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PROGRAMS

Recording Arts & Show Production IDL

The Recording Arts and Show Production IDL program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of recording arts and show production, audio engineering, and music production. Students will receive hands-on education using up-to-date technology for all types of audio production. A wide spectrum of professional audio is covered throughout several courses covering areas in both studio, location, installation, and live settings. In each course, students will develop their skills under the mentorship of industry professionals, preparing them for an entry-level position in the audio industry.

What is Interactive Distance Learning?

Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) is not your typical online education. Students in our IDL programs get the full classroom experience from the comfort of their homes. This is not a “watch a video and answer some questions,” e-learning program. This is a fully-engaged, 11-month diploma program that gives students the opportunity to learn hands-on with all the industry-standard gear, equipment, and software provided in their Creative P.A.K. Each IDL class is a 5-hour block that includes live lectures with instructors, time to work on projects, video conferencing, student-to-student interaction, individual demos, and more.

  • Program Name Recording Arts & Show Production - IDL
  • Total Clock Hours 900
  • Hours - Instruction 665
  • Hours - Lab 235
  • Your Creative P.A.K.
  • Computer Requirements
  • RASP 101IDL – Digital Audio Fundamentals
  • RASP 102IDL – Music Production 1
  • CD 101IDL2 – Career Development 1
  • RASP 103IDL – Recording Arts
  • RASP 104IDL – Music Production 2
  • RASP 105IDL – Mixing Techniques
  • RASP 106IDL – Advanced Audio Theories and Applications
  • CD 201IDL2 – Career Development 2
  • RASP 107IDL – Location Sound
  • RASP 108IDL – Sound for Visual Media
  • RASP 109IDL – Audio Visual Event Production
  • RASP 110IDL – Show Production

Students in our IDL program are required to purchase a Creative P.A.K. to use during the course of their program and beyond. The digital media industry and its relevant technology are ever-changing, so specific items in your Creative P.A.K. may be updated from time to time. Specific items are not guaranteed. Contact the school for more information.

 

You can find an up-to-date list here. Total: $1,400

 

  • Mackie 10-Channel Sound Reinforcement Analog Mixer with Built-In FX
  • Novation Mini 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
  • PreSonus USB 96 Stereo Audio Interface
  • PreSonus 3.5″ 2-Way 25W Studio Monitors
  • PreSonus Professional Over-Ear Monitoring Headphones
  • Zoom 2-Input 2-Track Portable Field Recorder with Lavalier Microphone
  • SanDisk 32GB Ultra UHS-I microSDHC Memory Card
  • Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
  • Presonus Studio One Artist DAW Software
  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Presonus Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Mic
  • Shure Dynamic Instrument Microphone
  • Zoom Shotgun Microphone Capsule for Zoom Recorders
  • Zoom X/Y Microphone Capsule for Zoom Recorders
  • Auray Tripod Microphone Stand with Fixed Boom
  • Kopul XLR M to XLR F Microphone Cable – 10′ (3.0 m)
  • Auray Pop Filter with Gooseneck and Spring-loaded Clamp

Click HERE to view the computer requirements you need to provide in this IDL program.

Digital Audio Workstations, also known as DAWs are an integral part of the modern audio industry. DAWs are used in all aspects of the audio industry, from the recording studio to live show production. In this course, students will be introduced to DAWs and will learn about the many exciting possibilities the audio industry has to offer. Learning the basics of computer technology and macOS is the starting ground for classes enrolled in the program. Students will move into the DAW, one of the primary tools of the audio industry. During their introductory course, students will focus on learning the industry-standard workstation: Avid’s Pro Tools.

 

Through many hands-on exercises, projects, and detailed instruction, students will develop an understanding of digital audio editing, effects processing, mixing, audio production, sound design, and critical listening skills. After students have learned the fundamentals of digital audio they will move into advanced editing techniques, jingle production, and sound design. When learning with the use of creative projects, classes will learn about elastic audio, time compression, and expansion techniques in Pro Tools. Aligning audio loops and voice overs will be covered to create jingle productions. Students will also work on a sound design clip using audio and MIDI to create a unique sound design project for their demo reel.

