Cape Audio College - The Institute of Sound Technology

The Advanced Certificate in Audio Engineering course is a 1- year course designed as a progression of learning course in the Audio Engineering field and the entry requirements are a Higher certificate in that field.

This qualification is primarily vocational, or industry oriented. The qualification provides students with a sound knowledge base in the field or discipline of Audio Engineering and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to a particular career, or professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialized and intensive learning. Programs leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus and holders of this qualification are normally prepared to enter a specific niche in the audio industry. Advanced Certificate programs typically include a simulated work experience or a work integrated learning component. This will be achieved in the form of internships and project work done in our many recording studios, labs and work areas.

Cape Audio College Advanced Certificate in Audio engineering students start off by getting stuck into the nitty gritty of advanced recording techniques starting with an in depth analysis and appreciation of various instruments including drum tuning, instrument timbre, microphone placements, pre amps and acoustical considerations.

Students are then given a thorough understanding of the workings of digital audio systems and how to implement this technology into modern production environments.

With this knowledge firmly in place the advanced students then embark on an in depth study of the Pro Tools environment including technical and operational skills of this industry standard DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

Acoustics are then studied in depth and students have to design a recording studio complex from the ground up in the form of a detailed acoustic design proposal.

Audio visual production then takes precedence and students are taught all aspects of putting a sound track together from music and effects to dialogue, location recording to final mix.

Practical assignments form a integral part of this qualification and each aspect of the course has a specific practical assignment which ensures that every student has had adequate experience and achieved suitable competence in the module or component presented ensuring to satisfy the expectations of future employers within the audio industry.

The exit level outcomes of this qualification are designed to ensure a high competence level that will create opportunities for general employment in the workplace. Completion of the Advanced Certificate meets the minimum entry requirement into a cognate Diploma course. Accumulated credits may also be presented for admission into the Diploma in Audio Engineering.

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

Entry Requirements

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

• The minimum entry requirement is a Higher Certificate in the appropriate field.
• RPL from other educational institutes.
• Applicants 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.

Curriculum Outline

Module 1 – Advanced Recording and Mixing Techniques
Drum tuning
Mic placement
Room acoustic assessment
Re amping
Vocal recording
High level automation and effects manipulation
Music instrument appreciation

Module 2 – The Principles of Digital Audio
Perceptual coding
Mp3
Audio for the net
Transmission
PCM
Nyquist Theorem
Digital synchronization

Module 3 – Pro Tools Advanced – Software and Hardware Configurations
Digedesign/M Audio hardware
Mac OSX optimization configuration
Preferences
Plug ins
Navigating Digi web site
Advanced work flow procedures
Fault finding

Module 4 – Pro Tools Advanced – Production Techniques
Advanced routing
Combining plug ins and outboard effects
High level automation
Elastic timing
Beat Detective
Midi
Virtual instruments
Reason Rewire

Module 5 – Acoustics
Louden, Seppmeyer, Bolt
Sabin Equation
Helm Holtz resonators
Diffusion
Reflection
Absorption
Resonance
Wave acoustics/Ray acoustics
Construction and sound proofing
Design elements

Module 6 – Live Sound
Front of house
Monitor concepts/stage, in ear
Drive racks
Line array
Feedback control
Consoles and live outboard options
Amplifier technology

Module 7 – Post Production AV
Dialogue editing and mixing
Sound design and Foley
Location/field recording
Stereo and surround sound mixing
OMF
Video formats
Time codes
Cue lists
Dealing with clients

Course Details

Course Duration:

1 Year starting January, ending November, or 1 Year from July to June.

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 Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs. 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, totaling 2000 marks. To graduate, students must obtain at least 1000 marks in total (50%) in the following areas:

• Advanced recording assignment - 200 Marks
• Advanced Mixing Assignment – 200 Marks
• First theory examination – 100 Marks
• Audio editing and production assignment – 200 Marks
• Midi production – 200 Marks
• Second theory examination – 200 Marks
• Live sound assessment – 100 Marks
• Acoustic design portfolio – 200 Marks
• Audio Visual assignment - 200
• Final examination – 400 Marks

TOTAL - 2000 Marks