Audio Engineering Diploma
Now Enrolling for April!
Audio Engineering Diploma - Overview
This course offers students an opportunity to study all aspects of sound engineering and is designed to train future professionals for the audio industry from the ground up. Practical classes and hands-on studio time are supported by theoretical tuition, giving students a thorough knowledge of a broad range of audio production-related issues. Successful completion of the Diploma level gives graduates the possibility to continue their studies towards a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Recording Arts Degree.
Aims
Graduates of the SAE Audio Engineering Diploma are able to operate a wide range of professional, industry standard equipment, large format consoles, hard disk recording and editing systems, sequencing software, digital control surfaces, several types of analogue and digital mixing desks, as well as studio standard effects processors and microphones. Graduates who have gained this qualification will have recorded and mixed several music productions, completed a comprehensive post production project, programmed MIDI arrangements and worked extensively with ProTools and other digital editing systems.
Course Details
Qualification
SAE Diploma (Equal to 180 University credit points)
Diploma Entry Requirements
Note: If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom please contact the SAE College in your country to confirm your equivalent educational standing or contact SAE directly.
- minimum age 17; and
- ompletion of a minimum of two grade C GCSE’s or equivalent; or
- mature age students over 21 years; or
- on receipt of suitable evidence, SAE shall seek to admit all prospective students (via special entry) who are considered to have a reasonable chance of success in the programme.
Diploma Duration
12 months full time or 24 months part time (900 clock hours)
Assessment method and award
Practical
- throughout the course, students submit a number of prescribed practical exercises; and
- students undertake a substantial recording project with musicians of their choice, within the guidelines set by the College; and
- a final practical "In-Studio" examination
Theoretical
- theoretical progress examinations are held at regular intervals over the duration of the programme; and
- the preparation and submission of a written diploma assignment on a subject of the student’s choice. (Subjects must be approved by the programme Co‑ordinator); and
- a final written theory examination.
Award
- In order to qualify for the SAE Diploma, candidates need to reach an overall assessed mark of seventy five (75) percent (theory and practical).
- Graduates who have successfully completed the SAE diploma programme qualify for up to half credit points (180 credit points) towards the BA (Hons) Recording Arts degree programme.
The list below shows only the main topics covered during the course. For a complete list please see our curriculums displayed at each SAE location.
Acoustics:
The human ear, psycho-acoustics, the anatomy of the ear, principles of sound propagation, understanding the Decibel (dB) and other reference levels, behaviour of sound in enclosed spaces, studio design and construction, reverberation and modal characteristics, room analysis and evaluation and various acoustic treatments.
Advanced MIDI & Sequencing:
Using industry-standard programming software, synthesizers and samplers, working on various MIDI based projects, synchronising MIDI/timecode, how to work with MIDI/live musicians in the studio, MIDI theory.
Audio Post Production:
This module examines the creation and use of sound in motion picture and video production. Audio post-production equipment and work flow are studied as well as sound design concepts and audio mixing techniques for picture. Topics include: Synchronisation, dialogue recording, foley recording, the use of sound effects in picture, the creation & use of music in picture, surround sound concepts, location recording and the history of sound in film production.
Advanced Studio Studies:
This module focuses on studio recording techniques and concepts. It covers the operation of more advanced studio equipment and aims to prepare students for the workplace. Topics include: Advanced production techniques, mix analysis, advanced mixing and recording techniques, studio workflow, advanced microphone techniques, digital audio software operation, mixing for surround sound and working with a producer.
Basic Sound Theory:
This module explores the basic physical properties and characteristics of sound and human auditory perception. Topics include: Sound fundamentals, decibel theory and human perception of loudness, stereo imaging, space and basic acoustic principles.
Basic Electronics:
This module covers the basic concepts of electronics and electricity as they relate to audio technology. Topics include: Basic electrical theory, power, voltage, resistance and current, Ohm’s Law, electrical circuits, electrical decibel scales, standard operating levels and audio connectors & cabling and studio fault finding.
Basic Web Design for Audio Engineering:
This module includes basics of HTML and web design. Topics include: Use of web-design software, historical development of the worldwide- web and the implementation of content into a web page, designing a CD cover, basics of working with digital images for print and web and some graphic design concepts.
Digital Audio:
In this module students are introduced to digital audio theory including binary and hexadecimal numbering systems, A/D conversion, digital processing and digital audio formats, understanding various formats, digital storage media and future digital developments, DAW and recording audio in the digital domain.
Introduction to Studios & Recording:
This module covers the equipment and processes used in small recording studios. It further looks at the operation and the recording process from beginning to completion. Topics include: Analogue mixing console operation, gain structure, recording session procedures, multi-track recorders, reading schematic diagrams and basic recording techniques.
Live Sound Engineering:
This module covers the live sound engineering principles for a club, concert hall, stadium or live theatre shows. Topics include: Understanding the components of the PA system, the monitoring systems and live sound signal flow, live consoles, crossovers, FOH, power amplifiers and loudspeakers, live recording, working in a team, cabling for a ‘live’ show, power requirements, fault finding methods and working with broadcasters.
Mastering & Media Preparation:
This module looks at the role and process of mastering in producing a final product. It further focuses on the preparation of various media formats and examines the history of audio media formats. Topics include: Mastering techniques & equipment, CD/DVD production and duplication, analogue and digital audio formats.
Mixing Consoles and Signal Flow:
This module covers the use and design concepts of various studio mixing consoles. Topics include: Console design and different types of consoles, analogue and digital consoles, control surfaces, sound studio signal flow, broadcast and TV sound signal flow, equipment features and specifications.
Microphones and Loudspeakers:
This module covers microphone and loudspeaker design. Topics include: Transducer principles, microphone and loudspeaker design, speaker placements, choosing the right microphone, working with multiple microphones, using microphones in the studio and in live recording situations, different types of studio monitors, various stereo microphone techniques, location microphones and techniques.
Music Production:
This module covers the link between creative and technical elements of professional music production. Topics include: Planning and pre-production, studio team work, working with musicians, post production and mastering, understanding music styles, the role of a producer/engineer, various mixing rules and examples.
Signal Processing:
This module covers the design principles and operation of studio effect units. Topics include: Description of all types of effects processors, dynamics processing, time based processing, equalisers and filters, explanation of plug-in type signal processing, when to use effects, understanding parameters of effects.
Synchronisation:
This module covers the concept and hardware and software used to synchronise music. Topics include: Synchronising using ProTools, music to film, synchronising tape machines, sequencer, hard disc systems and other hardware synchronisation using SMPTE and MIDI time code and other proprietary systems including those that facilitate mixing console automation.
