Overview
In this unit, you will explore the fundamentals of sound design including sampling, synthesis and signal processing. You will create your own sound library of effects and apply them to the synchronised sound design of visual content.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Describe music technology fundamentals associated with sampling and signal processing
- Demonstrate music technology fundamentals associated with sampling and signal processing
- Critically analyse own practices to gain a better understanding of the creative process.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | |||
| 2 - Portfolio - 50% | |||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 20% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 20% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Ableton Live software
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.preece@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Module 1 - Recording
Introduction to sound design
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 1 - Recording
Field Recording
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 1 - Recording
Studio Recording
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1
Module/Topic
Module 1 - Recording
Sampling and layering recordings
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 2 - Synthesis and Sampling
Types of synthesis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 2 - Synthesis and Sampling
Using synthesis to create sound effects
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 2
In Class Test(s) Due: Week 6 Monday (23 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Module 2 - Synthesis and Sampling
MIDI and virtual instruments
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 2 - Synthesis and Sampling
Sampling and music loops
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 3 - Applied sound design
Spotting session and importing video into your DAW
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 3
Module/Topic
Module 3 - Applied sound design
Building the sonic world
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 3 - Applied sound design
Working with music
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 3 - Applied sound design
Final mix and exporting media
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2: Portfolio due
Sound Library Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: Reflective Journal due
Reflective Journal Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (13 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The teaching of this unit will be based on Ableton Live software. A free 90-day trial version of the software is available from ableton.com
1 In-class Test(s)
Assessment one of CART11010 is comprised of a series of three online quizzes undertaken online in weeks three, six, nine and relate to the Production component of the Unit. Questions may be short or long answer or any other. Marks are assigned based on the difficulty of the question and the format.
- Some questions will assess materials from the readings or the lectures (online or in-person).
- A time limit of thirty minutes will be assigned.
- Questions will be drawn completely from the production component of the unit
Week 6 Monday (23 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Tests will be held during normal class times in weeks 3, 6 and 9
Week 11 Friday (1 Oct 2021)
Quiz 1 (Week 3) will cover material from Weeks 1-3 and is worth 5 marks
Quiz 2 (Week 6) will cover material from Weeks 4-6 and is worth 5 marks
Quiz 3 (Week 9) will cover material from Weeks 7-9 and is worth 5 marks
- Describe music technology fundamentals associated with sampling and signal processing
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
2 Portfolio
Assessment task:
In this assessment, you are assigned the role of sound designer and will be responsible for the creation of the sonic environment of a visual production. Over the term, you will create a library of sounds that will culminate in the sound design of a visual production. You will use a range of skills including sampling, synthesis and recording to sculpt the sounds. The visual material will be supplied to you by your lecturer.
The assessment will be constructed in Portfolium and presented as a portfolio piece.
Submission requirements:
1. A sound library that includes the following folders with at least 5 sounds per folder:
- Atmospheres
- Foley
- Sound Effects
- Impacts
- Music loops
2. A synced export of the final sound design exported according to the submission guidelines in Moodle.
Assessment notes
All sounds must be produced by the student using music production software.
All sound files must be the highest quality possible
- .wav format
- At least 44.1kHz sample rate
- 24-bit depth
Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (22 Oct 2021)
· Production complies with the requirements of the task - Production contains a sound library of sounds that include, impacts, atmospheres, foley, sound effects and music.
· Recordings should be free from extraneous noise and distortion. Audio edits are applied effectively.
· Sound effects and samples are all original
· Final synced export demonstrates a coherent sonic design
· Presentation and Project Handling
· Production should be saved and exported according to the submission guidelines and not contain any missing files.
- Demonstrate music technology fundamentals associated with sampling and signal processing
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
3 Reflective Practice Assignment
You are required to submit a reflective journal describing the creative process behind your major portfolio work and reflecting upon any issues encountered. This report may be in the form of a weekly reflective journal and be no more than 1000 words in length.
Your Reflective Report:
- Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
- Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
- May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
- Must adhere to the CQ University APA Style Guide
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (13 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (22 Oct 2021)
Appropriate documentation of the project showing work completed on a week by week basis (25%)
Identification of specific challenges and analysis of methods used to meet these challenges (25%)
Demonstration of reflective and analytic thinking (25%)
Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and use of APA referencing (25%)
- Critically analyse own practices to gain a better understanding of the creative process.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
