Diploma in Sound Engineering
Module: Sound Engineering 1A
Module Code: SE 110
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: THE BASIC SOUND SYSTEM ............................................................... 2
STUDY UNIT 2: MIXING CONSOLE TYPES .................................................................... 7
STUDY UNIT 3: CABLES AND CONNECTIORS.............................................................. 9
STUDY UNIT 4: NOISE REDUCTION TECHNIQUES ..................................................... 12
STUDY UNIT 5: CONNECTION OF A SIGNAL CHAIN .................................................. 16
STUDY UNIT 6: EFFECTS AND THEIR APPLICATION................................................. 21
STUDY UNIT 7: MICROPHONES ................................................................................... 23
STUDY UNIT 8: WAVELAB ............................................................................................ 26
STUDY UNIT 9: MIDI ...................................................................................................... 30
STUDY UNIT 10: CUBASE ............................................................................................. 32
STUDY UNIT 11: RECORDING PRACTICAL ................................................................. 34
STUDY UNIT 12: VOICE RECORDINGS ........................................................................ 36
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 1A Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and
carries 20 credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the practical aspects of sound
engineering with emphasis placed on the studio environment and the procedures and
processes followed when using sound equipment for music editing and recording.
Students will gain the practical experience required to operate sound equipment and be able
to record and edit music on completion of this module
MODULE OUTCOMES
Displaying a full understanding of the importance of the professional Studio Environment
and Studio Equipment
Identifying the different pieces of equipment which make up a Sound System
Evaluating techniques for recording instruments and voices
Measuring and testing components using the correct test equipment
Identifying various types of microphones
Applying their knowledge to the workings of microphone techniques
Identifying audio editing and sequencing software
Displaying and understanding of the composition, production and orchestration of music
Understanding the difference between destructive and non-destructive editing
Distinguishing between the different voice groups
Displaying an understanding of voice recordings
Analysing the Radio Drama aspects of sound engineering
Applying their knowledge of sound to advertisements
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
JBL Audio Engineering for JBL Pro Audio
Eargle, J. & Foreman, C. 2002 9780634043550
Sound Reinforcement Publications
Yamaha Sound Reinforcement HAL Leonard
Davis, G. & Jones, R. 1990 9780881889000
Handbook Corporation
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©
, STUDY UNIT 1: THE BASIC SOUND SYSTEM
Introduction
This unit is to introduce you to the basic sound system
Learning outcomes
After having worked through this study unit you will be able to:
Identify the different parts of a sound system
Identify the use of the different parts of the sound system
Identify the value of each component
The Sound System
Discuss the basic sound system.
Discuss the purpose of a sound system: Yamaha Black Book section 1.2, pg. 4
Begin by defining a transducer: A device that translates one form of energy into another
and give some examples (Section 1.6 in the Yamaha Black Book, Pg. 6 & 7 )
The basic sound systems consist of:
o Input transducers – acoustical energy into electrical energy
o signal processing – electrical manipulation of the signal
o output transducers – electrical to acoustical energy
An integral part of a sound system is the links between these parts.
Signal path
Signal path is a term used to describe the path that an audio signal follows from when it is
created, through the mixing desk, processing and recording all the way to playback. It is
probably the most important concept to grasp in sound engineering as it assists with problem
solving, channel processing, live trouble shooting and more. The simplest signal path that can
be created is the following:
Mic → cable → mixer → cable → amp → cable → speaker
Refer to : JBL Chapter 19; figure 19-1
Every other variation of signal flow is based on this basic flow. An important concept to
remember when thinking about signal flow is the direction of the signal. In the diagram above,
the sound would not travel from the speaker but from the mic through the system ending at
the speaker.
Study Guide 2017 Page 2 of 37 Damelin ©
Module: Sound Engineering 1A
Module Code: SE 110
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: THE BASIC SOUND SYSTEM ............................................................... 2
STUDY UNIT 2: MIXING CONSOLE TYPES .................................................................... 7
STUDY UNIT 3: CABLES AND CONNECTIORS.............................................................. 9
STUDY UNIT 4: NOISE REDUCTION TECHNIQUES ..................................................... 12
STUDY UNIT 5: CONNECTION OF A SIGNAL CHAIN .................................................. 16
STUDY UNIT 6: EFFECTS AND THEIR APPLICATION................................................. 21
STUDY UNIT 7: MICROPHONES ................................................................................... 23
STUDY UNIT 8: WAVELAB ............................................................................................ 26
STUDY UNIT 9: MIDI ...................................................................................................... 30
STUDY UNIT 10: CUBASE ............................................................................................. 32
STUDY UNIT 11: RECORDING PRACTICAL ................................................................. 34
STUDY UNIT 12: VOICE RECORDINGS ........................................................................ 36
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 1A Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and
carries 20 credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the practical aspects of sound
engineering with emphasis placed on the studio environment and the procedures and
processes followed when using sound equipment for music editing and recording.
Students will gain the practical experience required to operate sound equipment and be able
to record and edit music on completion of this module
MODULE OUTCOMES
Displaying a full understanding of the importance of the professional Studio Environment
and Studio Equipment
Identifying the different pieces of equipment which make up a Sound System
Evaluating techniques for recording instruments and voices
Measuring and testing components using the correct test equipment
Identifying various types of microphones
Applying their knowledge to the workings of microphone techniques
Identifying audio editing and sequencing software
Displaying and understanding of the composition, production and orchestration of music
Understanding the difference between destructive and non-destructive editing
Distinguishing between the different voice groups
Displaying an understanding of voice recordings
Analysing the Radio Drama aspects of sound engineering
Applying their knowledge of sound to advertisements
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
JBL Audio Engineering for JBL Pro Audio
Eargle, J. & Foreman, C. 2002 9780634043550
Sound Reinforcement Publications
Yamaha Sound Reinforcement HAL Leonard
Davis, G. & Jones, R. 1990 9780881889000
Handbook Corporation
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©
, STUDY UNIT 1: THE BASIC SOUND SYSTEM
Introduction
This unit is to introduce you to the basic sound system
Learning outcomes
After having worked through this study unit you will be able to:
Identify the different parts of a sound system
Identify the use of the different parts of the sound system
Identify the value of each component
The Sound System
Discuss the basic sound system.
Discuss the purpose of a sound system: Yamaha Black Book section 1.2, pg. 4
Begin by defining a transducer: A device that translates one form of energy into another
and give some examples (Section 1.6 in the Yamaha Black Book, Pg. 6 & 7 )
The basic sound systems consist of:
o Input transducers – acoustical energy into electrical energy
o signal processing – electrical manipulation of the signal
o output transducers – electrical to acoustical energy
An integral part of a sound system is the links between these parts.
Signal path
Signal path is a term used to describe the path that an audio signal follows from when it is
created, through the mixing desk, processing and recording all the way to playback. It is
probably the most important concept to grasp in sound engineering as it assists with problem
solving, channel processing, live trouble shooting and more. The simplest signal path that can
be created is the following:
Mic → cable → mixer → cable → amp → cable → speaker
Refer to : JBL Chapter 19; figure 19-1
Every other variation of signal flow is based on this basic flow. An important concept to
remember when thinking about signal flow is the direction of the signal. In the diagram above,
the sound would not travel from the speaker but from the mic through the system ending at
the speaker.
Study Guide 2017 Page 2 of 37 Damelin ©
