The Study for a The Study for a Sound Engineering Sound Engineering

and Recording and Recording ClassClass

By Reginald Gordon

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAbstract………………………………………………………………………………………3Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………3

Research ReportResearch Report……………………………………………………………………………..4……………………………………………………………………………..4

1. Identifying costs for funding a Sound Engineering and recording program1. Identifying costs for funding a Sound Engineering and recording program…………........4…………........4

2. Identifying the different types of equipment and programs2. Identifying the different types of equipment and programs……………………………......5……………………………......5

3. Evaluate what equipment and programs best fit the school, according to the criteria3. Evaluate what equipment and programs best fit the school, according to the criteria ……6……6

4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording equipment4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording equipment……………………………………8……………………………………8

Conclusion Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………...9…………………………………………………………………………………...9

RecommendationRecommendation…………………………………………………………………………….10…………………………………………………………………………….10

References References …………………………………………………………………………………...11…………………………………………………………………………………...11

List of Tables and GraphicsList of Tables and GraphicsTable 1: DAW Programs……………………………………………………………………...6Table 1: DAW Programs……………………………………………………………………...6

Graphic 1: Cakewalk SONAR 7………………………………………………………………7Graphic 1: Cakewalk SONAR 7………………………………………………………………7

Graphic 2: Sony Sound Forge 9………………………………………………………………Graphic 2: Sony Sound Forge 9………………………………………………………………77

A couple of months ago while I was in my elective class, I discovered A couple of months ago while I was in my elective class, I discovered the class was uninteresting. Thinking about other subjects that would the class was uninteresting. Thinking about other subjects that would relate to my computer field electives, I immediately came up with the relate to my computer field electives, I immediately came up with the thought of a sound engineering and recording class. Being presented thought of a sound engineering and recording class. Being presented with the opportunity to persuade the school, I immediately started with the opportunity to persuade the school, I immediately started my research. First I research about the cost of adding another class my research. First I research about the cost of adding another class to the curriculum. Although I was unable to find information on that, I to the curriculum. Although I was unable to find information on that, I figured that would be decided by the school. I then researched the figured that would be decided by the school. I then researched the cost of the equipment. The amount came to between $5,000 and cost of the equipment. The amount came to between $5,000 and $6,000. After researching the different types of equipment and $6,000. After researching the different types of equipment and discovering which was better for the school, I decided it would be discovering which was better for the school, I decided it would be best to use Digital Audio Workstations. By using the workstation, it best to use Digital Audio Workstations. By using the workstation, it will give each student the opportunity to have their own workstation will give each student the opportunity to have their own workstation to use. The name of the DAW is Cakewalk SONAR 7 Studio Edition to use. The name of the DAW is Cakewalk SONAR 7 Studio Edition Digital Audio Workstation. The workstation program includes: 64-bit Digital Audio Workstation. The workstation program includes: 64-bit precision floating point mix engine, editing and task management precision floating point mix engine, editing and task management tools, sounds (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, tools, sounds (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, Session Drummer 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the Session Drummer 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the ability to create audio-in MIDI tracks. The total cost of this program is ability to create audio-in MIDI tracks. The total cost of this program is $160.$160.

Keywords: MIDI, Digital Audio Workstation, Sequencer, Dimension LE, Rapture LE

AbstractAbstract

ReportReport

I actually did not find any helpful information on the internet about funding for a class. So I figured that the tuition students pay each quarter, would help maintain the class. The money from the budget could actually help develop the class, and the equipment would help make the class successful or the school can determine the cost of the class.

In this section, I will present the results of my research. I will cover costs of equipment, identifying cost of the program, identifying the types of equipment, and evaluating the best fit for the school.

1. Identifying costs for funding a Sound Engineering and recording program.

Report cont’dReport cont’d

During my research, I discovered there are several different types of recording equipment and recording

programs:

Recording EquipmentMulti-track recorders, sequencers, signal processors, and mixers Usually,

any stable studio will have these items in them.

Recording Software M-Audio, Pro Tools, Cubase 5, Cakewalk SONAR, and Sony Sound Forge.

Studio Monitors

Microphones

Midi

2. Identifying the different types of equipment and programs.

Report cont’dReport cont’d

After researching the different types After researching the different types of equipment and programs, I of equipment and programs, I decided it will be in the best interest decided it will be in the best interest of the school to go with the DAW of the school to go with the DAW

The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) will be using the school’s computer will be using the school’s computer in the computer labs, a microphone, in the computer labs, a microphone, and a DAW Program. and a DAW Program.

