Sound Design MA

What we hear is just as important as what we see. In this hands-on course you will learn the most important elements of creating effective, dynamic sound design for film: recording and editing dialog, sound effects, music and more - then add effects and do a final mix - all in synchronization with video. Learn the art and craft of sound design!

Avid Pro Tools is the most widely used sound and music production system in the world. This course introduces Pro Tools and prepares you to take the official level-1 Pro Tools Specialist Certification exam.

As an incoming graduate student, you'll get an industry overview of soundtrack production for media, learn foundational concepts, and learn strategies for success in the MUS curriculum and in your midpoint and final review.

Audio production skills are key to success in the media industry. In this course you will learn recording, microphones, signal flow, audio editing and more. Gain experience in recording voice, instruments, and how to combine elements to create balanced mixes.

Successful video games rely on realistic and compelling sound content. To build skills in audio production for game design, you'll record and edit audio assets like voice, sound effects and music, while learning how to put audio into a game engine utilizing middleware. (This course is cross-listed with MUS 317.)

In this course you will learn crucial music editing skills that combine the artistic and the technical. Emphasizing aesthetics, you will practice creating musical moods for visual media clips by editing existing music sources and use advanced techniques to synchronize and edit music to picture.

Sound design is a powerful storytelling tool. Increase your abilities in audio editing, psychoacoustics, plug-ins and mixing to develop soundtracks based on script and character analysis. You'll also collaborate intelligently with directors, editors, and composers.(This course is cross-listed with MUS 320.)

Explore the world of experimental sound design and sound synthesis. Learn classic techniques like subtractive, additive, and FM synthesis and use tools like Logic Alchemy. Enjoy abstract uses of sound and music, audio art installations, and experimental technology. Discover how sound synthesis and experimentation will help you gain a larger and more creative perspective to enrich your career as a sonic artist. (This course is cross-listed with MUS 425.)

Develop your demo reel and portfolio materials in preparation to enter the soundtrack for media industry. You'll build a professional demo reel that demonstrates your abilities as a music creator or sound designer that effectively supports the narrative and emotional content of visual media. Professional practices in the entertainment media industry are also emphasized.