Sound engineering higher education. Music sound engineering

The most common entrance exams are:

Russian language
Maths ( a basic level of)
Literature - a profile subject, at the choice of the university
Creative exam - at the choice of the university

A sound engineer is one of the most demanded specialties in the field of cinema, television, and show business. The profession of a sound engineer is associated with the creation of musical accompaniment for radio, cinema, television, on the stage of a concert hall and theater, in animated films and computer games. In the arsenal of a professional specialist, birdsong, animal cries, human speech, sea surf, the sound of rain and thunder, natural, musical sounds. Choosing sounds, creating a musical arrangement, the sound engineer gives the work of art new meaning, deepening what was put into it by the author, making the work more expressive and voluminous, enhancing its emotional sound, supplementing visual information with sound information.

Admission conditions

The future specialist needs to have not only a special ear for music, a sense of beauty, but also technical knowledge. Upon admission to study, the applicant must prepare for the following entrance exams:

Russian language;
literature (profile);
maths;
a creative exam, which can be listening, analysis of phonograms, an exam in harmony and music theory, a colloquium.

Future profession

Despite the fact that the professional activity of a sound engineer, as a rule, remains behind the scenes, it is impossible to overestimate the social significance of the profession. Any program, talk show, film or production that we see is created with the direct participation of specialists in this area. It would seem that there is nothing complicated in the sound design of an interview, but what if it is recorded in street noise, at an airport, at a stadium? In such a situation without professional activity sound engineer, there is a high risk that instead of the voice of the presenter, only the noise of the crowd or working mechanisms will be heard. The work of a sound engineer is also indispensable in the process of processing the voice of the presenter, participants in the program, and the singer. Thanks to modern technical means of voice processing, the future specialist opens up boundless horizons for giving the sound that will be remembered by listeners or spectators, and will be able to evoke a response from the audience.

The profession requires special talents, fantasies, knowledge from the future specialist computer programs, technologies, techniques in sound engineering. The specialty is at the intersection of engineering, creativity and technology, which has great prospects for development in the future and allows the most talented graduates to create new masterpieces of world civilization and culture.

Where to apply

Future sound engineers are responsible for creating sound images, a sound concept, and forming the sound dramaturgy of a work. Its tasks include recording, processing, arranging and reproducing sound components using special technical means. Universities that train specialists this direction, must have, in addition to highly qualified teaching staff, an appropriate material and technical base, including the most modern facilities audio processing. To date, the following domestic educational institutions are engaged in the training of sound engineers:

Humanitarian Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting. M. A. Litovchina;
Moscow Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting "Ostankino";
Russian Academy of Music. Gnesins;
State Specialized Institute of Arts;
All-Russian state institute cinematography them. S. A. Gerasimova.

Terms of study

The standard period of study is 5 years.

Subjects studied

The profession of a musical sound engineer arose almost simultaneously with the advent of cinema and technical means that made it possible to record and reproduce sounds, respectively, the special theoretical disciplines of the course are associated with the study technical parameters, characteristics. During the course, students learn the following theoretical aspects professional activity:

Acquired Skills

A sound engineer is one of the professions that require a specialist not only high level skill, but also depends directly on the development of technology: the more advanced equipment a professional uses, the more opportunities he has to create conceptually new sound designs, to give a completely new sound to a work.

Working on the transformation of the visual range into musical images requires the formation of professional skills, including the following:

Professional use of sound equipment: mixing consoles, loudspeakers, microphones, various stereophonic systems, sound processing devices.
Setting up the hardware for the implementation of studio recording, sound amplification, broadcasting.
Implementation of the planning of the sound recording of a performance, video, clip, placement of the mise-en-scene, creation and implementation of the conceptual musical design of the latter.
Performing music mixing.
Restoration of archival records and phonograms.
Providing musical accompaniment theatrical productions, entertainment programs, concerts, shows, sports events, parades, discos.
Managing the work of technical staff.
Creation of pop phonograms, ensemble recordings.

