Diploma in Sound Engineering
Module: Sound Engineering 3A
Module Code: SE 310
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION ............................ 2
STUDY UNIT 2: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT ................................................................... 3
STUDY UNIT 3: RECORDING AND TRACKING .............................................................. 9
STUDY UNIT 4: THE DIGITAL STUDIO RE-VISITED .................................................... 14
STUDY UNIT 5: MICROPHONES ................................................................................... 19
STUDY UNIT 6 :THE RECORDING PLATFORM ........................................................... 21
STUDY UNIT 7: COMPUTER RECORDING & SOUND QUALITY ................................. 23
STUDY UNIT 8: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION AND Q&A REVISION ...... 25
STUDY UNIT 9: EFFECTS AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS ............................................. 26
STUDY UNIT 10: DB OR NOT DB .................................................................................. 28
STUDY UNIT 11: REVISION ........................................................................................... 29
Damelin©: 2017
In terms of the Copyright Act, no 98 of 1978, no part of this study guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing from Damelin.
All rights reserved
,A WORD OF WELCOME
Welcome to the Sound Engineering 3A Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and
carries 15 credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objective of this module is to prepare students in the areas advanced instrument design
and advanced recording techniques. On completion of this module, the student will be able
to perform advanced recording techniques from a vast range of instruments.
MODULE OUTCOMES
Displaying an advanced understanding of studio equipment design
Displaying an advanced understanding of preproduction and implementation
Displaying an advanced understanding of recording and tracking sessions
Displaying an understanding of advanced microphone techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced microphone techniques
Demonstrating the ability to implement advanced recording session procedures
Displaying an understanding of advanced recording techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced recording techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced processing
Displaying a thorough understanding of sound levels
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
JBL Audio
Engineering for Eargle, J. & JBL ProAudio
2002 9780634043550
Sound Foreman, C. Publication
Reinforcement
Practical Recording Barlett, B. & Barlett, 2016 Focal Press
9781138904422
Techniques J.
Yamaha Sound
Davis, G. & Jones, HAL Leonard
Reinforcement 1990 9780881889000
R. Corporation
Handbook
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©
, STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION
Student Introduction
Student orientation
Introduction to this module: weekly timetabling to be explained
It is imperative that the students have access to the ‘Practical Recording Techniques by
Bartlett and Bartlett’ textbook from previous years as it will be covered in full throughout
the semester; students should be encouraged to always bring this book to class.
Lectures will comprise of theoretical and practical sessions. Dependent on content
covered, practical sessions can be supervised by the lecturer or resident engineer as
allowed by individual campus.
It’s of utmost importance that students book studio sessions to revise and practise so as
to; master the equipment, layout of the studio and techniques learnt to be applied in
session.
It is important that students additionally make use of the online resource, http://cambridge-
mt.com/rs-intro.htm. This assists in the illustration of important points through practical
audio examples, as well as to be used for the purpose of practise.
Students need to have the following basic knowledge as a foundation for this course,
revise necessary concepts.
Revision
Revision Part 1 – Theoretical knowledge
Knowledge from previous years that should be embedded:
The Yamaha and JBL books
Revision Part 2 – Microphones and techniques
Microphone essentials from previous years:
Microphone Types
Microphone Techniques
Stereo Microphone Techniques
Revision Part 3 – Practical Skills
Ability to operate a Studio Equipment
Digital Desk - Yamaha O2R
Multitrack Recording - Fostex D160
Routing and patching – Studio Layout and the console’s signal flow
Study Guide 2017 Page 2 of 31 Damelin ©
Module: Sound Engineering 3A
Module Code: SE 310
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION ............................ 2
STUDY UNIT 2: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT ................................................................... 3
STUDY UNIT 3: RECORDING AND TRACKING .............................................................. 9
STUDY UNIT 4: THE DIGITAL STUDIO RE-VISITED .................................................... 14
STUDY UNIT 5: MICROPHONES ................................................................................... 19
STUDY UNIT 6 :THE RECORDING PLATFORM ........................................................... 21
STUDY UNIT 7: COMPUTER RECORDING & SOUND QUALITY ................................. 23
STUDY UNIT 8: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION AND Q&A REVISION ...... 25
STUDY UNIT 9: EFFECTS AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS ............................................. 26
STUDY UNIT 10: DB OR NOT DB .................................................................................. 28
STUDY UNIT 11: REVISION ........................................................................................... 29
Damelin©: 2017
In terms of the Copyright Act, no 98 of 1978, no part of this study guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing from Damelin.
All rights reserved
,A WORD OF WELCOME
Welcome to the Sound Engineering 3A Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and
carries 15 credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objective of this module is to prepare students in the areas advanced instrument design
and advanced recording techniques. On completion of this module, the student will be able
to perform advanced recording techniques from a vast range of instruments.
MODULE OUTCOMES
Displaying an advanced understanding of studio equipment design
Displaying an advanced understanding of preproduction and implementation
Displaying an advanced understanding of recording and tracking sessions
Displaying an understanding of advanced microphone techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced microphone techniques
Demonstrating the ability to implement advanced recording session procedures
Displaying an understanding of advanced recording techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced recording techniques
Demonstrating the ability to use advanced processing
Displaying a thorough understanding of sound levels
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
JBL Audio
Engineering for Eargle, J. & JBL ProAudio
2002 9780634043550
Sound Foreman, C. Publication
Reinforcement
Practical Recording Barlett, B. & Barlett, 2016 Focal Press
9781138904422
Techniques J.
Yamaha Sound
Davis, G. & Jones, HAL Leonard
Reinforcement 1990 9780881889000
R. Corporation
Handbook
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©
, STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION
Student Introduction
Student orientation
Introduction to this module: weekly timetabling to be explained
It is imperative that the students have access to the ‘Practical Recording Techniques by
Bartlett and Bartlett’ textbook from previous years as it will be covered in full throughout
the semester; students should be encouraged to always bring this book to class.
Lectures will comprise of theoretical and practical sessions. Dependent on content
covered, practical sessions can be supervised by the lecturer or resident engineer as
allowed by individual campus.
It’s of utmost importance that students book studio sessions to revise and practise so as
to; master the equipment, layout of the studio and techniques learnt to be applied in
session.
It is important that students additionally make use of the online resource, http://cambridge-
mt.com/rs-intro.htm. This assists in the illustration of important points through practical
audio examples, as well as to be used for the purpose of practise.
Students need to have the following basic knowledge as a foundation for this course,
revise necessary concepts.
Revision
Revision Part 1 – Theoretical knowledge
Knowledge from previous years that should be embedded:
The Yamaha and JBL books
Revision Part 2 – Microphones and techniques
Microphone essentials from previous years:
Microphone Types
Microphone Techniques
Stereo Microphone Techniques
Revision Part 3 – Practical Skills
Ability to operate a Studio Equipment
Digital Desk - Yamaha O2R
Multitrack Recording - Fostex D160
Routing and patching – Studio Layout and the console’s signal flow
Study Guide 2017 Page 2 of 31 Damelin ©
