8 Sound Design courses

This 6 week course will support you to make the most of the range of applications Adobe Premiere Pro offers in the production of video. Sample footage will be provided for you throughout the course, but you can also bring along your own video files to work on. The course is quite technical so some computer experience is required. We use Macs on the course – the Premiere interface is the same across operating systems but some shortcuts and menu items are different. Week 1- The basics This week we’ll start with some of the basics, introducing you to editing and Premiere Pro through: A short history of editing; from analogue to digital Getting to know the layout of Premiere Pro Working with ‘bins’ (folders) and creating edit Sequences Making selects from the rushes and sound files by creating in and out points Introducing clips to the timeline and making a simple edit with music Understanding rendering for smooth, full quality playback Week 2- Editing narrative sequences This week we’ll get further stuck into editing by building narrative, focus on offline editing‚ better organisation of your projects and breaking down footage through: Re-linking lost or moved footage Video ingest – importing and organising clips Organising and breaking down rushes using annotated markers and sub-clips Basics of the effects and motion settings Using our skills to create a simple narrative sequence Editing a dialogue sequence Considering the best ways of exporting your film for online Learn Adobe Media Encoder for more efficient exporting Week 3- Video settings, effects & titles This week we will focus in on what makes up video from a technical standpoint. We will then look at how we can work with and alter these parameters for different uses in our films through: Transcoding – converting the footage into an editable file and understanding codecs and meta data Adjusting scale and positioning and using motion keyframes to create movement over time Adding titles and animating them Applying transitions and various stock video effects Layering tracks and using opacity and different layer blending effects Creating masks and using motion tracking Working with green-screen footage, creating mattes, mask filters and working with multiple layers Week 4- Audio & sound This week we’ll consider the importance of sound design and music for narrative and atmosphere in film and experimental video through: Learning how to enhance your film with sound and music Introducing audio and music to the timeline, cutting and leveling Laying down music and cutting the footage to fit Building sound design around an existing edit with sync-sound and SFX Common practice and different approaches for syncing external microphone audio and video Mastering the audio and making sure that it is all levelled Learning how to create subtitles for our films and different methods to export/embed them Week 5- Colour This week we’ll start looking at colour in our videos and what role that plays. We will look at the process of colour grading and changing the mood in our films through: Using Lumetri Colour, the colour-correcting function within Premiere Pro CC Matching the colour of different cameras to create a similar look Creating different “colour grades” to create different atmospheres Stylising our footage Understand the colour limitations of video files and the importance of exposure when filming Working with tracked masks to isolate certain areas within your image to colour correct Week 6- Putting it all together In our final week we will get the opportunity to experiment with all the skills we’ve learned to create an opening sequence for a tv series. This is also a great opportunity to revisit any topics from previous weeks.   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

