Sound Production Practical & Multi-track recording
Sound production practice and multi-track recording were split over two semesters, and involved creating a schematic for studio signal flow and gaining the tickets needed to operate the two different kind of desks in the studios, analogue and digital desks.
For both desks there was some common ground procedures we learned and where tested on, that applied for both desks. One such thing included learning the correct power on and power off procedure, which consisted of primarily knowing that the amplifiers are always last to be turned on, and first to be turned off. The other thing was I also had to demonstrate my knowledge on how signal pathing worked from the microphone to the speakers on both desks.
For the digital desk we had to show we knew the start-up and shut down procedure, be able to set up a session on protools and on the desk. I then had to prove I knew how to; perform routing in the desk, and set up a microphone input to a randomly designated channel in the desk.
Once I was able to set up a session, I needed to show I had good levels and display knowledge of the differences between mic level and line level. Mic level being the voltage that is produced from a microphone, which needs to be brought up to line level, in order to get a good enough signal for the desk to register it, and then be able to output audio from.
I then had to prove that I could set up an effects channel, with a reverb effect on it, and route it to the track that has signal coming through it. I then demonstrated I could set it to record and save it accordingly, and then proceeded to show I could shut down the desk safely.
I was then quizzed on the different kinds of traps that could await me if I went to use the desk, and what kind of effect it would have. For example, looking for any solo buttons left in the desk, which would stop all audio, but the tracks that are soloed. Ensuring that the master faders are down, and muted, so there is no surprise when the session starts, and cause any risk of hearing damage or equipment damage. This is much the same with talk back and headphone mixes, ensuring that at the beginning of the session, they are turned down.
Whilst I worked on my ticket for the use of the analogue desk, I was tested in a very similar way to how I was tested for my digital desk ticket. Demonstrating my familiarity and knowledge with the equipment through the means of, setting up a session, setting up the desk, setting up and maintaining connections and the mixing and editing of tracks.
However the analogue desk had some of its own unique qualities that we had to be tested on as well as everything that was similar to the digital desk. We had to learn how to use the Patch bay, a section of the desk that is used for routing signal into hardware units, such as effects racks and reverb units. The patch bay is also used to route signal into different sections of the desk. We were tested on how to patch up a reverb unit into the signal flow of the desk, before the music was recorded.
