Cape Audio College - The Institute of Sound Technology

The Higher Certificate in Sound Technology is a 1-year certificate course that gives a great introduction to the craft of Sound Engineering through theory lectures and practical hands on training. The exit level outcomes of this course is designed to ensure a competence level that will create opportunities for internships in the workplace, entry-level employment possibilities and progression to further higher educational studies.

The course is primarily vocational, or industry oriented. This course also serves to provide students with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies. This certificate signifies that the student has attained a basic level of knowledge and competence in sound engineering and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace. The Higher Certificate includes a simulated work experience in the form of practical operation and completion of audio projects in our many practical labs and studios.

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ARE CONSULTED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO ENSURE THE SKILLS OBTAINED IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ALIGNED TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS MAKING YOU MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE JOB MARKET!

During the Cape Audio College Higher Certificate in Sound Technology students start by learning the fundamentals of sound and human hearing and then go on to be introduced to the equipment which forms the building blocks of an audio sound system whether it be in studio or live sound. As the students learn about the equipment, they are given practical assignments which gives them hands on experience enabling the students to grasp concepts relating to signal flow and the basic operation and interconnection of all the equipment used in the audio production environment.

Today computers and software have become an integral part of audio production and the Higher Certificate students will be put through their paces learning the Macintosh Platform and software programs like Pro Tools and Propeller Head’s Reason.

As part of the practical assessment, students are required to record and produce radio commercials ready for air play, record and mix bands in the studio, do sound design and mixing to picture for film or television, as well as learning about compact disc production utilizing the latest computer and digital editing recording equipment available to date.

Successful Students
Over the past 15 years the Cape Audio College has trained a huge amount of talented people. Our graduates are working all over the world in top spots spanning all corners of the audio industry Read More

Studio Gallery
Our 13 state of the art studios will ensure your development in the technical field of sound engineering. This truly is the most well equiped training facility in the country. Have a look for yourself. Read More

Students Work

Some great music comes out of our studios. As part of the course work students produce local bands which often results in some pretty serious sounding music. Have a listen to some of the better ones here. Read More

Due to the constant evolution and growing demands of the audio industry, students are required to become workplace-ready as soon as possible. The purpose of the Higher Certificate is to give learners a thorough understanding of the theory and practical requirements to have the competency levels to be successfully employed in the audio industry.

MODULE 1 – AUDIO TECHNOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS

Sound and vibration
The Ear
Dynamic Range
Wavelength
Frequency
Phase
Headroom
Gain structure
Frequency ranges
Frequency response
Localization
Fletcher Munson
Weighting networks

MODULE 2 - SOUND MEASUREMENT

The Decibel
Sound levels
Acoustic power measurements
Electrical measurements
dBm, dBv, dBu Measurements
Meters Vu and PPM
Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
Margin
Peak Hold

MODULE 3 - BASIC ELECTRONICS

Voltage
Power
Impedance
Resistance
Electronic circuits
Specifications
Soldering and wiring techniques

MODULE 4 - MICROPHONE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION

Types of microphone
Transduction methods
Polar patterns
Proximity effect
Acoustic phase shift network
Phantom power
Microphone makes and models
Microphone applications and characteristics
Microphone techniques for stereo miking
Using microphones in the studio

MODULE 5 - THE AUDIO SIGNAL CHAIN/RECORDING EQUIPMENT

Modern recording consoles
Equalizers
Noise reduction units
Compressors, limiters, noise gates and expanders
Reverberation devices
Delay effects processing
Recording mediums and technologies

MODULE 6 - APPLIED MUSIC

Grade 1 music theory
Chords and keys
Music notation
Slurs and ties
Tempo and key signatures
Basic composition

MODULE 7 - COMPUTER BASED AUDIO

Hard disk recording
Computer orientation
Introduction to Pro Tools DAW
Basic session / Disk storage / Backup
Hardware setup
Mix/Edit windows

MODULE 8 - MUSIC PRODUCTION/RECORDING

Planning a recording session
Selecting microphones
Dealing with musicians and producers
Selecting a recording medium
Setting up cue mixes
Track sheets
Signal processing
Flow and continuity of a recording session
overdubs

MODULE 9 - AUDIO VISUAL PRODUCTION

Video formats
Music beds
Sound effects
Voice- overs
Picture sync
Final Mix

MODULE 10 - MIDI (Musical instrument Digital Interface)

Connections/Transmission data
Masters / slaves
Program channels
Control changes
Midi Modes
Computers and MIDI
Midi in live performance and studio
Implementation charts

MODULE 11 - MIXING –MUSIC

Arrangements
Genre
Eq
Levels
Frequency spectrum
Use of effects
Dynamics
Final balance

MODULE 12 - INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO TECHNOLOGY

Analogue to digital conversion
Digital synchronization
Digital side effects
Using digital in audio production

MODULE 13 - LIVE SOUND

Small, medium and large systems
Front of house
Monitor systems
Sound check
Trouble shooting
Design for max intelligibility

MODULE 14 - ACOUSTICS

Modes/standing waves
Resonant frequencies
Psychoacoustics
Isolation, reflection, absorption
Sound proofing techniques
Acoustic treatments
Control room design

MODULE 15 - MASTERING

The mastering studio
Eq and compression
Monitors
Level Balance
Signal processing
Media considerations and final distribution

Course Details:

Course Duration:

1 Year starting July to June the following year.

Each week, the students will attend one theory lecture and then book studio time for the remainder of the week.

Lectures:

Lectures take the form of interactive "workshops" and static lectures, covering a curriculum composed of both audio theory, and procedural exercises. The lectures run from 09:30 - 13:00 on Monday Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Additional lectures will be scheduled through the year where guest facilitators and industry professionals will share their expertise with students.

Studio Time:

Practical studio time is booked in 3 hour sessions between 09:00 and 18:00 Mondays to Fridays. Facilitators and staff members are constantly present to assist and guide students' progress. This creates a one on one practical learning experience.

Course Structure:

The course comprises an theory section and a wide variety of practical assignments. A year mark is established from theory examinations as well as practical assignments in a continuous assessment program, totalling 1500 marks. To graduate, students must obtain at least 900 marks in total (60%) in the following areas:

Acoustic recording practical - 100 Marks

Applied music examination – 100 Marks

Radio Production assignment – 200 Marks

First theory examination - 100 Marks

Audio Visual assignment – 200 Marks

Second theory examination - 100 Marks

Acoustic design portfolio - 100 Marks

Final CD portfolio submission – 300 Marks

Final examination – 300 Marks

TOTAL - 1500 Marks

Access to the Course

The course is open to any candidate that meets any of the following requirements.

• Successful completion of South African grade 12 or equivalent. (Senior Certificate) Or:

• Successful completion of the equivalent academic learning of an NQF 4 or higher.

• Successful completion of a Higher Certificate in a cognate field. (Audio industry)

• RPL from other educational institutes.

• Applicants, who have not completed the South African grade 12 or equivalent, but, who have previous experience will be assessed individually according to the Recognition of Prior Learning.

• Applications will only be considered if the applicant has a command of the English language.