SOUND PRODUCTION

GRADED UNIT PROJECT

Greig Robertson
Project Title:
Studio Engineer

Planning Stage

The Planning Stage for my project is in five sections and relates to the five
components of this stage as follows:
1. Introduction interpretation of the brief and project outline

2. Project Aims
3. Research and information sources
4. Materials and resources
5. Stages involved and the timescales for completion of each stage

Graded Unit The Planning Stage

Project Title Studio Engineer
1.

Introduction the brief

I have been tasked to complete and compile a portfolio of my completed
work and experiences gained during my time spent on the HNC Sound
Production course.

Project Outline
My goal is to present a portfolio in the form of a website. This way, it will be easy for
me to update and it will prove very beneficial for potential employers. It is more
relevant that I send employers a link that will contain my CV along with all of the
information that they will need to know in order to make a decision in whether or not
to employee me.

In order to become a studio engineer (potentially even a producer) it is essential that

this website represents all of my experiences and achievements in the audio
engineering field. They will be based upon the core modules within the Sound
Production HNC course. I will describe what each module is, what I have learned and
how the knowledge I have gained has helped me grow and develop as an engineer.
The website must also be presented in a manner of professionalism and clearly
explain why I am a suitable candidate for work in the industry.

My intention to become a studio engineer will be indicated by the outcome of the

career direction quiz that I have completed. This has made me believe that I have
chosen the correct path in the audio industry.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

I am a hard worker

Problem Solver

Large Creative Mind

Can provide creative input

Organized

Good time keeping skills

Opportunities

Neighbour is in band looking to

make music

College mates all musically

gifted, have expressed interests in
working together

Studio facilities at college

Weaknesses

Occasional Frustration

Threats

Highly competitive industry

Current students on same

course as me

The process of putting together a website will mean I will have to produce a wide
range of materials. Many of those materials will be produced as part of my HNC
course and I can therefore use these for my portfolio. For example:

Mixes I have completed in the studio

Songs I have recorded outwith of class

DAW projects

Video and Photographic evidence of my time spent in the studio

Video and Photographic evidence of my time spent in the theatre

The following table identifies which units will help address the above.
Materials / Information

Mixes I have completed in the

Source Unit

Multitrack Mixing

studio

Songs I have recorded outside of

Extra-Curricular

class

DAW projects

DAW 1/Audio for Multimedia

Video evidence of my time spent in

Multitrack Mixing/Extra Curricular

the studio

Video evidence of my time spent in

Sound Reinforcement/Extra

the theatre

Curricular

2. Project Aims
Below are my project aims where I show how I will achieve my goal to create a
website to display my portfolio.
1. Successfully complete this Graded Unit Project and my HNC Sound Production
studies by the end of May 2015.
2. Write a description of my core modules.
3. Gather the necessary materials.
4. Register a domain name.
5. Design my website.
6. Write my CV.
7. Upload content to the website.
8. Test the website.
9. Publish the finished website.

3. Research and information sources

Research and information sources to be used or accessed include:

The HNC units, especially core units and the notes from each class

The internet

Lectures

Colleagues

Books
Professional engineers I know from outside college

Course information and how I plan integration of knowledge and skills

The tables below display what I plan to produce for my portfolio and how I will use
the skills and knowledge gained from the core units in my HNC studies. Each core
unit is listed as well as the outcomes then in the opposite column I have stated what I
intend to include in my portfolio, therefore showing my use of the knowledge and
skills.
HNC Sound Production Graded Unit Project

Core Unit

How knowledge and/or skills might be

integrated

Creative Industries Infrastructure

Outcome 1

Identify and describe the Creative Industries

Outcome 2

Identify sources of support, advice, funding

Outcome 3

Investigate and examine networking opportunities

Working in the Creative

Industries
Outcome 1

Investigate skills required to develop a career in

the Creative Industries

Outcome 2

Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the concepts

of the commercial, legal and financial issues
involved in employment in the Creative Industries
Outline and develop a strategic plan for personal
career development

Outcome 3

Sound Production Theory

Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Outcome 3
Outcome 4

Demonstrate an understanding of common

components found in the audio recording and
reproduction process
Demonstrate an understanding of microphones
and microphone techniques
Describe the principles of stereo audio imaging
Demonstrate an understanding of audio signal
processing

Acoustics
Outcome 1

Describe the physical properties of sound

Outcome 2

Explain the human hearing mechanism

Analyse the acoustic properties of enclosed

Outcome 3

spaces

DAW
Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Outcome 3
Outcome 4

Configure a digital audio workstation

Perform audio and MIDI integration
Perform a mixdown of a multitrack session with
audio processing
Produce an edited production master

Sound Production Practice

Demonstrate the correct procedure for connecting
Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Outcome 3

audio systems
Demonstrate the correct procedure for testing
audio systems
Demonstrate the correct process for recording
audio signals from various sources

4. Materials and Resources

I am going to seperate this section up between materials and resources to be used
for this project and those I will require for my business.

Materials and Resources for completing this project include:

Knowledge from the HNC units and the notes from each of the classes

Reference books

The Internet

A computer to type up reports and produce materials e.g. promotion

Video and audio submission evidence from DAW, Multitrack mixing, Sound

Reinforcement etc.

Design software for both paper and web-based materials

ProTools
Cubase

5. Stages and timescales

I will use planning sheets to help manage my time, as produced on the Blackboard
support materials.
I have identified the stages and timescales for completing my Graded Unit project as
follows:

Feb

Begin to assemble
G.U. plan

Assemble materials for

portfolio

Assess best possible material from DAW

Mar

Once DAW material

has been personally
compiled. Begin working on video and
screenshot evidence
Begin to asses studio
recordings

Begin recording video

evidence and taking
photos in studio, DAW,
live etc.

Look through recorded

visual evidence and decide which is
best to submit

Enter studio if more

needs to be done

Begin building portfolio

structure, begin to
build website

check content with lecturer and if need be edit

anything thats needs to
be changed.

Once completed, compile

Best recordings for
portfolio submission
Check with lecturer. If all
Is well, submit Portfolio.

Apr
May