Audio Engineering Course And Certification

What is Audio Engineering? 

Audio (Sound) Engineering is the art of mixing and reproducing sounds. While the word "audio" is a very broad term in the field of Engineering, Audio is the reproduction and transmission of sound and its frequency. An example of Audio transmission or reproduction is a stereo. 

Audio or Sound Engineers are basically referred to as Sound Technicians.

Audio or Sound Engineers are individuals who take up Audio Engineering as a career. They are required to be very creative problem solvers with the power and ability to think outside the box and apply critical thinking skills to all aspects of the job. Audio Engineers must have very strong communication skills, good manual dexterity, creativity and the ability to operate on multiple machines simultaneously and also pay attention to details.

The Technical side of music recording involves setting up all required equipments to work together, for example: microphones, mixers, amplifiers etc. and making sure that they all work together without any distortion. This is the core job of an Audio Technician. 

Audio Engineers work hand in hand with music producers to develop and create nice, clean and enhanced sounds. Graduates of Sound Engineering are also equipped with the skills to be able to handle audio projects and supervise a team of Sound Technicians. Audio Engineers mostly work in various music recording studios. With enough experience and good work experience, an Audio Engineer is capable of starting up their own music studio or a production company.

Elements of a Perfect Audio Mix

The following are elements of mixing music that engineers and producers follow that make up the mixing process.

1. Balance: This is the beginning of the Process.  It is important to have balance in a mix.  This is to say that everything appears to be at the same or appropriate level.

2. Frequency Range: This involves having all audible frequencies represented. It is a process that requires a keen ear and a thorough understanding of instruments and the way they should sound.  EQing is the boosting and cutting of frequencies to achieve the desired sound. 

3. Panorama: This is achieved by panning and creates a stereo mix. It is placing a musical element in the sound field. 

4. Dimension: This involves adding ambiance to a musical element.  It is where reverb, delay, and other effects are added. A Dry mix is a mix that is a raw recording without any other effects added, adding dimension can make the space you are hearing the music in Larger, smaller, more open or confined.

5. Dynamics: This involves controlling the volume envelope of an individual track or the entire mix.  Dynamics is where Compression, Gating, and Limiting are added.  What it does is keeps all of the sounds at a pleasant and appropriate level.  In the instance of a compressor, it will act as autopilot on the volume control.

6. Interest: This makes the mix special, We add interest by manually controlling swells and volumes to create more of an emotional response, usually moving into key changes or choruses.

Characteristics of an Audio Engineer

1. Patience: Working with people is very hard, but working together with someone on something that is creative and personal to them is a whole lot harder. Working together is an act of balancing, it requires someone with a lot of patience and understanding. As an Audio Engineer or an Audio Producer, you’re not always going to be happy what your client has to say, but it’s how you react and handle the situation to make sure that everyone is happy and the product ends up the way you promised that makes you a great Audio Engineer.

2. Well Organized: Another major feature that will make you stand out as an Audio Engineer is that you have to be on time, Make sure that things are always set up on time, always make sure that everything that is needed for the recording session is ready to go and the studio is very clean, have the songs edited, label all tracks and sessions have amps out that you’re going to need, etc. etc. It’s the engineer’s job to make sure the session is running smoothly and the only way this can get done is if things are organized.

3. Perceptive: As an Audio Engineer, you should always be aware of your environment. If a client is not enjoying or doesn't like the sound of something, make sure to pay attention to how everyone around you is acting and make sure you are giving them a room that allows them to best do their work and be creative.

4. Diligence: Another unique feature of an Audio Engineer is that they have to be attentive and persistent. Do your job with care.

5. Reliable: Show up and finish given projects on time, always give accurate very time frames for how long things will consume, answer all emails, phones calls and text messages in a considerable amount of time. 

Why Study Audio (Sound) Engineering?

There are lots of benefits of learning Audio Engineering and some of them are:

1. In Audio Engineering, you have a very competitive pay because you will be working with music and movie professionals.

2. As an Audio Engineer, you have lots of options and opportunity in the entertainment and creative industry.

3. Audio Engineering helps you to develop problem-solving skills.

4. Audio (Sound) Engineers can work in any industry apart from music such as film, radio, television, computer games, theater, sporting events and corporate events.

5. Enrich Your CV and Increase Your Earning Potential.

6. Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Consultancy, this means you can start your own production or audio engineering company. 

7. Job Opportunities and Career Advancement. 

Audio Engineering Course Outline: 

Audio Engineering - Introduction

Audio Engineering - Audio Principles

Audio Engineering - Measurement

Audio Engineering - Acoustic Environment

Audio Engineering - Components

Audio Engineering - Power Supply Design 

Audio Engineering - Introduction to Audio Amplifi cation

Audio Engineering - Preamplifiers and Input Signals

Audio Engineering - Interfacing and Processing

Audio Engineering - Audio Amplifiers 

Audio Engineering - Audio Amplifier Performance 

Audio Engineering - Valve (Tube-Based) Amplifi ers

Audio Engineering - Negative Feedbacks

Audio Engineering - Noise and Grounding

Audio Engineering - Digital Audio Fundamentals

Audio Engineering - Representation of Audio Signals

Audio Engineering - Compact Disc

Audio Engineering - Digital Audio Recording Basics

Audio Engineering - Digital Audio Interfaces

Audio Engineering - Data Compression

Audio Engineering - Digital Audio Production 

Audio Engineering - Other Digital Audio Devices 

Audio Engineering - Microphone Technology

Audio Engineering - Loudspeakers

Audio Engineering - Loudspeaker Enclosures 

Audio Engineering - Headphones 

Audio Engineering - Tape Recording

Audio Engineering - Recording Consoles

Audio Engineering - Video Synchronization

Audio Engineering - Room Acoustics

Audio Engineering - Fundamentals and Instruments

Audio Engineering - Video Lectures 

Audio Engineering - Exams and Certification