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Multimedia Sound Design - ELE00054H

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Andy Hunt
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module introduces you to the art and science of creating music and sound effects for visual media such as television, film and computer games. You will gain experience working in teams, similar to industry-­based production companies, on a complex multimedia project, considering the implications of state-of-the-art and future media technologies.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce students to the art and science of creating music and sound effects for visual media such as television, film and computer games
  • To explain the creative uses of Digital Audio Workstations for postproduction work
  • To allow the students practical experience in composing music and soundtracks for an existing video

Graduate skills aims:

  • To gain experience working in teams, similar to industry-­based production companies, on a complex multimedia project

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Understand and appreciate the relationship between picture and sound
  • Understand the audio recording and editing processes and how they can be applied to the creation of professionally produced media programs
  • Have a basic working knowledge of the tools required for audio post­production, including a Digital Audio Workstation based recording environment, and the associated handling and management of audio and video based assets

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Demonstrate an ability to work both individually and in teams to complete creative and technical audio/video postproduction based tasks
  • Be able to support creative output with comprehensive and reasoned technical documentation

Module content

  • History of AudioVisual technology and aesthetics

  • Music for Cinema

  • Teamwork for audiovisual collaboration

  • Production sound recording

  • Music for television

  • Process of film music composition

  • Post-Production Sound Workflow and Roles

  • The film music industry

  • Dialogue editing and ADR

  • The Computer Games Industry

  • Foley and SFX

  • Computer game music and audio

  • Sound Design and Effects

  • Non-mainstream cinema & alternative artistic expression

  • Abstract and Absolute animation

  • Mixing for Film and TV

  • Digital Animation and Visual Music

  • Beyond 5.1 - Immersive Audio sound design

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Soundtrack Project - group video		 N/A 50
Groupwork
Groupwork		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

There are two components to this coursework assignment:

1) a Group Video (worth 50% of each individual’s mark)

A practical sound creation exercise - 6-8 minute soundtrack based on an existing video - carried out in a small group and submitted as mp4.

Due to VLE file size limits, you can upload any files you wish to submit (one copy per group, and

2) an Individual Report (worth 50% of each individual’s mark)

A report explaining and analysing the exercise, setting it in historical context, and producing an overview of two alternative state of the art production formats related to your piece.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay: Soundtrack project reassessment		 N/A 100

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Formative Feedback

Practical labs allow you to engage with the audiovisual preparation process and receive verbal help and feedback.

Emails to the Module Coordinator with Questions / Comments will be answered as soon as possible.

Questions can also be submitted at any time via the Question Box on the module Wiki page.

A proposal for your group assignment is to be submitted early on in the semester and you will receive written feedback on the suitability of the chosen media clip, along with comments on your group structure and job roles.

Summative Feedback

You will receive a customised feedback sheet, showing the mark breakdown in each of the key areas being assessed (Quality of sound production, aesthetic choices and implementation, group management, report quality and work summary, evaluation, analysis of future multimedia) along with personalised feedback and suggestions for improvement. The comments not only explain how well you have met the learning objectives, but also give you feedback against professional audiovisual standards, and suggestions on how to improve report writing in your final projects.

Indicative reading

  • Chion, M., Audio Vision – sound on screen, Columbia University Press (1994), ISBN­13: 978­0231078993
  • Amyes, Tim, Audio Post Production in Video and Film, 2nd Edition, 1998
  • Sonnenschein, David, Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema, 2001, ISBN: 0941188264
  • McCormick, T and Rumsey, F., Sound and Recording: An Introduction Focal Press, 4th Edition, 2002, ISBN 0­240­51680­X
  • Bartlett, G and Bartlett J, Practical Recording Techniques Focal Press, 2002, ISBN 0­240­80473­2


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.