About this Training Course Well engineers who are responsible for technically evaluating and authorizing programs for drilling or working over wells must have the required skills and competencies to safely design wells of varying nature. They also need to be able to confirm that well delivery and intervention programs generate intrinsic well control assurance. Such work programs must establish, verify, monitor and maintain suitable and sufficient barriers for the entire well lifecycle - from spud to abandonment. Well engineers must also be able to select a suitable drilling or workover rig, capable of safely performing the work within its operational envelope. This 3 full-day course aims to further develop and assess the knowledge required to work on and eventually, authorize a well delivery program as deemed fit for purpose. It also addresses elements of well control that must be embedded into well design, well work programming and equipment selection. This course is intended for participants who already have a sound understanding of the principles of the design and/or delivery of wells and with more than 3 years of relevant industry experience. Training Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Feel confident to design and plan drilling and workover activities while considering geological risks, formation pressures/strengths, and any integrity or well control concerns. Monitor wells operations and ensure that they can and will remain within the accepted design envelope. Assess risks and then apply mitigation or recovery methods in cases where design envelopes are threatened. Participants should be capable of assessing a drilling or workover program and then be able to answer the following key questions: Does the program delivery have a sound design and work plan that allows the well(s) to be drilled or worked over safely? Have we determined the appropriate kick tolerance for each open hole section and is it realistic for all drilling hazards that may be encountered? Have all drilling hazards been suitably assessed, and the associated risk mitigated to a level as low as reasonably practicable? Are there adequate, verifiable barriers in place throughout the operation and does everybody know their role and responsibility? And, as applicable, is the selected rig capable of implementing the work program? Target Audience This course is intended for personnel directly or indirectly involved in the preparation, review or authorization of drilling and workover programs. This includes: Well engineers and drilling supervisors who are responsible for planning and executing drilling and workover operations. Contractor well engineers, rig managers and other senior drilling staff. Senior well engineers and rig superintendents who are responsible for managing the delivery of a project or well. Technical authority holders who are responsible for licensing drilling and workover operations from a regulatory perspective. Assessment: A satisfactory command of critical knowledge and skills is assured by a 1+ hour closed book assessment. This assessment has a mix of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), calculations and answers that must be written up. The exam is taken electronically. Participants are provided with a suitable formula sheet. The pass mark for issuing a certificate is 70% and participants who are not successful will be issued with a certificate of attendance instead. Trainer Your expert course leader has over 45 years of experience in the Oil & Gas industry. During that time, he has worked exclusively in the well engineering domain. After being employed in 1974 by Shell, one of the major oil & gas producing operators, he worked as an apprentice on drilling rigs in the Netherlands. After a year, he was sent for his first international assignment to the Sultanate of Oman where he climbed up the career ladder from Assistant Driller, to Driller, to wellsite Petroleum Engineer and eventually on-site Drilling Supervisor, actively engaged in the drilling of development and exploration wells in almost every corner of this vast desert area. At that time, drilling techniques were fairly basic and safety was just a buzz word, but such a situation propels learning and the fruits of 'doing-the-basics' are still reaped today when standing in front of a class. After some seven years in the Middle East, a series of other international assignments followed in places like the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Turkey, Denmark, China, Malaysia, and Russia. Apart from on-site drilling supervisory jobs on various types of drilling rigs (such as helicopter rigs) and working environments (such as jungle and artic), he was also assigned to research, to projects and to the company's learning centre. In research, he was responsible for promoting directional drilling and surveying and advised on the first horizontal wells being drilled, in projects, he was responsible for a high pressure drilling campaign in Nigeria while in the learning centre, he looked after the development of new engineers joining the company after graduating from university. He was also involved in international well control certification and served as chairman for a period of three years. In the last years of his active career, he worked again in China as a staff development manager, a position he nurtured because he was able to pass on his knowledge to a vast number of new employees once again. After retiring in 2015, he has delivered well engineering related courses in Australia, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Thailand, India, Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, The Netherlands, and the United States. The training he provides includes well control to obtain certification in drilling and well intervention, extended reach drilling, high pressure-high temperature drilling, stuck pipe prevention and a number of other ad-hoc courses. He thoroughly enjoys training and is keen to continue taking classes as an instructor for some time to come. POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information post training support and fees applicable Accreditions And Affliations

This is a non – qualification course where learners will explore the world of music composition and sound recording for Film, TV & Games. Students will learn how to create, arrange and use music for a visual narrative exploring various genres including epic, horror, thriller, comedy and romance. Along side the music composed for a visual, the recording of sound (field & foley recordings) will be undertaken for the ‘onscreen’ SFX synchronisation. The use of Logic Pro X (DAW) as both a composition and synchronisation tool will be explored, as well as the use and techniques of microphones and field recording devices.  Day: Saturdays (6 weeks) Times: 10am - 3.30pm  Who is this course for?  Those that are interested in Sound and Music for visual media and have an interest in exploring composition and recording for TV, Film & Games. Students are not required to have previous knowledge of playing an instrument, using a DAW or recording with microphones but previous experience would be an advantage  What will I learn?  This will include course objectives. •Understand the history of media sound & music •Understand and use a DAW to compose music •Understand and use compositional techniques to support visual narrative. •Understand and use Microphones and techniques in the recording process •Understand sound design and synchronisation to support visual narrative. How will I learn? The aim of the course is to build an understanding of these specialist areas and use some of the techniques explored in a short visual clip of your choice. The work is completed within the sessions through recording and composition on the equipment and is supported by a vast amount of learning resources supplied by the tutor. Practicing composition and recording at home would also be an advantage if you have the equipment, but not a necessity. 

