Audio Engineering & Music Production
Course 18: Acoustics & Monitoring

Acoustics is the study of how sound waves behave in an environment. Since you are nearing the end of the Audio Engineering and Music Production Program, you should be more than ready to handle some more difficult concepts. The science of acoustics could fill several volumes, so we have included those things which are important to your development as a music industry professional.

In course 18, you’ll learn about acoustics, and more importantly, how the environment in which you are listening affects the sounds you are perceiving. After a brief overview of the history of acoustics, you’ll learn how to adjust your surroundings to create a more controlled environment for your recording.

This will include understanding the characteristics of sound, including absorption, attenuation, impedance, amplitude, frequency, and so many others. It seems like a lot to consider, but this knowledge helps you create room acoustics more conducive to recording clearer music.

In most cases, you won’t be able to build a studio from the ground up, so you’ll learn about what changes you can make to an existing room for better acoustics. You’ll also learn how to set up your monitors for optional listening and how better monitors can make up for poor acoustics and vice versa.

Objectives

• History of Acoustics
• Characteristics of Sound
• Room Acoustics
• Studio Design and Monitoring
• Chapter Quiz
• Blog Entry