Sound Design Techniques is a 4-part online workshop that explores the fundamentals of sound design as well as techniques for experimentation.

Sound design is the art of collecting, editing, and creating sound effects, ambience, and music for interactive media. Sound design can be paired with film, video, 3D environments, games, or even installations to bring a scene to life or capture a mood. In this workshop, we'll be working with visual prompts and without to experiment with creative sound design.

Throughout four sessions, this workshop will focus on working with field recordings, setting up and using plugins, sculpting a sound with synthesis, and exploring advanced audio processing. This workshop will start with a brief overview of audio software before diving into workflow and the editing and arranging of audio clips.

This workshop uses Ableton Live but participants are welcome to use any digital audio workstation they feel comfortable with. Demonstrations will be provided in Protools and Reaper as well.

Some familiarity with audio software is recommended, but any level of experience is welcome.

Outline

Session 1: Thursday, May 2nd, 6pm-9pm
Introduction to the Ableton Live interface
Editing and processing

Session 2: Thursday, May 9th, 6pm-9pm
Sound design techniques (basic)
Working with field recordings (recording, editing, mastering with metadata)
Working with free plugins

Session 3: Thursday, May 16th, 6pm-9pm
Sound Design techniques (advanced)
Advanced processing, synthesis, Max 4 Live
Working with free and paid plugins
Working with video

Session 4: Thursday, May 23rd, 6pm-9pm
Working with video
Listening to projects
Comparing Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Reaper

Participants will need access to:

• Mac or PC with headphones or speakers
• Ableton or any multi-channel DAW of your choice (Trial available here )
• Zoom account (Register here)

Instructor

Penelope Walcott is an experienced sound designer, editor, and field recordist. Originally from BC, she now resides in Ontario. Penelope began her career in sound as both a classical pianist and composer, having performed in Canada, UK, US and Italy; with pieces performed in Canada, Japan, and the UK. Penelope has been involved in audio post production for about 10 years, and has worked with filmmakers on independent narrative, animation, documentary productions, as well as visual artists for interactive media.

Penelope was chosen as one of 6 recipients for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s Women in Post program and has worked as a mentor and tutor for participants of the Biennale College Cinema VR workshop in Venice. She has been a guest lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University for the courses Perspectives on Sound Design and Perspectives on Sound Design for Immersive and Interactive Media. Penelope has worked on films that have been showcased at the KW (Kitchener-Waterloo) Film Festival, as well as the Hamilton Black Film Festival, the Micromania Film Fest and Manila film festival.

For Penelope, sound design is one of the most effective tools for creative story-telling, and she is always honoured to deepen both her knowledge and creative energy in the audio visual medium. She enjoys exploring immersive sound for both linear and interactive media, and looks forward to discovering new ways of working within this medium.

Workshop Pricing

This workshop is $140 for Members and $190 for Non-Members. To access our member pricing, join our membership at https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/joinus/.

Fees for this workshop can be waived if access to funds is a barrier to participation. For more information please email [email protected].

Accessibility

Our virtual events take place through the video-calling platform Zoom where there is access to a real-time live Closed Captioning (CC) feature, a Q&A section to accommodate additional accessibility requests, ASL interpreters (if needed, will be provided), dial-in from phone numbers as well as an accessibility point person who is available to assist with troubleshooting or access issues. In addition, our online events in Zoom support screen readers, provide high contrast mode, and have screen magnifiers and visual modifications.

DARC is dedicated to accommodating your needs to the best of our abilities. We acknowledge that there are preexisting barriers to accessing our centre. We perform internal accessibility audits of our physical and digital spaces each year to better serve our community. We also welcome inquiry, feedback and resources regarding accessibility and accessibility improvement by phone (613.238.7648 x. 6) or by email at [email protected].

DARC staff are available and willing to assist with all inquiries and requests regarding physical access during operating and event hours.

Cancellation Policy

DARC is unable to provide course attendee refunds for cancellations. DARC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses if necessary.