The Study For A Sound Engineering And Recording Class
- 1. The Study for a Sound Engineering and Recording Class By Reginald Gordon
- 2. Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………3 Research Report ……………………………………………………………………………..4 1. Identifying costs for funding a Sound Engineering and recording program …………........4 2. Identifying the different types of equipment and programs ……………………………......5 3. Evaluate what equipment and programs best fit the school, according to the criteria ……6 4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording equipment ……………………………………8 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………...9 Recommendation …………………………………………………………………………….10 References …………………………………………………………………………………...11 List of Tables and Graphics Table 1: DAW Programs……………………………………………………………………...6 Graphic 1: Cakewalk SONAR 7………………………………………………………………7 Graphic 2: Sony Sound Forge 9……………………………………………………………… 7
- 3. Abstract A couple of months ago while I was in my elective class, I discovered the class was uninteresting. Thinking about other subjects that would relate to my computer field electives, I immediately came up with the thought of a sound engineering and recording class. Being presented with the opportunity to persuade the school, I immediately started my research. First I research about the cost of adding another class to the curriculum. Although I was unable to find information on that, I figured that would be decided by the school. I then researched the cost of the equipment. The amount came to between $5,000 and $6,000. After researching the different types of equipment and discovering which was better for the school, I decided it would be best to use Digital Audio Workstations. By using the workstation, it will give each student the opportunity to have their own workstation to use. The name of the DAW is Cakewalk SONAR 7 Studio Edition Digital Audio Workstation. The workstation program includes: 64-bit precision floating point mix engine, editing and task management tools, sounds (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, Session Drummer 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the ability to create audio-in MIDI tracks. The total cost of this program is $160. Keywords: MIDI, Digital Audio Workstation, Sequencer, Dimension LE, Rapture LE
- 4. Report I actually did not find any helpful information on the internet about funding for a class. So I figured that the tuition students pay each quarter, would help maintain the class. The money from the budget could actually help develop the class, and the equipment would help make the class successful or the school can determine the cost of the class. In this section, I will present the results of my research. I will cover costs of equipment, identifying cost of the program, identifying the types of equipment, and evaluating the best fit for the school. 1. Identifying costs for funding a Sound Engineering and recording program.
- 5. Report cont’d During my research, I discovered there are several different types of recording equipment and recording programs: Recording Equipment Multi-track recorders, sequencers, signal processors, and mixers Usually, any stable studio will have these items in them. Recording Software M-Audio, Pro Tools, Cubase 5, Cakewalk SONAR, and Sony Sound Forge. Studio Monitors Microphones Midi 2. Identifying the different types of equipment and programs.
- 6. Report cont’d After researching the different types of equipment and programs, I decided it will be in the best interest of the school to go with the DAW The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) will be using the school’s computer in the computer labs, a microphone, and a DAW Program. Consists of recording and editing abilities, sound processing, and a multi-track mixer. Narrowed down to 4 DAW programs: SONAR 7, Reason 4, Pro Tools, and Acid Pro. 3. Evaluate what equipment and programs best fit the school, according to the criteria. Table 1. DAW Programs 1 (a) editor (b) multi-track recorder (c) Recording VST automation 2 Is this program compatible with the computers at the school?
- 7. Report cont’d Decided to eliminate the Reason 4 and Pro Tools programs because of compatibility issues with the school computers. Left me with Cakewalk SONAR 7 and Sony’s Sound Forge 9 digital audio workstations Graphic 1: Cakewalk SONAR 7 Graphic 2: Sony Sound Forge 9
- 8. Report cont’d 4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording equipment. After searching through several websites that sell recording equipment, I have discovered that the total cost of equipment ranged from the area of 5,000 to 6,000. The DAW software will come to about $3,200 (estimate of getting 20 DAW programs) and the microphones will come to $2000 (estimate of getting 20 microphones).
- 9. Conclusion All four products----Cakewalk SONAR 7, Digidesign Pro Tools, Propellerhead Reason 4, and Sony Sound Forge 9---are high quality digital audio workstations, but Cakewalk SONAR 7 fared best in my assessment of each digital audio workstation’s cost, compatibility, and features not listed in the table. Although I did not get to experience the Cakewalk SONAR 7 software, I did watch tons of videos on the product. To me, it seems it will be the easiest to use out of all 4 products. It has excellent features and the price is what stood out the most. I also watched a lot of videos for the Sony Sound Forge 9 software. Both the SONAR 7 and the Sound Forge 9 are similar products in what is offered.
- 10. Recommendations In the end, I decided to go with the Cakewalk SONAR 7. The reason for this is due to the price. Due to the budget the price became the number one factor since the products are basically the same. The price allows the school to buy multiple copies of the program. The product also offers: 64-bit precision floating point mix engine, editing and task management tools, sounds (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, Session Drummer 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the ability to create audio-in MIDI tracks. From the start, I only noticed one microphone product that caught my eye. So I recommend the Samsom COIU Condenser USB Microphone.
- 11. “ Blowout.” zZ ounds . zZounds Music, LLC. 2 March 2009 <http://www.zzounds.com/blowouts> “ Building a Recording Studio.” HowStuffWorks . HowStuffWorks, Inc. 2 March 2009 < http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/recording-studio2.htm> “ Clearance Center.” Musicians Friend . Musicians Friend Inc. 2 March 2009 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/clearance DanijeL-one. Music. 2001. 8 March 2009 <http://danijel-one.deviantart.com/art/ Music-65916148> “ Digital Audio Workstation.” Wikipedia . 13 Feb. 2009. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 2 March 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Workstation “ Music Production Software.” Musicians Friend . Musicians Friend Inc. 2 March 2009 <http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/software/music-production-software> References/Work Cited List
- 12. References/Work Cited List cont’d “ Outlet Zone.” American Musical . American Musical Supple, Inc. 2 March 2009 <http://www.americanmusical.com/Clearance.aspx> “ Recording Software.” Best Buy . Best Buy. 2 March 2009 <http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat152100050026&type=category> “ Sonar 7.” Rocketpoll. 2 March 2009 <http://www.rocketpoll.com/HowTo.php> “ Sonar 7 logo" Sonic State. Sonic State Ltd. 8 March 2009 <http://www.sonicftp.com/news/images/cakewalk_sonar7pe_logo.jpg> “ Sound Forge 9.” Sony Creative Software. Sony Creative Software, Inc 2 March 2009 < http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/product.asp?pid=431>