The Recording Arts and Show Production IDL program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of recording arts and show production, including live sound reinforcement and audio-visual production. Students will receive remote education using up-to-date technology for all types of audio production.
A wide spectrum of professional audio is covered throughout several courses covering areas in both studio, location, installation, and live settings. In each course, students will develop their skills under the mentorship of industry professionals, preparing them for an entry-level position in the audio industry.
Students are graded and held accountable for each course they experience during their instruction at F.I.R.S.T Institute. Consistent drills, labs, tests, and quizzes keep students engaged in the information presented by the instructors.
Prerequisite: Basic Mac and internet competencies. High school level English or higher.
Delivery Methodology: Interactive Distance Learning (online)
Average Class Size: 15-20 Students
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates obtain a Diploma.
Thirty-Nine (39) Weeks – 1014 Clock Hours / 91.26 Academic Quarter Credit Hours
811 Hours / 81.11 Academic Quarter Credit Hours – Instruction 203 / 10.15 Academic Quarter Credit Hours – Lab
What is Interactive Distance Learning?
Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) is not your typical online education. Students in our IDL programs get the full classroom experience from the comfort of their homes. This is a fully-engaged diploma program that gives students the opportunity to learn hands-on with industry-standard gear and equipment provided in their Creative P.A.K. Each IDL class includes live lectures with instructors, time to work on projects, video conferencing, student-to-student interaction, individual demos, and more.
Students are required to be prepared for class. This includes having these items at all times: pen, writing paper/notebook, ID badge, and all required materials for their program. The following required items are not included in the tuition. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the items for use in their first day of class.
Computer Requirements:
Internet Requirements:
Digital Audio Workstations, also known as DAW’s, are an integral part of the modern audio industry. DAWs are used in all aspects of the audio industry, from the recording studio to live show production. In this course, students will be introduced to DAWs and will learn about the many exciting possibilities the audio industry has to offer.
Learning the basics of computer technology is the starting ground for classes enrolled in the
program. Students will also learn the principles of sound and the history of recorded sound. From there, students will move into one of the primary tools of the audio industry, the DAW. During their introductory course, students will focus on learning the industry standard workstation, Avid’s Pro Tools.
Through many hands-on exercises, projects, and detailed instruction, students will develop an understanding of digital audio editing, effects processing, mixing, audio production, and critical listening skills. After students have learned the fundamentals of digital audio, they will move into advanced editing techniques for jingle production. When learning with the use of creative projects, classes will learn about elastic audio, time compression, and expansion techniques in Pro Tools. Aligning audio loops and voice overs will be covered to create jingle productions.
RASP 101IDL – Digital Audio Fundamentals
• MacOS & File Management Project
• Pro Tools Editing Project
• Radio Spot Production Project
Music producers must have a good understanding of music theory and artist interaction. In this course students will be introduced to music production and an introductory course in music theory. Many music producers use MIDI to create and modify their productions. Students will learn about MIDI and the various instruments in Pro Tools.
Once students have a good understanding of MIDI, they will quickly move into Music Theory 101 where they will learn about scales, key signatures, and structure, as well as voice leading, aural skills, compositional skills, and notation. Through many hands-on exercises, projects and detailed instruction, students will develop a good understanding of the use of MIDI in Pro Tools and its endless creative possibilities.
During the course projects, students will learn about MIDI and music production, as well as sound design, scoring, remixing, and sampling techniques. By the end of this course, students will have a firm understanding of music theory and music production in Pro Tools.
RASP 102IDL – Music Production
• Multi-Timbral Instrument Project
• Music Theory Project
• Music Production Project
• Sound Design Project
• Remixing Project
Working in the recording studio is an incredibly fun and creative environment for audio engineers and music producers. Having a good understanding of all technical equipment in the recording studio is essential for any audio engineer. In this course, students will be introduced to industry standard equipment and techniques including analog consoles, patch-bays, signal flow, outboard processors, and audio recording.
The recording arts course is centered around students working together as a team. During this course, students will work on several signal flow projects where they will learn the techniques used for installing and connecting studio equipment. Students will also learn about industry standard microphones and fundamental microphone techniques used for recording vocals and various musical instruments.
