DRAM 364 Sound Design:
Studio
Tuesday and Thursday,
11:00-12:15, Culbreth, Room BO10
Instructed by Michael Rasbury
View
this material online at http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mr2xk/home.html
OFFICE:
Michael Rasbury, Room 208B,
Culbreth Theatre
Appointments can be scheduled
by phone at (434) 982-4542 or by email at
mr2xk (at) Virginia (dot)
edu. I check email daily.
COURSE GOAL:
DRAM 364 presents creative
application of digital sound editing for media. Techniques investigated include editing pre-recorded music,
creating realistic sound environments, representing visual art with sound,
three-dimensional sound, and sound creation for video and theatre.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
DRAM 364 leads the student
through a series of exercises designed to reveal the process of Sound Design
for the Theatre, using the computer as a primary tool for creating and editing
sound. Students will be
responsible for completing multiple sound designs. Each assignment will be unique; some will involve recreating
actual realistic environments and others will involve a more abstract
approach. Although several class
periods are reserved for lecture, most scheduled class periods are reserved for
completion of the designs. Source
material for each exercise will be provided, but students may also record
original sounds.
REQUIREMENTS:
Notebook (for classroom
notes)
CD-R, DVD-R (for submission
of projects)
Full Size Stereo Headphones
with mini 1/8” and 1/4” adapter (for monitoring)
Here are some examples:
http://www.sweetwater.com/c412--Headphones
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/headphones
Students will be responsible
for all work regardless of computer failures. A backup must be made at the end of each project. The following media can be used:
CD-R (650-700 MB), CD-RW
(650-700 MB) reusable, or DVD-R 2X (4.7 Gigabytes)
Home Directory Service, USB Flash
Drive
In
order to gain access to BO10 outside of class time, you must visit Theresa
Lamb, at our main office in Room 201, Culbreth. You will be required to sign a form in order to receive a
seven-digit code for opening the lock box on the door of BO10. The key must remain in the lock box at
all times. The door must remain
shut at all times. You many not
enter during other scheduled classes in BO10. Do not share the code. Any individual requiring access must
visit Theresa.
COURSE CALENDAR AND GRADING:
There will be no midterm or
final exam. There will be multiple
projects and each project will be worth 100 points. Individual project grades will be determined by the attached
rubric; a grading chart outlining all assessment criteria. Please view the course calendar in
either list form or calendar form.
100-90= A, 89-80= B, 79-70= C, 69-60= D, and
below 60= F
Participation 20%
This portion of the grade is
a subjective evaluation of the student’s performance during class meetings
based on the following criteria: 1) Attitude and Inquisitiveness- the student
displays an eagerness to learn and be involved, 2) Congeniality- the student
works well with others during the semester, 3)
Preparedness- the student is always prepared for class and concerned about the
quality of presented work, 4) Promptness- the student is always on time for
each session.
Project 1 (2 Periods) 10%
Simple Music Editing and
Exporting; Students will edit music
and/or audio by rearranging the parts of the original piece(s).
Project 2 (5 Periods) 30%
The Use of Metaphor in
Sound; Students will create a sound
design representative of another work of visual art. The final result will be reviewed by the class using the
Culbreth Theatre sound system. Before starting this project, a design statement must be submitted. A
design statement is a declaration of purpose and plan for construction of an
idea. The
design statement should include the designer's goal (one paragraph), a proposed
plan for accomplishing the goal (one paragraph), and a list of potential
effects and content is included (one paragraph).
Project 3 (10 Periods) 40%
Sound Design for a Script; Students will create a total sound
design for a short play (ten minutes or less) or radio script. A design statement and cue list must be
submitted for approval before embarking on the project. The project may be completed using any
software available in the lab. Final playback of the project will occur in our Culbreth Theatre and
must utilize QLab as a means for executing the design.
Culbreth Booth Audio Storage 128.143.249.40,
user name “Arts”
http://www.freesound.org/ Free
Sound Effects
http://www.soundsnap.com Free
Sound Effects
http://www.earthrecordings.com Michael
Rasbury’s websites
SUBMISSION OF PROJECTS:
Before starting each project,
a design statement must be submitted to me via email as a “.doc,” or “.rtf”
file (see attached calendar for due dates). The file name for the statement should be
“lastnamefirstname_p#”.
Upon completing a project,
submit two versions. One version
should be in the format of an Audio CD. The second version should be a data CD or DVD of your files. Make sure each disc is clearly
labeled with your name, project name, CD or DVD type, and length of the
project.
I would like to post selected
projects on my University of Virginia Sound Design website. If you have any objections to this,
please notify me.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You should make every effort
to be present at each class period. Excused absences are permitted. Please notify me before the absence or provide an official notification
after the absence. Each unexcused
absence will result in the lowering of your final grade percentage by three (3)
percentage points per absence.
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
September 5, Last Day to Drop a Class.
September 12, Last Day for Adding New Courses, Last Day to Elect the
AU (Audit) Option, and Last Day to Change to or from “Credit/No Credit” Option.
October 21, Last Day to Withdraw from a Course.
Students needing special accommodations are encouraged to discuss the need with
the professor as soon as possible.
This syllabus is subject
to change at any time, without prior notice, and it is the responsibility of
the student to keep informed of changes, new material, or missed content.