Guild Charter - Audio Engineering

  • Meeting times: Tuesdays at 2:00 PM MT
  • Meeting location: Stauffer Communications, ASU Tempe Campus B204
  • Guild coordinator: Eduardo Orea Dominguez

Guild Purpose and what is an Audio Engineer


An Audio Engineer should be able to understand not only the technical aspects of a sound design process but also be capable of delving into the structural and creative areas of a project. The purpose of the Audio Engineering guild is to prepare audio engineers to excel in their craft by equipping them with the tools and competencies required to navigate the present-day and future music industry.


Experiential Learning


Members of the guild will have hands-on opportunities to practice:

  • Learning and Using Recording Studio Equipment
  • In-Depth Audio Mixing and Mastering
  • Creating full, spatial sounds that are not overpowering (avoid clipping or muddy sounds)
  • Software related to Audio (DAW, Plugins, etc.)
  • Exploring the relationship between audio and physical spaces
  • Using different mixing techniques based on location, situation, and instrumentation
  • Ear training (different media), Equal Loudness Contours, and MIDI and its uses
  • Manipulating sound to tell stories, perspectives, POVs, etc.
  • Experimenting with new/different workflows
  • Distinguishing and basics of Field recording vs Foley recording vs sound designing
  • Digital Signal Processing, Sampling (A/D and D/A conversion), and Audio Drivers
  • Applying sounds realistically in a 3D space (whether that be through panning/mixing in a solely auditory experience or in a 3D world)
  • MAX/MSP and Ableton

Foundational Knowledge


Members will gain a basic understanding of:

  • What audio can do (enhancing media)
  • Standard audio engineering techniques for different genres and styles
  • Uses and manipulation of different effects/plugins (compression, distortion, noise filtering, etc.)
  • Offering constructive audio critiques
  • Industry-standard audio workflows in the realm of audio engineering.

Competencies


Members will develop competencies including:

  • Navigating DAWs and trackers, especially those outside of their main tool
  • Basic understanding of plugins used in audio engineering
  • Using available tools and plugins to achieve the desired product

Goals


  • To foster a community of skilled audio engineers equipped to navigate the demands of the music industry.