Sound design

Role of Sound in Media

Grasp the importance of sound design in creating mood, setting and driving narrative.
Understand that the main components of sound in media are dialogue, sound effects, and music.
Recognize that diegetic sounds are sounds that would logically be heard by the characters in the scene.
Understand that non-diegetic sounds are sounds outside the world of the scene, like the musical score or voiceover narration.

Sound Design Techniques

Familiarise with Foley, a technique used to create everyday sound effects.
Understand the use of ambient sounds or background noise to create an environment’s atmosphere.
Know the purpose of sound bridges, which can prepare the audience for a scene change, or provide continuity.
ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) is frequently used to replace or enhance dialogue post-production.

Practical Skills

Use of various sound recording equipment: microphones, digital recorders, boom poles, etc.
Gain proficiency in audio editing software such as Audacity, GarageBand, or Pro Tools.
Skills in mixing and balancing audio layers are essential in achieving a clear, balanced sound.
Sound effects libraries allow for quick access to pre-recorded sounds that can be used in production.

Post-production Sound Workflow

Begin with capture or recording of dialogue, sound effects and possibly a musical score.
Proceed to organisation or sorting of the audio files as per specific type, scene or sequence.
Enter the editing stage, adjusting the levels, timing and effects to create the desired sound design.
The mixing stage involves unifying all the audio tracks, balancing levels, equalisation and preventing distortion.
Mastering is the final polish ensuring consistency and optimal playback across all output formats.
Understand the importance of gathering feedback and making revisions based on it for best end-result.
Always ensure thorough backup of all audio files and the entire project regularly.
Mastery of audio output formats and understanding different audio specifications of various distribution platforms is imperative.