FAQ
FAQ
Q. What sorts of knowledge and skills are expected of a student interested in taking sound courses?
A. Students interested in taking sound courses should have reasonable basic math skills (algebra I or better), be comfortable with scientific concepts and thinking, and have a natural love for "gear" and operating technical equipment.
Q. What are the fields covered in the Program?
A. Students majoring in Audio Arts & Acoustics can pursue studies in the following five concentrations: Music Recording, Acoustics, Live Sound Reinforcement, Audio for Visual Media, and Sound System Contracting.
Q. Where is the Audio Arts & Acoustics Department located?
A. The AA&A is located at 33 East Congress Parkway, at the southwest corner of Wabash and W. Congress Blvd. Map Here
To "commute" to the AA&A, take the "L" (Elevated/Subway Mass Transit Train System) to either the Library or Adams stations in Chicago Downtown's Loop.
From the Adams station, walk south on Wabash for three blocks, past Jackson and Van Buren, until you reach the corner of Wabash and Congress.
From the Library station, walk east on Van Buren for one and a half blocks, past State, then turn right on Wabash and walk south for one block until you reach the corner of Wabash and Congress. The 33 East Congress building is located at the southwest corner.
Q. What courses are there for non majors who want to take one or two courses in sound to learn some "basics"?
A. There are two freshman-level courses available to any student. Introduction to Audio is a lecture/demonstration course that introduces students to the fundamentals of sound, hearing, and audio systems. Production I Audio is an introduction to the fundamentals of recording, editing and mixing. Non-majors must take Introduction to Audio before Production I Audio.
Q. Can students minor in Audio Arts & Acoustics?
A. At this point we are currently developing a sequence of courses for a minor in AA&A.
Q. I am a student who has some experience in audio. Are the freshman-level courses worth taking.
A. We have a placement test for our freshman-level courses (mentioned above).
Q. I am a student with a lot of experience in audio. I am interested in one of the intermediate-level production courses in sound. Is it possible to enroll in one of those?
A. All of our intermediate-level courses carry Basic Audio Systems as a pre-requisite. Again, the student should contact us to discuss his or her knowledge and abilities. We generally find it necessary for students to take BAS first.
Q. Are there additional fees tied to specific classes?
A. Yes. Most sound courses have lab fees on top of the general tuition charge. They range from $50 to $195.
Q. How does the workload of a lab course compare to typical lecture course?
A. All lab-based classes include a lecture component with exams. With the exception of Production I Audio (all lab assignments are completed in class), they also require an additional three to four hours of lab time each week. It is the student's responsibility to book the additional required time.