Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

MM 129: Sound Production

In this introductory course students will learn broad skills in sound production and post production for multiple types of multimedia projects. This includes best practices in field sound recording for various multimedia projects: microphone selection and use, field recorders, on-set multichannel audio recording for film. We will develop skills in post production sound, including sound editing, mixing, sound design, and distribution. Class time will consist of technical and equipment demonstrations, media capture and editing workshops, viewing and discussing of work by diverse and relevant contemporary artists, and time for feedback and critique of students’ work. They will use the skills learned in class to tell their own stories and push their expressive limits.
NOTE: MM 129 is the first audio course in this sequence: MM 129, 126 (Sound for Camera), 200-level post production sound course offered periodically.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn fundamental techniques of recording sound using various microphones and field recording devices

• Learn to record audio in various small-crew narrative filmmaking situations

• Use Adobe software (Audition and Premiere primarily) to edit and mix audio and video

• Learn to use these tools to broaden and increase your skills as a multimedia artist

Instructional Approach

The twice weekly class sections will include: introduction of concepts, participatory demos of recording tools and techniques, audio editing techniques using Adobe Audition, listening to and discussing relevant examples, and in-class review and feedback of students’ work. There will be time for project work in class, but students are also expected to complete work outside of class. Students will be allowed to check out audio recording equipment and will have access to editing software.