 

Projects completed in RASP 101IDL:

  • Podcast Editing Project
  • Pro Tools Mixing Project
  • Elastic Audio Project
  • Sound Design Project
  • Jingle Production Project

Music producers must have a good understanding of music theory and artist interaction. In this course, students will be introduced to music production and an introductory course in music theory. Classes will learn about the theory and history of recorded sound, as well as developing a good foundation of music appreciation and diversity. Students will quickly move into music theory where they will learn about scales, key signatures, and structure. Once students have a good understanding of music theory they will move into the music production software: Logic Pro. Students will learn about MIDI production first inside Logic Pro, but also see how to use those aspects within Pro Tools as well. Through many hands-on exercises, projects, and detailed instruction, students will develop a good understanding of Logic Pro and its endless creative possibilities. During the course projects, students will learn about MIDI and music production, as well as remixing and sampling techniques.

 

Projects completed in RASP 102IDL:

  • Logic Pro Mixing Project
  • Logic Pro MIDI Project
  • Logic Pro Remix Project
  • Pro Tools MIDI Project

Students are first introduced to the concept of career development, what it means, and its monumental purpose in helping them find a job in their field of study. They will focus on the design of their own personal portfolio, which will include a cover letter, resume, business card, and self-marketing social media outlets like SoundCloud, Behance, and Vimeo. This week is deeply focused on helping students get the skills necessary to obtain an internship. The week is wrapped up by covering interviewing skills with an instructor-led mock interview session.

 

Projects completed in CD 101IDL2:

  • Resume and Cover Letter (1st Draft)
  • Bio
  • Social Media
  • Mock Interview

Working in the recording studio is a very fun and creative environment for audio engineers and music producers. Having a good understanding of all technical equipment in the recording studio is essential for any audio engineer. In this course, students will be introduced to industry-standard equipment and techniques including analog consoles, patch bays, signal flow, outboard processors, and audio recording. This course is different from the previous individual and solitary learning focus and places students into small teams to accomplish project goals. Students will work on several signal flow projects and will connect studio equipment through patch-bays. They will learn the techniques used for installing and connecting studio equipment with consistent drilling. Students will also cover industry-standard microphones and the fundamental microphone techniques used for recording vocals and various musical instruments. By the end of this course, students will have a firm understanding of the recording process, studio etiquette, signal flow, and teamwork.
 
 
Projects completed in RASP 103IDL:
  • Solo Artist Project
  • Artist Development Pre-Production Project
  • Artist Development Production Project

Understanding the psychology of a recording session and working with musicians in the recording studio is critical for all music producers and audio engineers. In this course, students will be introduced to artist development and more concepts in music theory. Students learn about developing an artist from the pre-production to production phases of recording and developing a more advanced understanding of music theory. Diving further into music theory, classes will cover more in-depth musical terminology, notational, compositional, aural skills, and musical analysis. Once students have a good understanding of music theory, they will move into the pre-production phase of the class production project. Classes will produce a song as a group using the skills learned in music theory and previous courses. Following the class production project, students will produce a podcast and radio spot.
 
 
Projects completed in RASP 104IDL:
  • Class Pre-Production Project
  • Class Production Project
  • Podcast Project
  • Radio Spot Project

Mixing Engineers must have a good understanding of music production and the technical equipment used during the mixing process. Working as a mix engineer, one must have good communication skills and an understanding of the terminology used in the recording studio. In this course, students will be introduced to the Raven control surface and the techniques of mixing various genres of music. Classes will learn about more advanced editing techniques, vocal tuning, sample replacement, critical listening skills, and mix analysis. Once students have a good understanding of the Raven and the editing and mixing techniques used for music, they will mix the projects that were recorded in their previous courses. During these mixing projects, students will align drums, add samples, tune vocals, and learn industry-standard editing shortcuts that will improve their workflow. During the course projects, students will learn about mixing music for specific genres and will develop their ears through various critical listening exercises. Students will complete the course by finalizing an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for an artist.
 
