Course overview
Live sound engineering involves the artistic and technical control of sound in the field of live musical performance. This course will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of sound engineering and its application to live sound reinforcement and production. This will be achieved by theoretically and practically exploring the area of live sound engineering through lectures, tutorials and workshops. In particular, students will actively engage with learning, developing and analysing the practice of sound engineering through topics such as: input / output, connectivity, microphone technique, fold back and monitoring, front-of-house and PA systems, dynamic processing, equalization and effects; complete readings and listening that reinforce concepts, provide new insights and techniques; and perform practical exercises that promote investigative learning and research. The course has the following learning objectives: extend artistic and technical outcomes in the sonic arts including live sound engineering; provide a comprehensive understanding of sound engineering theory and its practice in the areas of live sound reinforcement and production; enhance problem solving skills; and provide a reflexive active skill set that can adapt to the changing landscape of live sound engineering, its practice and processes.
Course learning outcomes
- Identify, describe and explain sound engineering fundamentals associated with live sound reinforcement, including PA setup and tuning, signal flow, microphones, mixing, monitoring, and production
- Employ and apply live sound engineering technologies and techniques in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency
- Demonstrate independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving in the field of live sound engineering
- Develop research skills and a critical understanding of live sound engineering and its associated areas