Studying Sound: A Theory and Practice of Sound Design

by KC Collins

Overview

An introduction to the concepts and principles of sound design practice, with more than 175 exercises that teach readers to put theory into practice.

This book offers an introduction to the principles and concepts of sound design practice, from technical aspects of sound effects to the creative use of sound in storytelling. Most books on sound design focus on sound for the moving image. Studying Sound is unique in its exploration of sound on its own as a medium and rhetorical device. It includes more than 175 exercises that enable readers to put theory into practice as they progress through the chapters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262362917
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

KC Collins is Associate Professor in the School of Information Technology at Carleton University. She is the author of ten books on sound, including Game Sound and Playing with Sound (both published by the MIT Press), and is the director of the film Beep: A Documentary History of Game Sound.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Hearing and Listening
Chapter Two: Sound
Chapter Three: Recording Sounds
Chapter Four: Sounds in Space
Chapter Five: Sound Effects
Chapter Six: Mixing
Chapter Seven: Surround and Spatial Sound
Chapter Eight: Sound and Meaning
Chapter Nine: Sound for Story
Chapter Ten: Conclusions and Wrap-Up

Editorial Reviews

In Studying Sound, Karen Collins has condensed years of experience into a readable and highly informative learning resource. Packed full of indispensable tips and tricks, pithy experiments and exercises, and useful real-world anecdotes, Studying Sound is destined to become the budding sound designer’s go-to reference and lifelong survival manual.”
—Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard, Obel Professor of Music, Aalborg University; author of Sonic Virtuality and The Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Reference Handbook
 
“Studying Sound teaches sound design as a rich and complex craft that prepares the reader to work in media and the arts. Collins methodically brings together technology, theory, and practice into a valuable course of study for anyone keen to understand how sound operates.”
—Larry Sider, The School of Sound
 
“Karen Collins has produced an impressive and pedagogically brilliant textbook for all of those studying sound design in the twenty-first century. It places the theory and mechanics of sound where it should be: center stage. This book will be an essential guide to students of sound design for years to come.”
—Michael Bull, Professor of Sound Studies, University of Sussex; author of Sirens
 
“Is it possible to teach sound? Karen Collins presents an indispensable and fundamental introduction to understanding, working with, and analyzing sound on all levels. From now on, to teach the basics of sound means working with this book.”
—Holger Schulze, Professor in Musicology, University of Copenhagen

From the Publisher