ClassInfo

GAM 250 Game Sound Design I

Jonathan Hey

Office: CDM 635
Spring 2012-2013
Class number: 36208
Section number: 901
M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00216 Loop Campus

Summary

This course is a hands-on introduction to computer-based audio design for video games. We will be exploring the basics and move to actual lab work. This is for software developers, producers, musicians and anyone else interested in developing sounds and music for video games. I may make adjustments as we go depending on the class members' knowledge and experiences or simply to move along. Nonetheless, the course has been specifically built upon situations encountered in the real-world.



Texts

There is currently no single textbook. I will be providing handouts with references from many sources.


Grading

Grading will be done on an assignment basis. There will be 6 assignments with a 10% grade weight and a mixing assignment that weighs 15%. Assignment 7 and the Final assignment totals 25% for the final grade. There won't be examinations as such. Several assignments will be two person team assignments.



Prerequisites

There is no prerequisite. I will be "polling" students on their familiarity with software such as Pro-tools, Sound Forge, Audacity, MIDI sequencers, etc. and also about their musical training, if any.


Assignments List with percent grade weight

Assignments List with percent grade weight Please also refer to the week by week schedule for more details.

Assignment 1: Create looping music with an intro and outro.(10%)

Assignment 2: Create simple sound effects (10%)

Assignment 3: Create musical effects for small animations of characters and/or other animated objects (animations provided).(10%)

Assignment 4: Create sound effects using a MIDI sequencer, record output and manipulate results in an audio editor.(10%)

Assignment 5: XML coding of tracks in a sound system (Tools will be made available).(10%)

Assignment 6: Create a simple adaptive audio music track with loop software or MIDI sequencer. Both record layered elements and playlist to combine elements. This won't require musical composition unless you wish to do so.(10%)

Assignment 7: Mixing in Multitrack - tracks provided (15%)

Final: (Part one): Dialogue script authoring for cut scene for Final (Part two): - Record dialogue (part of class day) (Part three)- Edit and Playlist (2 person team - each script writer is "producer" and then serves as other team member's recording engineer) (Part one): Gather sources for "Cut Scene" (30 second Boxing movie from EA) (Part two): Finish cut scene audio assembly mix down and sync (Pro-Tools or Sound Forge) 25%



Software

I have worked with the University to provide some extra software resources. I will go through that the first day of class. Introduced: Sound Forge, Anvil Studio, Kristal Audio Engine


Monday April 1, 2013 - Part 1: Game Audio Introduction Sound Formats and Game Genres Game Development Flowchart/Overview Hierarchical Map of a Typical Game Company Video Game History and Playback Systems Game Sound Development Overview Tools, Goals, Assessing Audio in a Game Clip
Part2: Game Audio Introduction continued Audio/Sound Roles Organizational Concepts (Database) Tools - Audio Editors (Sound Forge especially) - Building a Sound Effects Library - Sources (HD, CD, DVD etc.)

Monday April 8, 2013 Part 1: Game Audio Lab - Tools continued - Getting Sound in to an editor - Manipulating Sounds - Getting music into an editor - Looping music and ambient sound effects - Assignment: Looping music with an intro and "outro". Part 2: Game Audio Lab - Review Assignments - Further techniques - reverbs - compression - other "alterations" and "experiments" Monday April 15, 2013: Game Audio Lab Creating "Musical" effects in an audio editor with tones, blending, cutting, abutting, pitch shifting and bending, reverbs, compression and delays. Assignment: Create musical effects for small animations of characters and/or other animated objects. Monday April 22, 2013 Part 1: continued - Review of assignments Creating sound effects using MIDI sequencer - Using step-time and keyboard inputs to create sound effects. Some basic music theory will be involved. Assignment: Create sound effects using a MIDI sequencer, record output and manipulate results in an audio editor. Part 2: Class 6 continued Review of assignments Communicating - - Characterizations in sound design - Types of Music - Music Sources Monday April 29, 2013 Part 1: Game Audio Introduction to Playlisting Getting audio tracks into game-callable code. - Theory of constraint and priorities. Assignment: XML coding of tracks in a system Tools will be made available. Part 2: Review playlisting assignment Monday May 6, 2013 Part 1: Creating a Simple Musical Track - "Adaptive" Audio overview - MIDI sequencer or loop creator such as ACID. - Layering elements - different techniques. - Coding the layers Part 2: In class Assignment: Create a simple adaptive audio music track with loop software or MIDI sequencer. Both record layered elements and playlist to combine elements. Monday May 13, 2013 Part 1: Overview of Creating Foley Sound Effects Recording Custom SFX - Microphones Overview - Handheld Recorders - Techniques - Recording on Location Part 2: - Mixing techniques in Pro-Tools or other multi-track Monday May 20, 2013 Part 1: -Mixing continued Wed 10/28/2009 Part 2: Overview of Surround Sound Techniques and other open issues presented. Game Dialogue - concerns - talent / contracts - procedures (Pro-Tools) - Assignment: script authoring Monday May 27, 2013 * NO CLASS * Memorial Day Mon June 3, 20139 Part 1: Game Audio Lab In class assignment Record dialogue of scripts Part 2: Game Audio Lab Dialogue - Edit and playlist recordings Part 3: Brief review of dialogue assignment Introduction to "Cut Scenes" Assignment: Gather sources for Cut Scene (30 second Boxing movie from EA) Part 4: - Cut Scene Mixing all the elements for cut scene Assignment: Finish cut scene audio assembly (Pro-Tools or/Sound Forge) Monday June 10, 2013 *Final* We will review each student's Cut Scene. Day and time may be changed as per DePaul's scheduling.

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296