Employment prospects by profession

To date, graduates of the direction are in demand in all areas that somehow resort to musical design (television, music studios, radio, show programs, concert activities, etc.). After completing the training, specialists in the direction can work as:

The salary of a young specialist starts from 18,000 rubles, more experienced sound engineers earn up to 36,000 rubles. per month. Those few who have managed to achieve a high level of skill and become in demand in the field of recording, establish cooperation with prominent representatives of show business or get a job in one of the leading recording studios, can count on higher pay for their work.

Prospects for professional development of graduates

The level of professionalism of a sound engineer directly depends on the development of science and technology, the emergence of new technical means of voice processing, the creation of new musical images and the ability to work with them. Because the modern science does not stand still and operating skills technical equipment obtained during training is not enough, to improve their own professionalism, it seems appropriate to continue their studies in the magistracy.

When entering a master's, postgraduate or doctoral program, you can be sure that, under the guidance of a supervisor, you will continue further self-improvement in theoretical terms, as well as in the process of working on new equipment, using all the new opportunities provided by modern technology. Writing a master's thesis is the best way to form scientific competence, which, in combination with creativity and deep technical knowledge will allow you to implement completely new approaches to the musical design of works. Continuing education automatically entails continued communication with the creative elite of our country, which increases your chances that you will be noticed and in demand. The master's degree is recognized at international level, which is also important advantage for the future specialist.

Instruction

Before choosing a faculty, understand for yourself the difference in the professions of a sound engineer, sound engineer and sound engineer. The first deals with sound recording, the second - with its concept, the third - with the technical side of the issue. Higher education institutions offer departments and faculties of sound engineering, which include training in the skills of a sound engineer and sound engineer.

In the future, you can work as a sound engineer in various fields: cinema, radio, theater, concert sound engineering, studio work with classical, jazz, rock music. It is worthwhile to figure out for yourself in advance what is closer to you, as certain areas in sound recording are offered: " Music sound engineering"," Sound engineering of cinema and television", "Sound engineering of theatrical performances and holidays".

If your plans include the specialty "Musical sound engineering", then you can master the profession in the following universities in Moscow: Russian Academy music to them. Gnesins (RAM named after Gnessins), State Specialized Institute of Arts (GSII), Institute of Contemporary Art. In St. Petersburg issues diplomas in this specialty St. Petersburg State University Trade unions (SPbGUP). The first is considered the most prestigious.

In the specialty "Sound Engineering of Cinema and Television" you will receive a diploma from the Humanitarian Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting named after. M.A. Litovchina, All-Russian State University. S.A. Gerasimov (VGIK). In St. Petersburg, the diploma is issued by the St. Petersburg State University of Cinema and Television (SPbGUKiT).

If your choice is "Sound engineering of theatrical performances and holidays", then enter either the Moscow State University of Culture and Art, or the St. Petersburg University of Trade Unions.
St. Petersburg State University of Cinema and Television is the only university that offers a purely engineering profession of working with sound at the Department of Acoustics and Sound Engineering. This is a technical position. Entrance tests pass with an emphasis on knowledge of physics and mathematics.

note

In all Russian universities specialties of working with sound are young faculties, foreign educational institutions can prepare you better.

Useful advice

If you have good musical training, or have graduated from a music school, then there is a chance to get free seat in Petersburg University Trade unions.

Sources:

St. Petersburg University of Film and Television
Russian Academy of Music. Gnesins
VGIK
Musical sound engineering skills

The task of rebuilding sound arises in concert practice sound director and sound operator. And, if, for example, at a hospital (that is, on your own stage) sound rebuilt once, and then only corrected, then on tour each time you have to rebuild. Everything, of course, depends on the hall, but for such cases there is a fairly stable algorithm - for “one-two-three-four”.

Instruction

Checking the availability of equipment available in sound ocehe of this hall - "one". Right on the list, check the availability of the required equipment: mixer, microphones, switching, preamplifiers, output amplifiers, acoustic systems (portal, satellites, subwoofer), equalizer, effects processor, compressor / limiter, MD-CD player (or computer with output).