Students will work together as a team to produce and record an original song, podcast, radio spot, and a songwriting project. Students will also learn the techniques of shopping productions for music artists. By the end of this course, students will have a firm understanding of finding clients, the recording process, studio etiquette, signal flow, teamwork and registering their productions with performing rights organizations.
RASP 103IDL – Recording Arts 101
• Jingle Production Project
• Podcast Production Project
• Class Production Project
• Songwriting Project
Audio engineers must have a good understanding of music production and the technical equipment used during the mixing process. Mix engineers must have effective communication skills and an understanding of the terminology used in the recording studio. In this course, students will be introduced to the techniques of mixing various genres of music. Students will also learn about more advanced editing techniques, vocal tuning, sample replacement, as well as critical listening skills and mix analysis.
During these mixing projects, students will align drums, add samples, tune vocals, and learn industry standard editing shortcuts that will improve their workflow. During the course projects, students will learn about mixing music for specific genres and will develop their ears through various critical listening exercises. Once students have completed these mixing projects, they will learn the process of mastering.
Students will master their final mix project in the DAW, Studio One, as well as learn the techniques of restoring inadequate quality audio. Students will also master all projects that were produced in the previous courses which will be sequenced on their demo reel. By the end of this course, students will have a good understanding of advanced editing and mixing techniques, as well as audio mastering and restoration. Students will complete this course by producing an audio demo reel.
RASP 104IDL – Recoding Arts 201
• Class Production Mix Project
• Audio Mastering Project
• Audio Restoration Project
• Demo Reel Project
Location sound and field recording is an exciting industry for students to learn and experience. In this course, students will be introduced to location sound and the techniques used for capturing high quality audio on set. During the course, students will learn about set etiquette, synchronization, microphone techniques, field recording and camera framing.
Once students have a good understanding of the techniques used to record high quality audio on set, they will learn how to scout a location for a shoot and interviewing techniques. Students will capture high quality audio using boom microphones, as well as lavalier and plant microphone techniques learned in the course. Students will then transfer the audio recorded on set and use the editing techniques learned in previous courses to clean the audio and sync to camera.
Once students have a good understanding of location sound and field recording, they will learn sound scaping. Sound scaping is a technique used to analyze different landscapes and habitats. Students will learn Kaleidoscope, a DAW used to analyze various soundscapes. By the end of this course, students will have a particularly good understanding of working on set for TV and film, as well as capturing audio during field recording and analyzing the soundscape of various habitats.
RASP 105IDL – Music Mixing and Mastering
• Signal Flow Project
• Field Recording Project
• Interviewing Project
• Soundscape Project
• Performing Rights Organization Project
• Demo Reel Project
Audio post-production and sound design teaches students the techniques of adding sound for visual media. In this course, students will be introduced to the exciting and creative audio post industry. During the course, students will learn about the creative process of sound design and Foley. Students will also learn how to operate an industry standard control surface, record dialogue (ADR), create sound effects and compose a score, as well as stereo, surround sound and Atmos mixing. During each class, a specific audio post production technique is learned and then applied to the students class project, which is posting audio to a scene from a film, video game or television spot. By the end of the course, students will have scored, recorded dialogue, Foley, sound effects and re-recorded two post projects.
RASP 107 – Sound for Visual Media 201
• Voice Over Project
• Soundscap Project
• Short Post Project
• Audio Post Project
Live sound is one of the largest and most exciting aspects of the entertainment industry. There are many more career opportunities in live sound and touring than in any other area of the audio industry. It is essential for any audio professional to understand the principles of live sound.
This course prepares our students for this career path. Classes will learn the theories and practices used in sound reinforcement, theater, and touring applications. Learning how sound systems work and are setup, along with live sound console operation, are the introductory topics in this course. As the course progresses, classes setup sound systems, use stage-plots, create artist monitor mixes, and most importantly front of house mixes for a live audience.
Throughout the course, students will learn the invaluable skills of system setup and installation, troubleshooting, safety, maintenance, streaming, and playback systems.
RASP 108IDL – Show Production
• (2) Full Production Tech Rehearsal Project
• (2) Live Event Project
