Sound recording, mixing, post-production - Amplified music

First year :

Acquire sound recording techniques in the field of rock, variety and jazz music.

Master the technologies of a professional multi-track studio, so as to be able to carry out recording sessions as a sound engineer.

Reconcile, where possible, the role of sound recordist and musician-arranger in relation to production.

Performing live sound recordings for contemporary music orchestras.

Master the fundamental techniques of mixing.

Course:

Developments in recording techniques.

Application of microphone techniques to variety music.

Organising a recording session.

Preparing a complex musical set, including writing up a technical file.

Practice with studio multitrack consoles: SSL C300 HD, SSL 4000.

Practice with machines,

Special effects methodology.

Practical experience of special effects: Lexicon, Eventide, TC Electronic, etc.

Contemporary music aesthetics

Second year :

Mastering automation systems (SSL C300 HD, SSL 4000 consoles).

Know how to construct a balance according to musical trends.

Master the mixing of a contemporary music project with ease.

Acquire a methodology enabling students to tackle different musical styles.

Lessons :

Applied courses in sound recording techniques:

Students arrange and produce a recording of a track. This serves as a basis for learning about recording techniques.

As many instruments as possible used in modern music are covered.

The course is divided into two stages:

• Tutorials

History of the instrument, description of the instrument making, operating principle, listening and playing practice (performed by a musician).

Comparison of the sensors and microphone systems used.

Explanation of technologies for amplified instruments.

• Practical work

• Instrument recording sessions with a view to producing the piece. Students are asked to write arrangements and conduct the musicians (strings, brass). At the end of the third term, live recording sessions are organised in pairs. The rest of the class work as musicians.
• Advance preparation of the piece to be performed.
• Creation of a technical production file for the pair.
• The session must be recorded on multi-track within a given time.
• Mastery of balance management, corrections and effects processing.
• Practising dynamics processing: compression, noise gate, etc.
• Choice of effects according to sources.
• Working with reverbs, filtering, envelope modification.
• Choosing effects according to musical style.
• Using automation systems.

FSMS 1-2

First year :

Continuous assessment

Second year :

Follow-up and feedback on mixes made throughout the year

As part of the 3rd year :

Certificate

Procedure for the certificate test:

Candidates have 3 hours to mix a variety song in the presence of the jury. Initially, the jury will leave the candidate free to organise his/her work, and then, if he/she deems it necessary, he/she will be allowed to intervene to redirect the work if necessary. The assessment takes particular account of the candidate's approach and methodology. At the end of the test, an interview enables the jury to go into more detail on certain points of the work, to allow the student to express his or her views on the choices made and to assess the candidate's knowledge.