offered (extraordinary call) in the case of the final exam for those students who do not pass the whole subject. The other activities cannot be recovered. The weight of the activities will be maintained.

The total or partial copy in any of the learning activities would mean a “Not Presented” in the subject, without option to present to the extraordinary announcement and without prejudice of the opening of a file for this reason.

The teacher may request a personalized presentation of the activities either to clarify general aspects or to individualize the grades of the students.

REFERENCES


Basic

Katz, Bob; Katz, Robert. (2014). “Mastering audio: the art and the science”. Focal Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Complementary

Holman, Tomlinson. (2014). "Surround sound: up and running". CRC Press.

Waddell, Gebre. (2013). "Complete audio mastering: practical techniques". McGraw.

Rose, Jay. (2009). “Audio postproduction for film and video 2nd ed.”. Elsevier.