Sound Design and Multimedial Technology

The aim of this study programme is to produce graduates who have the practical skills to work in positions where they need to work creatively with sound. Such positions might typically be connected to the work of public cultural and media institutions such as theatres, art galleries and museums, and may also relate to technological and dramaturgical support in the creation of sound components for audiovisual media for theatres, films, audio or visual documentaries (radio, TV) , installations, animations, video games, etc.

A key aspect of this new study programme with respect to the employability of graduates is their knowledge of and ability to use current digital technologies, the software and hardware of sound processing, and reproduction and postproduction techniques, and also their knowledge of converting, archiving and creating databases of media memory. There is an emphasis on providing students with a historical and theoretical foundation and an orientation in contemporary production and the aesthetics of sound design, while also allowing them to develop real creativity, which is a real competitive advantage on the labour market.

These aims will be accomplished by means of providing systematic training and tuition in several thematic areas:

- Sound creation – technical requirements (mathematics, physics, acoustics, studio technology)

- Sound creation – production requirements (sound design)

- Sound production; sound programming (work in the studio and with studio technology, audio software)

- Theory, the historical and current development of sound creation (sound studies)

A compulsory external work placement component is also a requirement of this vocationally oriented study programme.

Lectures in the combined curriculum take place in contact form several times a semester on Thursdays and Fridays.

The study programme Sound Design and Multimedia Technologies was prepared as part of the key activity ‘Relevance of Study Options for the Labour Market’ of Masaryk University’ 4.0 (Operational programme Research, Development and Education, project registration number CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16_015/0002418).

A state-of-the-art sound studio for practical training of skills related to the processing and design of sound was created as a part of the project Strategic Investments of Masaryk University in Education (SIMU) + (Operational programme: Research, Development and Education, project registration number CZ.02.2.67 /0.0/0.0 /16_016/0002416).

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• apply technical knowledge of sound generation and transmitting (mathematics, physics, theory of signal and system, music acoustics and organology);
• be familiar with audio and multimedia technologies (studio technology, electrophones, audio software);
• apply practical skills in audio and multimedia technologies (work in the studio and sound production, work placement);
• apply theoretical knowledge and practicalskills in creative work with audio and multimedia technologies in the areas of sound design, sound design in multimedia work and sound design for live performance;
• be familiar with theoretical and artistic history and current practice of sound and multimedia arts;
• be familiar with aesthetic and philosophical progression of contemporary concepts of audio and multimedia art;
• formulate a practical project based on the needs of a client and to communicate on the subject in a flexible manner.

Graduates are expected to gain employment in public or private media institutions (e.g. radio, television, film) cultural and art institutions, game development companies, sound recording studios, audio and sound production companies, advertising agencies, as well as assisting with artistic and creative projects. A key area for the employment of graduates is art institutions such as theatres, cinemas and galleries, which require sound professionals who have not only a technical education, but also knowledge of the theoretical and historical context of sound art.

The vocationally oriented study programme is largely based on teaching practical skills. Practical training is equally divided into all four semesters of the Master’s study programme. It takes the form of compulsory subjects with a set credit outcome. The aim of the practice is to gain the following competencies: work in the recording studio (setting up recording technology in studio/recording/postproduction/mastering/administration), sound installation of live music production, autonomous audio production in digital environments such as DAWs, Pure Data, and so on. Practical subjects will be taught and supervised by specialists in the newly established sound studio of the Department of Music Science in the Faculty of Arts and a computer room.

A requisite part of the study is also a six-week long external placement for professional practical training. As the final diploma thesis will be prepared in cooperation with external institutions, the professional practical training will be an integral part of the Seminar for the Master’s Diploma Thesis I which students will be required to take as a prerequisite for, or in conjunction with, the subject. The following organisations take part in the professional practical training: Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Brno House of Arts, Motionhouse, 4AM Forum for Architecture, Vasulka Kitchen, RoSound, Moravian Gallery, DOX Centre of Contemporary Art, Farm in the Cave, Cirque La Putyka, National Theatre Brno, Lenka Vagnerová & Company, Radio and Television of Slovakia, National Film Archive. The student can also agree on the realization of his practical training with the provider individually based on his own choice and with regard to his focus in the given field.

The standard length of the diploma thesis and the formal requirements are in accordance with the requirements of the Study Regulations of the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University. Diploma theses will be prepared in cooperation with external organizations.

We are preparing joint projects with the National Film Archive focused on: sound restoration for digitized films; creating a virtual environment for simulating period sound production and original creative projects of sound creation for silent films or audiovisual works where the soundtrack was lost or destroyed; and audio and multimedia installations.

In cooperation with Vašulka Kitchen we are preparing projects focused on the research, archiving and modern interpretation and presentation of audiovisual multimedia artworks, especially in relation to the extraordinary archive of Woody and Steina Vasulka. Our prospective students will cooperate with the Brno House of Arts in the preparation of audio, audiovisual and multimedia installations for public (Brno Art Open) and gallery spaces. In cooperation with the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, we are preparing projects focused on: remakes and the creation of sound installations and side specific performance; sound installations for musical and sound productions; and the preparation and realization of sound walks, field recordings, silent boxes and others. Thanks to a collaboration with 4AM there is also access to the club scene, VJing and electronic music. Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to work critically with specialised texts or data obtained from their own research and practical training on work placement and be able to formulate their own reasoned opinion on controversial issues and find answers to problematic questions or confirm or disprove a given hypothesis.

Doctoral studies in Musicology at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University.

Doctoral studies in Digital Culture and Creative Industries at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University.

Graduates may choose from any other doctoral study programmes where they meet the requirements for acceptance.