Audio Engineering Fundamentals
This course will be a deep dive into important audio engineering and sound production fundamental topics. Knowledge of these topics will improve your skills and confidence in any facet of audio production. The concepts are mostly taught in the music production framework, but the course is intended to be applicable to those interested in film audio, game sound design and podcast recording and editing. The concepts taught are transferable between all of those subcategories of audio engineering.Whether you're just starting out or you've been producing great sounds for a while now I guarantee there will be fundamentals missing from your knowledge base. The overarching topics in this course are Sound Waves, Digital Audio, Analogue Audio Signals, Microphones, Signal Processing and Human Localization of Sounds.Course concepts are demonstrated using Pro Tools, however it is not critical that you following along with or use Pro Tools. The concepts are generic and can be emulated and solidified using any digital audio software. It is encouraged that you follow along with the demonstrations in your own software so that the concepts taught can stick in your mind.Summaries of some of the lessons are downloadable and it is highly encouraged that you download and review these summaries at a later date so that the core concepts can stay with you throughout your audio journey.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- You will obtain a thorough understanding of audio theory fundamentals
- You will be able to use the course content as a springboard with which to improve their creative craft
- You will be able to apply new knowledge and skill to their chosen digital audio workstation
- You will be able to more effectively and confidently conduct audio recordings
- You will be able to apply audio theory in order to troubleshoot audio systems
- You will obtain a thorough understanding of audio theory fundamentals
- You will be able to use the course content as a springboard with which to improve their creative craft
- You will be able to apply new knowledge and skill to their chosen digital audio workstation
- You will be able to more effectively and confidently conduct audio recordings
- You will be able to apply audio theory in order to troubleshoot audio systems
Syllabus
Sound Waves
Sound Waves Continued
Sound Waves and Air Molecules
Multiple Sounds Playing at Once
Read more
Syllabus
The "SM57_310ohm_into_200_1500_3000.wav" file in the downloadable materials section is a short demonstration of the sonic effects of Bridging Impedance. A 310 ohm microphone (the SM57) is fed into 200 ohm, then 1500, then 3000 (each one is separated by a beep)
In the downloadable materials are a string quartet recording of Por Una Cabeza. Representations of different polar patterns have been created so that you can hear and compare the differences.
Good to know
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Activities
Gather and organize all course materials, including notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Show steps
Stay organized and prepared by gathering and organizing all course materials in one place, ensuring easy access and efficient review.
Show steps
-
Create a system for organizing your course materials.
-
Collect all relevant materials from each lesson.
-
Store the materials in a central location.
Review previous knowledge on basic audio engineering and sound production fundamentals
Show steps
Refresh your pre-existing knowledge on audio engineering and sound production fundamentals to prepare for this course and enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on
Sound Waves
Show steps
-
Review your notes or materials from previous courses or workshops on audio engineering and sound production.
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Watch introductory videos or tutorials on these topics to refresh your memory.
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to engage with other students and experts
Show steps
Connect with peers and experts by participating in online forums or discussion groups to exchange ideas, ask questions, and expand your understanding.
Show steps
-
Join relevant online forums or discussion groups.
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Actively participate in discussions by asking questions, sharing insights, and providing feedback.
-
Collaborate with others on projects or experiments.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Create a cheat sheet of important audio engineering and sound production concepts
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of the core concepts of the course by creating a cheat sheet that you can refer to throughout the course.
Show steps
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Identify the key concepts covered in each lesson.
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Summarize the concepts in a concise and easy-to-understand way.
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Organize the concepts into a logical structure.
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Review and refine your cheat sheet regularly.
Write a detailed report summarizing the key concepts covered in each lesson
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by writing detailed reports that summarize the key concepts covered in each lesson, allowing you to review and retain the information more effectively.
Show steps
-
Review the lesson materials and identify the key concepts.
-
Summarize the key concepts in a clear and concise manner.
-
Organize the report in a logical structure.
-
Proofread and refine your report.