Consists of recording and editing Consists of recording and editing abilities, sound processing, and a abilities, sound processing, and a multi-track mixer. multi-track mixer.

Narrowed down to 4 DAW programs: Narrowed down to 4 DAW programs: SONAR 7, Reason 4, Pro Tools, and SONAR 7, Reason 4, Pro Tools, and Acid Pro.Acid Pro.

3. Evaluate what equipment and programs best fit the school, according to the criteria.

Table 1. DAW Table 1. DAW ProgramsPrograms

11 (a) editor (b) multi-track recorder (c) Recording (a) editor (b) multi-track recorder (c) Recording VST automationVST automation22 Is this program compatible with the computers Is this program compatible with the computers at the school?at the school?

Report cont’dReport cont’d Decided to eliminate

the Reason 4 and Pro Tools programs because of compatibility issues with the school computers.

Left me with Cakewalk SONAR 7 and Sony’s Sound Forge 9 digital audio workstations

Graphic 1: Cakewalk SONAR 7

Graphic 2: Sony Sound Forge 9

Report cont’dReport cont’d

4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording 4. Calculating Costs for buying the recording equipment.equipment.

After searching through several websites that sell recording equipment, I have discovered that the total cost of equipment ranged from the area of 5,000 to 6,000. The DAW software will come to about $3,200 (estimate of getting 20 DAW programs) and the microphones will come to $2000 (estimate of getting 20 microphones).

ConclusionConclusionAll four products----Cakewalk SONAR 7, Digidesign Pro Tools, Propellerhead Reason 4, and Sony Sound Forge 9---are high quality digital audio workstations, but Cakewalk SONAR 7 fared best in my assessment of each digital audio workstation’s cost, compatibility, and features not listed in the table.

Although I did not get to experience the Cakewalk SONAR 7 software, I did watch tons of videos on the product. To me, it seems it will be the easiest to use out of all 4 products. It has excellent features and the price is what stood out the most. I also watched a lot of videos for the Sony Sound Forge 9 software. Both the SONAR 7 and the Sound Forge 9 are similar products in what is offered.

RecommendationsRecommendations

In the end, I decided to go with the Cakewalk SONAR 7. The In the end, I decided to go with the Cakewalk SONAR 7. The reason for this is due to the price. Due to the budget the price reason for this is due to the price. Due to the budget the price became the number one factor since the products are basically became the number one factor since the products are basically the same. The price allows the school to buy multiple copies of the same. The price allows the school to buy multiple copies of the program. The product also offers: 64-bit precision floating the program. The product also offers: 64-bit precision floating point mix engine, editing and task management tools, sounds point mix engine, editing and task management tools, sounds (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, Session Drummer (including Dimension LE, Rapture LE, DropZone, Session Drummer 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the ability to create 2, RXP, PSYN II), Built-in step sequencer, and the ability to create audio-in MIDI tracks. From the start, I only noticed one microphone audio-in MIDI tracks. From the start, I only noticed one microphone product that caught my eye. So I recommend the Samsom COIU product that caught my eye. So I recommend the Samsom COIU Condenser USB Microphone. Condenser USB Microphone.

“Blowout.” zZounds. zZounds Music, LLC. 2 March 2009<http://www.zzounds.com/blowouts>

“Building a Recording Studio.” HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 2 March 2009< http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/recording-studio2.htm>

“Clearance Center.” Musicians Friend. Musicians Friend Inc. 2 March 2009http://www.musiciansfriend.com/clearance

DanijeL-one. Music. 2001. 8 March 2009 <http://danijel-one.deviantart.com/art/Music-65916148>

“Digital Audio Workstation.” Wikipedia. 13 Feb. 2009. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 2 March 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Workstation

“Music Production Software.” Musicians Friend. Musicians Friend Inc. 2 March 2009<http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/software/music-production-software>

References/Work References/Work Cited ListCited List

References/Work Cited References/Work Cited List cont’dList cont’d

“Outlet Zone.” American Musical. American Musical Supple, Inc. 2 March 2009 <http://www.americanmusical.com/Clearance.aspx>

“Recording Software.” Best Buy. Best Buy. 2 March 2009 <http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat152100050026&type=category>

“Sonar 7.” Rocketpoll. 2 March 2009 <http://www.rocketpoll.com/HowTo.php>

“Sonar 7 logo" Sonic State. Sonic State Ltd. 8 March 2009

<http://www.sonicftp.com/news/images/cakewalk_sonar7pe_logo.jpg>

“Sound Forge 9.” Sony Creative Software. Sony Creative Software, Inc2 March 2009 < http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/product.asp?pid=431>