FM2SSE175 Studio Sound Engineering practice

This course develops practical studio engineering in a multi-room environment. Emphasis is placed on infrastructure and signal flow, session planning, and role-based teamwork for live ensemble tracking and overdub workflows. Students work with advanced microphone techniques, foldback systems, and performer-centred practice to capture reliable performances. Acoustic considerations, analog and acoustic sound-shaping at source, and appropriate use of processing are addressed from both historical and contemporary perspectives.

Learning activities focus on hands-on setup and operation of large-studio systems, including cabling, routing and patching (analog and digital), audio-over-IP concepts, and day-to-day troubleshooting and routine maintenance. File management, backup, versioning and delivery formats are integrated into project flow. Pro Tools is used as the primary DAW for tracking, editing and session management, with attention to templates, documentation and smooth hand-offs.

Work is organised through supervised labs and live recording sessions with small and larger ensembles, including opportunities to support peer productions. Attention is given to professional conduct in the studio, clear communication with performers and stakeholders, and safe, efficient working methods. By the end of the course, participants operate independently in a multi-room facility, plan and execute recordings that meet genre-appropriate expectations, and contribute effectively within a studio team.