At Black & Gold Audio we offer beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert sessions for anyone aged 14 and over. The sessions are carried out either within our studios in Truro, Cornwall or remotely using ZOOM. They are designed around you the learner and your own specific wants and needs. Our tutor is an expert in the fields of acoustics, recording, traditional and electronic music composition, music production, sequencing, sound design, mixing and mastering, film, TV and game audio. Who is this course for?  Candidates who are interested in a more one to one based learning program remotely or within a professional industry standard environment, tuition is flexible regarding days, hours and regularity. Most importantly the tutor can design a program that it suited to you and your requirements, a meeting with the tutor can be arranged beforehand to discuss a learning plan for you. Flexible 1 to 1 tutoring is a great way to learn at your own pace with no pressures and with the support of an industry expert. You may also be interested in the RSL Music Production Grades 1-8 which we deliver on a 1 to 1 basis too, see HERE. What will I learn?  This is a very open ended question for these types of sessions, its about what you want to learn and our tutor will talk with you to figure out the a suitable program for your needs. We cater for beginners, intermediates, advanced and expert students. How will I learn? The aim of these courses is to build a basic to advanced knowledge and understanding in various specialist areas of the industry, each tailor made course will support your learning through progress tracking and access to some amazing learning resources provided by our tutor. Each session will focus and build upon the last so that you are eventually able to meet your desired end goal. What equipment do I use on the course? The Black & Gold Studio is equipped with a huge range of both industry standard recording equipment, hardware synthesizers, drum machines, fx processing and control surfaces, and that’s before we even get inside the computer!! You can be taught to use DAW’s such as Logic Pro X, Cubase, Pro Tools & Ableton Live as well as explore other 3rd party softwares such as NI Komplete, Izotope, Fabfilter, Waves and so many more.

An intensive two-year course with a School located in the heart of London, the MA Filmmaking trains to a professional level in a full range of filmmaking skills. Students leave with a portfolio of directing, cinematography, editing, producing, production design and sound credits. The school produces a huge output of films each year on this particular programme, many of which are screened at key festivals annually, previously winning many prizes, including at Locarno, Berlinale, Edinburgh, LaCinef (Cinéfondation). Learning is based on short film production and our students make a new film each term. Each term these film exercises become more technically sophisticated, more considered and more complex in their ambitions. The school specifies the skill base for each exercise, providing the equipment and training students to new levels in each of the various craft skills. Students make all aesthetic decisions while solving problems similar to those faced by professional units, on a steeply increasing slope of difficulty. The work is constantly assessed and critiqued.  This is the core of the London Film School method. Students learn by applying themselves to aesthetic and practical problems generated by the actual process of filmmaking. 

Employing a mix of practical exercises and critical reflection, this introductory day course provides an overview of fundamental techniques for recording and editing voice, ambiences and sound effects for podcasts, video/film and art installations or just for fun. The course uses industry standard software and introduces a range of popular, high quality microphones and portable recording devices. The course has enough flexibility to be steered by the individual interests of the participants, but you will generally cover; the properties of sound, microphone selection and placement, gain structure, effective planning, noise limiting and reduction, sound editing, dynamics, sound processing and spatial effects. If desired, we can look at a variety of techniques for improving sound quality and recording audio from video conferencing, as we all find ourselves working and interacting in this manner every day. Computer experience is required. Morning Microphone Selection – why and when to use Applications, characteristics, limitations Microphone type – Dynamic, Condenser, Lavalier, Shotgun, Boundary, Stereo, Binaural Polar Patterns – Omni, Cardoid, Attenuated and others Practical microphone placement and technique Critical distance, proximity effect, shielding, simple acoustic treatments, filtering Lavalier microphone – positioning, preventing distortion & rustles Booming – positioning, preventing microphone bumps Stereo Mics – phase issues Afternoon Editing techniques (fades, looping) Building a mix Basic sound processing, noise reduction and dynamics (channel strips, EQ and compression) Insert effects (modulation, filtering, distortion) Send effects (delay, reverb) Automation (of volume, panning etc) Bussing (sending signals to multiple fx) Mastering effects (limiting) Exporting and file types   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

Are you a graduate or an industry professional ready to take your career to the next level, develop a new specialism, or see your film idea or project realised? Our MA in Screen and Film Production could enable you to advance your career, develop and enhance your skillset, and align yourself with top industry professionals. Through research-based practice this new MA puts you and your aspirations at the centre of your learning, whilst refining your chosen specialist pathway. 

The Music Technology, Production and Recording course can lead to a degree and career in many different professions. In one year, you could be well on your way to a new job or university study such as: • sound engineer • producer • media composer • sound recordist • music performer • recording artist • acoustic engineer • mixing or mastering engineer • sound designer The qualification gives you all the academic knowledge and creative skills you need for higher education study. It also provides the opportunity to develop study skills that help you to succeed at HE or in the industry sector. The course runs for 3 days per week (9.15am - 2.45pm) What will I study?  The course explores various areas of the industry and in particular those that are career based and can be studied at a higher level. Key subject areas are: • Acoustics in Music Production and Recording  • Music Composition and Theory • MIDI and Audio Sequencing • Sound and Music for Visual Media • Music Technology in Performance • Studio Production and Recording • Sampling and Synthesis You will learn to use industry-standard software and hardware equipment in the classroom, recording studio and live room environments that emulate real-world scenarios and working practices.