Together with local sound As an operator, decide whether you are working from a “local” console (mixer), or from your own, or from your own through a local one, depending on the switching installed on the stage - this is “two”. As a rule, on-site output amplifiers and acoustic systems few take with them; If you are one of those few, then general rule is as follows: acoustics and microphones - only our own (if not enough - we supplement with local ones). In this case, you work from your console. Likewise, from his own - but giving out sound through a local one – you work in case of specific conditions (for example, we have digital console with a set of complex presets). In all other cases, it is better to work through the local console, adding to the set of available processors if necessary.

Arrange microphones and instruments on the stage, connect the cords, connect - these are "three". Check if everything works.

Actually, or "sound check", occurs immediately before the performance - "four". Your task is maximum intelligibility sound and at optimum density. Establish the overall acoustic picture first: set the levels sound a, panorama, reverb. The soloist, if he is alone, put in the center of the panorama, if there are several, spread to the right and left. The accompaniment stereobase (if any) is generally set to no more than 70 degrees, if there are no soloists, then up to 90-100. Check the overall reverb at the loudest sound e - there should be an accurate echo that does not destroy intelligibility. Set aside the dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds), set the compression accordingly. After that, you are left with subtle, "" settings. Use the equalizer to highlight the brightest tones of the soloist's voice and instruments. You can carefully add reverbs to individual channels, double-check the overall picture at the loudest and quietest sound. Check the audibility in the monitors: the soloist separately, the accompaniment separately, all together. Set the exact volume levels and desired effects. Ask the musicians if everything sounds good. If so, announce "done" and turn on Mute on all working channels. From this moment on, the equipment does not turn off from the network until the end. When the artists get up on stage and take their instruments, at the right time, the mute is removed and begins.

Cinema is a full-fledged representative of modern art, and, unlike its other genres, the most understandable to the mass audience. Despite this, cinema may well be called the youngest genre in art: it is barely a hundred years old.

Instruction

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were cases when people saw on the screen of the first cinema a steam locomotive that was driving straight at them, they jumped up from their seats and ran away in horror. The modern viewer is so accustomed to cinema that he perceives 3D technologies, in which it practically unfolds around him, as a matter of course.

Some critics publicly declare that cinema has ceased to be art, as it has lost its semantic meaning and has become mass. But is it? Cinema allows you to immerse the viewer in a completely unusual world, fantastic and unreal, keenly feel any situation like no other. After good people feel confusion, and especially impressionable people go all day under the impression. Some people can't forget certain scenes from movies for years. Art is something that affects a person, sets his inner world in motion. Cinema does this in the best possible way, even if sometimes sacrificing direct semantic interpretations.

One of the most sought-after professions in the field of television activities is considered to be the profession of a sound engineer. The sound engineer is the most important person in the television world, since only a professional and experienced sound engineer will be able to convey to the viewer the entire spectrum of the variety of sound accompaniment of a particular news, plot, event or television program. In other words, what exactly the viewer will hear from his screen directly depends on the professionalism and creative approach to his work of the sound engineer working on the plot or program.

A sound engineer must understand, in addition to the intricacies of his profession, in large numbers sound equipment, computer and digital equipment, because workplace a specialist consists of a huge number of different microphones, a huge mixing console with an incredible number of buttons, toggle switches and monitors. Therefore, the future sound engineer should be trained in a specialized educational institution, where classes are taught by experienced teachers with many years of experience and deep knowledge in the field of television activities, who have the necessary education and experience in this field of activity.

Having completed training at the UHD Film and Television Training Center, the future sound engineer will master all the necessary skills, knowledge and skills in this difficult profession. After graduation, many TV channels will gladly take a young specialist to work, so the prospects for learning this interesting profession obvious.

About the educational process

From the very beginning of their studies, students of the UHD Film and Television Training Center get used to working in a team of like-minded television specifics - many subjects are taught simultaneously for future sound engineers and future TV operators, as well as for editors and editors of programs. Therefore, the skill of teamwork is acquired almost immediately and will be very useful in the future in the profession of a television broadcaster. Experience shows that students who have completed their studies at the UHD Film and Television Training Center, getting into television channels in the future and plunging into daily work, experience practically no difficulties, since all working skills have been obtained and worked out, the technology for creating a TV show or plot has been studied, mastered the necessary future work television technology.

