Audiovisual Content Elements

The purpose of the course is the introduction to the practice and aesthetics of the Art of Music Production. In the context of teaching, modern techniques of processing and mixing audio material in a digital environment are analyzed and applied, with an emphasis on aesthetic targeting and creativity. The module has a strong practical and research orientation, aiming to familiarize the students as much as possible with the process of music production and also to develop an individual portfolio of producers. After the successful completion of the teaching, the student will be able to:

• To operate music production and digital mastering software
• To organize at all levels and perform in a correct way a musical production
• To distinguish and accurately analyze all the quality characteristics of a production
• Complete stereo and multi-channel mixes
• To perform corrective and aesthetic interventions on the spectrum and dynamic range of a sound source and a mix
• To purposefully shape the final sound of a production
• To create definitive digital audio files (final master) ready for distribution

1. Analysis of music producers. Aesthetics and sound retrospect by decades
2. Planning and preparation of a musical production
3. Space and listening systems
4. Use of specialized software
5. Audio Spectrum Processing Techniques (Dynamic & MS EQs)
6. Dynamic range processing techniques of audio sources (Parallel compression – Sidechain compression, Gating, etc.)
7. Time-based effects (Reverb, Delay, Chorus, etc.)
8. Triggering/Replacement
9. Multichannel mixing and recording (Surround formats)
10. Binaural mixing (Reference to Surround sound recording and 3d Audio formats)
11. Basic Mastering techniques
12. Management of digital audio properties and troubleshooting (dithering, jitter, etc.)

1. Production analysis work (10%) including:
   • Aesthetic and technological analysis of a musical production that is considered special (student choice). Detailed instructions for the evaluation are announced in a description of the work in class.
2. Binaural mixing work (15%).
   • The work is evaluated on the correctness, depth of processing and manipulation of the sounds. An important criterion is the aesthetic and creative part of the work for which directions are provided. Detailed instructions for the evaluation are announced in a description of the work in class.
3. Music mixing work (15%) including:
   • A simple orchestration of a given piece of music.
   • Small number of channels.
   • Tasks of organizing the audio material and the work environment in DAW.
   • Quality control of sources.
   • Export final mix master.
     • The work is evaluated on the correctness of what was applied, on the quality of the sound result with an emphasis on the technical perfection of the mix. Detailed instructions for the evaluation of the work are announced in a description in eclass.
4. Final music mixing assignment (60%) including:
   • Free choice of music material.
   • Large number of channels.
   • Tasks of organizing the audio material and the work environment in DAW.
   • Quality control of sources.
   • Export final mix master.
   • Final master edit
     • The work is evaluated on the correctness of what was applied, the quality of the sound result with an emphasis on aesthetic targeting and the technical perfection of the mix. Detailed instructions for the evaluation of the work are announced in a description in eclass.