Bachelor of Audio Production

Year One

AUD501 Acoustics 1

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of the science of sound. The nature of sound is explored, both theoretically and practically, providing an understanding of the audio process. The sonic theories of binaural localisation and psychoacoustics of sound gives a necessary platform from which all further sound mixes, and decisions, will benefit.

AUD502 Applied Audio Engineering 1

This paper is intended to address the principles of audio engineering equipment through the practical knowledge and application of audio engineering tools at an operational level. The development should bring operational competence on each audio device.

AUD503 Applied Audio Production 1

The paper prepares students in the use of recording and production techniques used to operate a recording studio correctly and safely, recording modest-sized groups in a professional manner.

AUD504 Information Technology and Audio Software

This paper prepares students in the use of a personal computer as a tool for audio engineering and music production. Through an in-depth knowledge of computer architecture required for this production task, students will develop skills in fundamental computing for digital audio workstation design, installation and operation. The required desktop publishing skills necessary for academic publications, presentations and multimedia file integration required for successful study are integrated through audio industry-relevant topics and projects.

AUD505 Music Theory and Technology 1

Music technology involves any device used in the creation of music. Audio technicians and producers work for a significant part of their time with music tracks. This paper develops both rudimentary music theory and musical instrument performance skills for audio producers and musicians ensuring an acceptable understanding when dealing with the music industry conventions. As important as it is for sound engineers to follow a musical score, especially when recording instrumentalists as in the case of classical music, subsequently the pursuit of music contextual history and style analysis from classical to popular music periods are necessary elements to inform recording engineering and production processes.

These music theory, instrument and style analysis skills are combined within a compositional framework to produce complex recorded and electronic musical works.

AUD506 Audio Electronics 1

Many components of audio engineering and production is fundamentally based on creating music with electronic interconnections and instruments. As well as electrical and electromagnetic theory, audio electronics includes the ability to maintain audio cables and equipment and instrument, implement reasonable repairs, and rudimentary circuit construction for audio engineering and production requirements.

CON501 Contextual Studies 1

The student will develop knowledge and skills in academic writing and presenting in the context of music and audio creative arts. The students will develop this knowledge and these skills by examining historical, technological influences and developments in popular music in socio-cultural contexts. This paper leads onto Contextual Studies 2.

MAI501 Music and Audio Industry Studies 

Students will be introduced to the music, audio, and related industries internationally and in New Zealand. This paper will examine different roles and how they function within the industries (locally, nationally, and internationally). Students will gain an awareness of the supporting societies and organisations within these industries in New Zealand. Students will learn the basic principles of small business management and self-employment skills pertinent to practitioners in the music and audio industry, along with relevant marketing and promotional skills.

Year Two

AUD601 Acoustics 2

In order to produce and engineer quality productions, an audio engineer or producer needs to have a skillset and a fundamental understanding of the acoustics of critical listening environments. Room acoustics and soundproofing/correcting, as it relates to studio recording and production is addressed in this paper, both theoretically and practically. This is coupled with a detailed investigation and conservation of the most significant tool in the engineers or producers toolkit, the human auditory system. This is investigated also through a study of audiometry and common ear disorders.

Students will analyse and reflect on audio engineering and production environments and tools, including the conservation of hearing, to improve practice, and a fundamental understating of studio acoustics. This also developing potential additional careers paths in critical listening acoustical room design and audiology.

AUD602 Applied Audio Engineering 2

Advanced audio engineering skills are a necessity when recording and editing music or operating audio sound systems in a modern environment. These skills aid the engineer in capturing complex music, problem-solving technical issues, and operating technical equipment to an industry standard. This paper is intended to address the critical and advanced use of audio tools to develop employment opportunities within the audio engineering industry.

AUD603 Applied Audio Production 2

Succeeding as an audio producer requires the skills and knowledge to best produce complex music to a professional level. This paper prepares students in the use of recording and production techniques within some of the different audio industry sectors.

AUD605 Music Theory and Technology 2

Music production skills are to be developed in an industry that is extremely reliant on creativity through technology in production. Having an understanding of music analysis from both a theory and production perspective is a critical skill set for audio engineering and production. This paper engages the music technology through aspects of applied music theory and production analysis for students to create, produce and manipulate music, recordings and other sound related works to a professional level. These music theory, instrument and style analysis skills are combined within a suitable compositional framework to produce complex recorded and electronic musical works.

CON601 Contextual Studies 2

This paper aims to prepare students for professional practice by presenting research as a uniting strategy for practice, theory and scholarship. Students will learn critical, analytical, and reflective approaches to assess current knowledge, and will be introduced to various research methodologies with a focus on research in the creative arts.

CIB601 Creative Industries Business and Legal

Small business management is essential for anyone intending to, or finding themselves, running their own enterprise within the creative industry sectors such as music, sound engineering and audio production, post production and other related creative industries. Students will learn to manage their own professional business practice, professional development and industry knowledge to develop employment opportunities. They will research and analyse material and contexts for application to a creative industry business.

Plus two of the following electives:

AUD606 Audio Electronics 2

In order to provide technical expertise for industry, an audio engineer needs to have a skillset understanding an application of fundamental and common fault-finding and repair of audio equipment. 240 volt instruction should ensure that students can operate safely with mains electricity in a live sound and production environment understanding ETNZ and Worksafe NZ standard industry practices such as the tagging and testing equipment. This paper also builds on the fundamentals of electronics and passive electronics from the previous level with active circuit construction for applications in sound manipulation, processing and synthesis are the accents of this paper.

AUD607 Sound for Visual Media

Though research analysis of the evolution of historical and current professional roles, technologies, equipment and processes, students will gain creative and technical skills to effectively apply this knowledge to manipulate sound and music, to produce creative outputs for visual media projects.

Elective 1 Related Elective (not already completed) from this or other SIT programme.

Year Three

Core

BAP 700 Applied Acoustics

Specialised audiological ear-testing is addressed, a foundation for future industrial or hospital vocations. Analytical assessments of indoor areas are practiced.

BAP 730 Applied Audio Engineering and Production 3

The diverse range of industry applications within the audio field has a common thread of sound reinforcement technology throughout. The ability to convey knowledge, implement, manage and operate these technologies in the public arena, for various applications, is a vital skill for audio professionals.  An overview of the lighting profession is essential at this stage, as many live sound operators are being asked to supply basic lighting along with their hire-sound services.

BAP 750 Professional Studies

Public speaking skills and a high level of communication skills are required for success in the audio industry. Along with acute hearing skills, students will develop professional practices appropriate to the industry.

BAP 765 Major Research Project 

This paper aims to provide students with the ability to undertake an informed personal research project including appropriate research; collection, assessment and reporting of the project in an appropriate academic manner or prepare a critically informed professionally presented portfolio of a collection of high quality recordings applicable to the audio production and engineering fields of study.

Choose 30 credits

BAP 755 Specialist Audio

Specialist audio is a paper that offers students the opportunity to specialise in two areas of choice, all involving advanced and/or investigative applications within a wider audio field.  Other areas will be added in time, to reflect new developments and refinements within the broad field of audio, and staff research interests.

BAP 707 Advanced Audio for Visual Media

BAP 760 Workplace Practices & Internship

BCM 706 Music Education Studies 2