From the third month of training, classes become not only lectures and theoretical, but, importantly, practical. Our audience educational institution have all the necessary professional sound engineering equipment, the work on which students will study and master. Students perform practical exercises on creating sound accompaniment and further use the acquired skills in the production of trial plots and TV programs. At the same time, the work is carried out with the involvement of all participants in the creation of a television program at the same time - the director writes the script, the cameraman shoots the plot, the sound engineer overlays sound accompaniment, and the television editor prepares the program for airing. Thus, all the skills that will be required in the future in the profession of a sound engineer are visually worked out.

It should be noted that the quality of professional training, both for future sound engineers and students of other specializations, in our training center would not have been possible without the availability of high-quality teaching staff. Training is conducted only by professional teachers who have the necessary education and experience, as in pedagogical activity, as well as in television work.

Subjects studied

During the training, a student who specializes in sound engineering will master the following disciplines - sound technology, sound engineering skills, computer sound processing and recording, the basics of directing, the basics of theory and practice of editing, cinema history, television history, television production technology, theory of work with direct ether and a lot of necessary and interesting items. In accordance with existing curriculum, students must complete two main works during their studies at the Film and TV Training Center, one of which is course work, the other is a thesis. As a rule, as a term paper and thesis students perform the creation of a television program or a small TV movie. Average duration of work, i.e. running time does not exceed ten minutes. In addition, all students work on several educational projects, which are created by students on specialized equipment in equipped classrooms.

Graduate Diploma

Successful defense of the thesis is considered the last, final moment, after which the graduate of the UHD Film and Television Training Center is ready for independent work already in his professional life.

A sound engineer is a specialist responsible for the sound design of a film, television, radio program or show.

sound engineer(from fr. regisseur, from lat. rego- I manage) is a specialist responsible for the sound design of a film, television, radio program or show. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in singing, music (see the choice of profession for interest in school subjects).

Features of the profession

A sound engineer is one of the key professions in cinema, television, and show business. In this profession, the creative side is combined with the technical side.

A sound engineer is sometimes confused with a sound engineer. However the main task sound engineer - sound quality and balance. And the task of the sound engineer is much broader. He is not only responsible for the quality of the sound sequence, but also works on its dramaturgy, on the creation of sound images. The sound sequence (phonogram) must correspond to the script and the director's intention.

Working in cinema, a sound engineer participates in the development of the director's script, develops the concept of sound, manages the process of speech dubbing (actors at the microphone voice their characters, pronounce voice-over text, etc.), selects and records noises that correspond to what is happening on the screen , processes them.

In the arsenal of an experienced sound engineer there are many already recorded noises - from the murmur of a stream to the blows of a crowbar on an icy road. But usually, directly during the dubbing, he records the so-called synchronous noise, imitates the sound of what is happening on the screen. For example, on the screen, the hero runs away from the chase on a pile of gravel. How to reproduce the sound of footsteps on gravel right in the studio? The sound engineer has his own tricks in this respect. For example, you can bring some gravel into the studio and step on it in sync with the person on the screen.

To imitate sounds, materials of different textures are specially stored in the studios: parquet, asphalt, stones, reeds, etc. Objects that emit different sounds are also stored there. For example, doors made of various materials - each of them creaks in its own way. And of course, in a good studio there are definitely devices for creating sound effects: the effect of an empty room, an echo, etc.

In the process of dubbing, the sound engineer controls the synchronism of sound and image, directs the sound editing. When all the elements of the scale are ready, he is engaged in their mixing, i.e. overwrites the original elements of the scale into a single phonogram.

The sound engineer is subordinate to the sound workshop, which, in particular, employs a sound engineer, a microphone operator (controls the microphones during the shooting process), and a sound editor.

The sound engineers themselves admit that having chosen this profession, you inevitably get used to listening to the sounds of the world around you, remembering them. This develops a special flair for the authenticity of the sound, without which it is difficult to achieve high-quality sound.