Follow video tutorials on specific audio engineering techniques and concepts
Show steps
Supplement your learning by following video tutorials to gain practical insights and strengthen your understanding of specific techniques.
Show steps
-
Identify specific concepts or techniques you want to improve upon.
-
Search for video tutorials that cover these topics in a clear and engaging manner.
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Follow the tutorials step-by-step and experiment with the techniques.
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Practice applying the techniques in your own audio projects.
Attend workshops or seminars on audio engineering and sound production
Show steps
Enhance your learning by attending workshops or seminars to gain practical knowledge, connect with experts, and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Show steps
-
Identify relevant workshops or seminars in your area or online.
-
Register and attend the workshops or seminars.
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Actively participate in the sessions and take notes.
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Follow up with the presenters or other attendees to continue learning.
Conduct experiments with different audio signals and settings to observe their effects
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by experimenting with different audio signals and settings, allowing you to observe their effects and enhance your understanding.
Show steps
-
Set up a simple audio recording or editing environment.
-
Import different types of audio signals, such as sine waves, noise, or music.
-
Experiment with different settings, such as gain, equalization, compression, and effects.
-
Analyze the results and document your observations.
Gather and organize all course materials, including notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Show steps
Stay organized and prepared by gathering and organizing all course materials in one place, ensuring easy access and efficient review.
Show steps
- Create a system for organizing your course materials.
- Collect all relevant materials from each lesson.
- Store the materials in a central location.
Review previous knowledge on basic audio engineering and sound production fundamentals
Show steps
Refresh your pre-existing knowledge on audio engineering and sound production fundamentals to prepare for this course and enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on
Sound Waves
Show steps
- Review your notes or materials from previous courses or workshops on audio engineering and sound production.
- Watch introductory videos or tutorials on these topics to refresh your memory.
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to engage with other students and experts
Show steps
Connect with peers and experts by participating in online forums or discussion groups to exchange ideas, ask questions, and expand your understanding.
Show steps
- Join relevant online forums or discussion groups.
- Actively participate in discussions by asking questions, sharing insights, and providing feedback.
- Collaborate with others on projects or experiments.
Create a cheat sheet of important audio engineering and sound production concepts
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of the core concepts of the course by creating a cheat sheet that you can refer to throughout the course.
Show steps
- Identify the key concepts covered in each lesson.
- Summarize the concepts in a concise and easy-to-understand way.
- Organize the concepts into a logical structure.
- Review and refine your cheat sheet regularly.
Write a detailed report summarizing the key concepts covered in each lesson
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by writing detailed reports that summarize the key concepts covered in each lesson, allowing you to review and retain the information more effectively.
Show steps
- Review the lesson materials and identify the key concepts.
- Summarize the key concepts in a clear and concise manner.
- Organize the report in a logical structure.
- Proofread and refine your report.
Follow video tutorials on specific audio engineering techniques and concepts
Show steps
Supplement your learning by following video tutorials to gain practical insights and strengthen your understanding of specific techniques.
Show steps
- Identify specific concepts or techniques you want to improve upon.
- Search for video tutorials that cover these topics in a clear and engaging manner.
- Follow the tutorials step-by-step and experiment with the techniques.
- Practice applying the techniques in your own audio projects.
Attend workshops or seminars on audio engineering and sound production
Show steps
Enhance your learning by attending workshops or seminars to gain practical knowledge, connect with experts, and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Show steps
- Identify relevant workshops or seminars in your area or online.
- Register and attend the workshops or seminars.
- Actively participate in the sessions and take notes.
- Follow up with the presenters or other attendees to continue learning.
Conduct experiments with different audio signals and settings to observe their effects
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by experimenting with different audio signals and settings, allowing you to observe their effects and enhance your understanding.
Show steps
- Set up a simple audio recording or editing environment.
- Import different types of audio signals, such as sine waves, noise, or music.
- Experiment with different settings, such as gain, equalization, compression, and effects.
- Analyze the results and document your observations.
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