Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production (Games) Arts & Performing Arts ASSIGNMENT NO 4 Weeks 18 - 20
Sound Engineer Report Tutor: Amy Miedzwiecki Learner Name
Issue Date: Week Commencing 01/02/16 Full Assignment due at START of lesson: 08/02/16 This assignment covers grading criteria from the following unit: Unit 12 Digital Audio Editing Learning aim B: Understand the technical requirements for digital audio production
AIM/PURPOSE Whichever media sector you are interested in, there is likely to be an audio component involved, and where audio production takes place it is of utmost importance that recorded sound is of the highest quality. This means selecting the correct microphone for the recording, whether it is dialogue, a musical instrument, a sound effect or an electronically generated effect. If the recordings are poor in quality the film, game, or animation will be impacted. THE ASSIGNMENT For this assignment you will be taking on the role of a sound engineer writing a report on all the technical and practical elements of sound recording. You will be exploring all areas of sound from file types, to recording equipment and acoustic environments. Each area is just as important as the other for ensuring that all sound is recorded at the highest quality possible, so that when it combines with visuals it is professional. Your report will be a mixture of primary, practically experimenting with equipment in different environments and online research to perfect the art of sound engineering.This will prepare you for when you start to record and edit sound for yourself.
Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production (Games) Arts & Performing Arts TASKS B.1 Audio industry technology and terminology (Unit 04 2.BP,2.BM,2.BD) Which is the best to use for recording and listening to sound? Provide a definition of each of the following: ● Mono ● Stereo ● Surround sound How does each sound set up impact on each seperate listening experience? Digital audio file formats.What are the most common digital audio file formats suitable for sound editing and what is the difference between them? ● WAV ● AIFF ● MP3 etc Explain what is the difference between uncompressed and compresed files, lossy and lossless and which is best audio file and why? Write the pros and cons for each file type and which one you would recommend. B.2 Recording audio in different environments for different purposes Investigate the audio characteristics of different sound environments. You will need to test Studio, Interior, Exterior acoustic environments and present your finding by covering the following points: ● Basic principles of sound and how it is heard ● An overview of the different types of acoustics ● Studio acoustics ● How the quality of recordings are affected and what can influence the sound within different acoustic environments? B.3 & B.4 Microphones & Professional digital audio recording and editing equipment (Unit 04 2.BP,2.BM,2.BD) Investigate a selection of microphone types and other recording equipment.You will want to consider: ● ● ● ●
Different microphones e.g Dynamic and Boom Microphone polar patterns e.g Omni-directionl and Cardiod Handheld and portable digital audio recorders Sound in-camera
You will need to explain and review the features of common types of microphones and audio recording devices. Think about their suitability for recording sound and explain their relevant characteristics and how they connect to recording equipment.
Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production (Games) Arts & Performing Arts TASKS B.5 Recording techniques and procedures (Unit 04 2.BP,2.BM,2.BD) The final part of being a sound engineer is the consideration of audio recording procedures. You will need to explain clearly the following proceedures you undertake when recording sound including pictures where possible: ● Procedure to ensure that equipment is set up and checked prior to recording ● Monitoring of record levels prior to and during the recording process ● Monitoring of the recorded signal microphone placement to enable the best compromise between signal to be recorded and ambient background noise ● Mounting of microphone on appropriate support ● Procedure for ensuring that the recording starts and ends at appropriate times ● Timing of recordings ● Sound log Why is it important to follow these procedures and what would happen if they weren’t in place? Evaluate why you think this. EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR ASSESSMENT Word document/presentation/blog with supporting photographs and diagrams to be submitted digitally on Its Learning.
Hopwood Hall College BTEC Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production (Games) Arts & Performing Arts Grading Criteria Unit 04 Digital Audio Production Learning aim B: Understand the technical requirements for digital audio production To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show the learner is able to: 2B.P2 Describe the characteristics of interior and exterior recording locations and how they affect the quality of audio recordings. 2B. P3 Describe the different types of microphones, their characteristics and suitability for different acoustic environments. 2B. P4 Describe the different techniques and procedures used when recording audio. To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show the learner is able to: 2B. M2 Explain the characteristics of interior and exterior recording locations and how they affect the quality of audio recordings. 2B. M3 Explain the different types and construction of microphones, their characteristics and suitability for different acoustic environments. 2B. M4 Explain the different techniques and procedures used when recording audio. To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: 2B. D2 Analyse the characteristics of interior and exterior recording locations and how they affect the quality of audio recordings. 2B. D3 Compare the different types and construction of microphones, their characteristics, justifying their use in different acoustic environments. 2B. D4 Evaluate the importance of different techniques and procedures used when recording audio.
Hopwood Hall College BTEC Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production (Games) Arts & Performing Arts This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose Assessor Date Signature Internal Verifier Date Signature Action Plan to be completed by
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