Theater 363 - Sound Design 1
Fall
2025
01
3.00
Amy Altadonna
M W 10:10AM 12:05PM
UMass Amherst
68951
Bromery Cntr Arts 439-Computer
altadonna@theater.umass.edu
This course will provide instruction of, and guided practice in, the basics of the art and craft of sound design for theater. It will explore the fundamental tools and processes essential to conceptualizing and implementing both the content of a sound design and the sound system for delivery of that content. At the end of the course, students will master the assembly and operation of simple sound systems, and an ability to interpret basic sound-system documentation. This mastery will lay the groundwork for further exploration of conceptual and technical sound design in the Sound Design II and Sound Design Studio courses.
Open to students majoring or minoring in Theater. Open to Theater majors and minors. Other students should seek permission of the instructor.
Students will practice research of appropriate sound content (music and effects) to accompany "inspiration pieces" such as images and poems. They will be able to use audio editing software (Logic Pro) to create and manipulate sound, and audio playback software (Qlab) to present their artistic design.
Class costs:
Students are asked to purchase one of the following pairs of headphones:
Sony MDR7506 ($75-99 depending on seller)
AudioTechnica ATH-M50x or -M40x ($150 and $100 respectively)
Sennheiser HD280 ($99)