Projects completed in RASP 105IDL:
  • Audio Editing Project
  • Solo Artist Mix Project
  • Class Production Mix Project
  • Artist Development Mix Project and EPK

During this course students will learn about Ohm’s Law, cable termination, restoring poor quality audio, and project studio mastering techniques. Professional audio engineers have a good understanding of electronics especially Ohm’s Law. Ohm’s law is explained in detail to keep students from damaging equipment by knowing how to properly match amplifiers and speakers. Cable terminations are also a must-have trade skill when starting in the audio industry. Cable termination included in this course covers soldering and crimping multiple types of connections like XLR connectors and RJ45 connectors. Other more utilitarian objectives will be covered with audio restoration and mastering. Studio One, another DAW, will be added to the class workflow, where they will work on mastering using the tools inside of the software. Classes will cover various audio mastering standards for streaming and digital audio platforms from a project studio perspective. Students also master all projects that were mixed in the previous courses, which will be sequenced on their demo reel.
 
Projects completed in RASP 106IDL:
  • Soldering Project
  • Crimping Project
  • Audio Restoration Project
  • DAW Mastering Project
  • Demo Reel Project

The second week of Career Development will center in on what it takes to be an entrepreneur and get students ready to begin applying for jobs. Students will learn how to update the job portfolios created in the first week of Career Development, with a fine-tuned focus on entry-level employment in their career field. This week will also go over proper networking skills and creating an elevator pitch. Students finish off the week by making sure all of their requirements are met for graduation.
 
Projects completed in CD201IDL:
  • Resume and Cover Letter (2nd Draft)
  • Career Planning Session

Location sound and field recording is an exciting industry for students to learn and experience. In this course, students will be introduced to location sound and the techniques used for capturing high-quality audio on set. Students learn about set etiquette, synchronization, microphone techniques, field recording, and camera basics. Classes will be working as a team to scout locations for a shoot to record high-quality audio using boom microphone and lavalier microphone techniques taught by instructors. Students will transfer the audio recorded on location and use the editing techniques learned in previous courses to clean the audio and spot for a video project. By the end of this course, classes will have a very good understanding of working on set for TV and film, capturing audio during field recording, and a basic understanding of cameras and terminology used on set.
 
Projects completed in RASP 107IDL:
  • Field Recording Project
  • Location Sound Project

Audio post-production and sound design have specific techniques when added to visual media like TV, cinema, and even the web. Students will learn about the creative process that goes into sound design and Foley. Foley is a method used to create sounds using everyday props in real-time, in sync with prerecorded video. Students will also learn how to operate an industry-standard control surface, record looping dialogue, create new original sound effects, compose a short score, and mix for surround sound. During each class, a specific audio post-production technique is learned and then applied to the student’s class project, which is posting audio to a scene from a film, video game, or television spot. By the end of the course, students will have scored, recorded dialogue, recorded Foley, recorded sound effects, and re-recorded two post projects. Additionally, students will be introduced to game audio and will implement sound using a video game engine.
 
Projects completed in RASP 108IDL:
  • Voice-Over Project
  • Short Post Project
  • Audio Post Project
  • Game Audio Project

The audiovisual (A/V) industry is one of the top industries for employment in the audio field. Graduates of the program, after completing this course, are equipped with the knowledge to obtain an entry-level job in the A/V industry. Students will learn the practices of A/V signal flow, set-up, and breakdown. During the course, students will learn how to connect audio equipment, visual equipment, and lighting. Students will learn to operate A/V consoles different than encountered in previous courses, and additionally, wireless microphones, in-ear monitor systems, and A/V communications systems. As the course progresses, students will learn A/V Integration where they will learn techniques for commercial and residential installations.
 
Projects completed in RASP 109IDL:
  • A/V System Design Project

Live sound is one of the largest and most exciting aspects of the entertainment industry. There are many career opportunities in live sound and touring than any other area of the audio industry. It is essential for any audio professional to understand the principles of live sound. This course prepares our students for this career path. Classes will learn the theories and practices used in sound reinforcement, theater, and touring applications. Learning how sound systems work and are setup, along with live sound console operation, are the introductory topics in the course. As the course progresses, classes setup sound systems, use stage-plots, create artist monitor mixes, and most importantly front of house mixes for a live audience. Throughout the course, students will learn the invaluable skills of system setup and installation, troubleshooting, safety, maintenance, and playback systems.
 
Projects completed in RASP 110IDL:
  • Tech Rehearsal Project
  • Show Production Projects
Recording Arts IDL

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