Academic Catalog

MTEC 70E: PRO TOOLS 210P-AVID CERTIFICATION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2021
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82E.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Description

Synchronizing Pro Tools for audio post production with film, video and multimedia. Recording and editing ADR (automated dialog replacement), music, sound effects and multichannel audio. Mixing stereo and surround sound formats synchronized to digital picture. Layback and export options for final delivery to broadcast industry formats including QuickTime and Avid media. Practical experience with examples from feature films, documentaries and TV commercials. Successful completion achieves Avid Pro Tools Operator Post Certification.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Setup video frame rates.
B. Edit video in Pro Tools.
C. Import QuickTime and Avid compatible media.
D. Record and edit ADR in Pro Tools.
E. Edit multi-channel audio in a stereo environment.
F. Mix audio to digital picture.
G. Understand session signal flow.
H. Layback and export media to multiple formats.
I. Understand synchronization concepts.

Course Content

A. Study and analysis of Avid Pro Tools post production techniques.
1. Understand audio post production workflows.
2. Audio acquisition techniques in studios and location recording.
3. Audio processing with hardware and software.
4. Mixing techniques addressing broadcast industry standards.
5. Export and manage digital audio file formats maintaining inter operational cross-platform compatibility.
6. Understand and apply professional recording studio operations and technical requirements.
7. Digital audio editing techniques as applied to music and sound effects synchronized to digital video.

Lab Content

A. Track count
B. Elastic audio settings and rendering levels
C. Plug-in and bus considerations
D. Insert tracks and routing importing and exporting file types
E. Bit rate encoding
F. Bouncing audio to disk
G. Consolidating audio regions, etc.
H. Other items may include subjects such as number of plug-ins per insert track, bus assignments for efficient recording operation, and mastering compression settings

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. When taught on campus:
1. Classroom with 31 Avid Pro Tools systems and appropriate versions of Pro Tools.
2. 31 Apple Macintosh computers running appropriate operating system.
3. Projection system for video and multimedia content.
4. Loudspeaker system to accurately reproduce audio examples.
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access:
1. On-going access to computer with email software and capabilities.
2. Email address.
3. JavaScript enabled internet browsing software.
4. Pro Tools software or equivalent Digital Audio Workstation.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Written assignments that analyze, compare and contrast Pro Tools editing techniques
Hands on demonstration of Pro Tools techniques including keyboard commands and hardware configurations
Tests on mastering, final delivery methods, theory and techniques as presented in the Pro Tools 210P textbook
Final project delivering completed soundtrack demonstrating understanding of class material and assignments

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations that demonstrate audio post production techniques for film, video and multimedia
Classroom discussions that address the history of audio and music production synchronized to film and digital video
Group presentations followed by in-class discussion and evaluation

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Cook, Andrew. Pro Tools 210P. 2020.

Other written materials provided by the instructor and delivered online.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

A. Written critiques and analyses of audio production projects including film soundtracks, television, video games and internet multimedia.
B. Written summaries documenting technical and artistic elements for corresponding submitted assignments and audio projects.
C. Written proposals, session logs, learning outcomes and reflections supporting submitted musical works and final master recordings.
D. Hands-on exercises and guided tutorials to practice audio production concepts and techniques.

Discipline(s)

Commercial Music