In the art of cinema, the sound solution of a film is considered as piece of art. And the work of a sound engineer is marked by special awards at film festivals.
For example, the famous film "The Matrix" in 2000 received the British Academy Film Award for Best Sound, and two Oscars at once: in the nominations "Best Sound Engineer" and "Best Sound". On radio and television, the sound engineer develops the sound design of programs, announcements, screensavers. He also works on broadcasts of various events, talk shows, news, etc. in live. On television, this means constant teamwork. The sound engineer follows the instructions of the program director and is in contact with the line editor, sound technicians, cameraman, editor, producer. On television, a sound engineer can also participate in the creation of films, television plays.

The sound engineer in the theater, at concert venues is engaged in the sound design of the action, also using various musical works, noises, etc. Together with the director, he develops the concept of this design and brings it to life. And during the performance, he monitors the quality of the sound and the timeliness of the presentation.

Workplace

A sound engineer can work in films, television, radio, theaters, cultural centers, concert halls, recording studios.

Salary

Salary as of 04/04/2019

Russia 30000—120000 ₽

Moscow 45000—75000 ₽

Important qualities

The profession of a sound engineer involves musicality, artistic perception and imagination, good hearing, good memory to sounds, the ability to master technical devices for recording and processing sound. It is also necessary to have musical and professional erudition and the desire to constantly replenish knowledge in technology and track creative finds their colleagues.

Knowledge and skills

The sound engineer must be proficient in the technology of sound recording and processing, be able to use technical means(digital and analog). In particular, you need to know the technology of filming and subsequent dubbing, the rules for arranging microphones. The sound engineer must understand the physics of sound, as well as the acoustic characteristics of various rooms, objects, instruments - depending on the place of work. For example, to work with a musical orchestra, you need to know well the characteristics of the sound of different instruments (height, directivity, sound intensity) in order to correctly place the microphones on the stage.

Read Alexander Kuzmin (sound engineer of "The Battle of Psychics", "6 Kadrov")

A sound engineer is a specialist responsible for the sound design of a film, television, radio program or show.

Features of the profession

A sound engineer is one of the key professions in cinema, television, and show business. In this profession, the creative side is combined with the technical side.

A sound engineer is sometimes confused with a sound engineer. However, the main task of the sound engineer is the sound quality and its balance. And the task of the sound engineer is much broader. He is not only responsible for the quality of the sound sequence, but also works on its dramaturgy, on the creation of sound images. The sound sequence (phonogram) must correspond to the script and the director's intention.

In the art of cinema, the sound solution of a film is regarded as a work of art. And the work of a sound engineer is marked by special awards at film festivals.
For example, the famous film "The Matrix" in 2000 received the British Academy Film Award for Best Sound, and two Oscars at once: in the nominations "Best Sound Engineer" and "Best Sound". On radio and television, the sound engineer develops the sound design of programs, announcements, screensavers. He also works on broadcasting various events, talk shows, news, etc. live. On television, this means constant teamwork. The sound engineer follows the instructions of the program director and is in contact with the line editor, sound technicians, cameraman, editor, producer. On television, a sound engineer can also participate in the creation of films, television plays.

The sound engineer in the theater, at concert venues is engaged in the sound design of the action, also using various musical works, noises, etc. He develops the concept of this design together with the director and brings it to life. And during the performance, he monitors the quality of the sound and the timeliness of the presentation.

Workplace

A sound engineer can work in films, television, radio, theaters, cultural centers, concert halls, recording studios.

Salary

Salary as of 04/04/2019

Russia 30000—120000 ₽

Moscow 45000—75000 ₽

Important qualities

The profession of a sound engineer implies musicality, artistic perception and imagination, good hearing, a good memory for sounds, the ability to master technical devices for recording and processing sound. It is also necessary to have musical and professional erudition and the desire to constantly replenish knowledge in technology and track the creative discoveries of their colleagues.

Knowledge and skills

The sound engineer must be proficient in the technology of sound recording and processing, be able to use technical means (digital and analog). In particular, you need to know the technology of filming and subsequent dubbing, the rules for arranging microphones. The sound engineer must understand the physics of sound, as well as the acoustic characteristics of various rooms, objects, instruments - depending on the place of work. For example, to work with a musical orchestra, you need to know well the characteristics of the sound of different instruments (height, directivity, sound intensity) in order to correctly place the microphones on the stage.

Read Alexander Kuzmin (sound engineer of "The Battle of Psychics", "6 Kadrov")