Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for MM 246 Winter 2025


Course Number:
MM 246
Course Title:
Post-Production Sound for Video
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture/Lab Hours:
40
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces the practice of sound editing for video projects. Examines multiple methods and workflows including synchronization of sound with picture, modification to maximize intelligibility, dialog replacement, the creation, collection and use of sound effects and music, mixing, and conforming sound to distribution standards. Prerequisites: MM 235 or instructor permission. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate industry-standard techniques essential to a workflow of sound editing for video through finalized delivery.
  • Design sound effects and modifications of recordings to increase the realism and impact of sound tracks.
  • Edit and compress audio for use in various delivery modes of digital media using standard digital video editing software.
  • Evaluate digital audio projects, identify items for improvement, and implement changes.

Course Activities and Design

The material in this course will be presented in a classroom lecture/discussion/demonstration format, and in class handson exercises.
There will be short assignments weekly, which may be partially completed inclass. Also, a longer assignment, which demonstrates techniques and skills, developed in the course.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Projects will be the major criteria for evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, presentations, meeting assigned deadlines, and participation in critiques. Additional methods of assessment may include quizzes, exercises, assignments, and attendance.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes
· Layering audio by mixing location recordings, voiceovers, ambient sound, sound
effects and music.
· Developing workflows that support creativity, quality, and efficiency.
· Writing audio story for existing video to communicate new ideas.
Concepts, Issues & Skills
Setting Up an Editing System:
· Nonlinear editing software for audio
· Monitoring & room acoustics
· Plugins for editing & effects
· Setups for surround sound
Workflow:
· Acquisition of dialog, ambience, incidental effects from a shoot.
· Dialog replacement.
· Acquisition of ambience & effects, foley.
· Acquisition, mastering & distribution codecs.
· Ideal levels for audio recording.
· Understanding Analog vs Digital metering.
· Cleaning up and enhancing a dialog sequence through use of trimming, room tone, EQ, gating, compression.
· Adding voiceover, music & effects.
· Dealing with bad recordings.
· The 3d sound field.
· Using compressors, reverbs, EQ, gates, ducking, and other tools.
· Noise Reduction.
· Mixing
Mastering for Distribution:
· Sub mixes and stems, multilanguage programs.
· Conforming to DVD standards, PCM and AC3.
· Conforming to online distribution standards.
· Uncompressed, audibly lossless, and lossy compression.