Portfolio Proposal

My aim throughout this portfolio is to showcase my skills as a Producer/Sound Engineer. This will be shown to you through my 3 artifacts I have completed during my time at HNC Sound Production course.

The first artefact I had chosen is my recording and mixing track, which showcases my skills in using a different daw (such as Pro Tools) and being able to mix the track to a level where it is release ready.

The Second artefact I had chosen is my audio for multimedia clip of " Hardcore Never Dies". This artefact doesn't directly tie into my job role , however I believe that my sound design techniques help show off my good production skills.

My Last artifact I have chosen is my daw/midi track I have created at home & within class time for the synthesis and sampling unit, which ties in very well to the job role I have chosen.

Within the planning stage , I will explain how all artefacts included in the portfolio are relevant to the job role I have chosen. I will run you through these projects step by step alongside referring to the timeline of my GANNT chat and production plan.

Within my development stage , I will go through a few skills that I have developed throughout the year and how it has helped me expand my knowledge for the chosen role of Producer/ Sound Engineer. On the front page there will be a list of the skills I've already obtained throughout my years previous experience of producing music and working with musicians. This planning stage will also include documents which are relevant to backing up the explanations of my artefacts IE: Set up equipment, Mixing Process …

The evaluation stage is where I will reflect upon my projects and compare the back to my original plan. This then gives me the opportunity to look back on my work and see where I can improve and what I should do differently in the future. This will also allow me to critically view my work giving me time to think about the challenges I faced and how I could work around these next time.

Role Description

Producer/ Sound Engineer

 

Main Responsibilities include:

Recording the Audio (Setting up equipment, capture audio, ensure gain levels are correct for best results ect)

Operating Studio Equipment

Being able to control the mixing desk, using audio infer ace and daw (Ableton Fl studio logic etc), Trouble shoot any problems in the session etc

Mixing

Making sure the levels of the track are not peaking

Applying EQ compression reverb etc

Session Management

Communication with artists before the studio for any special set up requests

Keep notes from the session for future reference or if the client is going to return to continue work

Master audio for final release

Design sound for film/game

Set up Live recording sessions

Manage studio bookings

Creating improvisations on tracks

Skills Needed:

  • Strong Understanding of Your Daw.
  • Understanding of mics for different use and mic placement
  • Being able to mix a wide range f genres from hardcore to pop music
  • Understanding analogue gear such as mixing desks
  • Being able to work with large groups (bands)

The Studio Engineer would also benefit from having a chatty and open-minded personality.

Average Salary

  • Junior/Entry Level engineers working in small studios could expect to make between £20,000 to £25,000
  • For Engineers with more experience and have regular work could be looking at 25-40k Per year.
  • An experienced engineer with a strong name/portfolio in the scene working I larger studios could earn up to more than 50k per year.

 

 Getting Started & Progression Routes

 

  • Apply to be a studio intern or an assistant engineer to get some experience.
  • Apply For college/university courses to get yourself I to the industry and working with the right people.
  • WORK FOR FREE
  • Help Engineers out in voluntary jobs setting up the studio for bands etc to get yourself known at a studio
  • Once Getting a job at the studio build yourself a clientele
  • Start building a portfolio and making yourself a name
  • Reach out, try collab with people

 

Examples Of Studio Engineers

 

Adaro

  • Often recognised as one of the originators who shaped the sound of raw hardstyle.
  • His studio work defines raw style with his signature distorted kicks with aggressive energy compared to artists that have more of a euphoric feel to their tracks.

Phuture Noize

 

  • A duo of 2 DJs that stared in 2009 who came together to play and make music under the same name.
  • Over years they have released multiple albums on there own record label black mirror society and gained over millions of streams.

 

Crypsis

 

  • Started out in 2008 originally under the name “Crucifier” when producing hardcore originally, but changed name in 2009 to start producing raw hardstyle.
  • Crypsis has ad a very long career, long enough to have a catalogue of “Raw style Classics”
  • As A Producer/Studio Engineer his unique raw style sound has influenced many others through having both an aggressive and euphoric element to his tracks

Artefacts For Inclusion

Artefact 1 - Recording Project - GAL X RINGO

I will use my recording and mixing project from my HNC Course for my graded unit. This project will showcase my skills in recording drum kit and vocals. This artefact will show that I am able to work to a time schedule while being able to organise studio sessions and communicate with the performing artists/ Studio engineers. This will also showcase my mixing abilities with understanding of correct signal pathing , microphone polar patterns and different mic techniques for recording instruments or vocals. Furthermore, this artefact helps me improve on my understanding of different mixing techniques such as EQ, Compression , Reverb etc... 

For Safety, Every project that I work on is uploaded to the cloud along with being saved into specific folders on the work computer to maintain a clean workspace and a backup plan encase any corruptions occur. 

Finally , from the skills for business unit , I gained the skills of setting out a plan for the recording and mixing project to make sure I was finishing work on time(referring back to plan).

 

Artefact 2 - Audio For Multimedia Project - Hardcore Never Dies

I will be using my project "Hardcore Never Dies" from the Audio for Multimedia unit as my second artefact. Although this may not tie in directly with the job role, it however shows that I can confidently use Ableton (DAW) to edit and create sounds that link up to the media clip that I have been tasked to complete. This Artefact also helps me show of my Sound Design and creativity skills as a Producer. Furthermore , this project includes midi and kick samples that work in time within certain scenes of the video , further showing how i am able to integrate my production skills into other fields of work.

 

Artefact 3 - Daw/MIDI Track

For My Final artefact I will be using my Daw/Midi Track from the synthesis and sampling unit for this graded unit. This artefact shows my off my production skills on how I create a track from scratch using samples and various synthesisers. This links in well with my chosen job role as a producer/ Sound Engineer I must be able to think on the spot and create something the performing artist may request while booked in for a session. Like my other artefacts , this also shows i am able to work to a time scale and produce high quality work within a short space of time. This further artefact further helps me showcase my creativity and understanding of Ableton. For this track , I used my own synthesis and sampler patches along with EQ and automation, which further showcases the skills I've gained during this unit. This track also helped me understand more about mixing and mastering that was done through the use of effects.