Sound Design

Sound Design is the process of creating soundtracks for a variety of needs such as film production, television production, video game development, theatre, sound recording and reproduction, live performance, sound art, post-production, radio, new media and musical instrument development. Sound design usually involves specifying or creating auditory elements using audio production techniques and equipment. It also includes editing already composed or recorded audio. There is always a need for sound designers in production, recording and media houses. Sound Design is a course specially designed to train students about the combination of technology and creativity to design and create a sound for professional purposes. Students who are creative and have an inclination toward music can excel and contribute to the field of Sound Design.

Sound Design Eligibility Criteria

Students can check the basic eligibility criteria for Sound Design courses below. The criteria may vary for different institutes.

UG Level:  For admission in undergraduate courses, the students should have passed the 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from a recognised board. Students must have secured the minimum required marks in the qualifying examination.

PG Level: Students should have completed their undergraduate degree from a recognised university. Some colleges may require the students to have studied Physics in class 12. 

Sound Design Skills Required  

To excel in the field of Sound Design, the students are expected to have certain skill sets. Students can check the list of skills required from the table given below.

Creativity	Knowledge of Music	Technical Skills
Strong Communication Skills	Analytical Skills	Team Work
Knowledge of Editing Tools	Problem-solving Attitude	A Keen Eye for Attention to Details
Work Flexibility	Networking	Multi-Tasking

 Sound Design Entrance Exams

Candidates can secure admission in Sound Design courses either on the basis of merit or through an entrance test. These entrance tests are often followed by a personal interview round which students need to clear in order to secure admission in the course of their choice. Some popular entrance exams are mentioned below:

• FTII JET: The FTII JET is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for candidates who want to take admission to postgraduate and post-graduate diploma courses. There are two wings under FTII viz. Film Wing offers courses such as direction & screenplay, writing, editing, acting, cinematography, feature film screenplay writing, sound designing and recording and art direction & production design. The television wing offers courses such as directions, electronic cinematography, sound recording & television engineering and video editing.
• WWI: Whistling Woods International Institute of Film, Communication, and Creative Arts conducts the WWI entrance exam in order to offer admission to aspirants in courses offered by it.
• NIMSEE: NIMS Entrance Exam is conducted by NIMS University, Rajasthan in order to offer candidates admission in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses which are offered at the university. 
• JMI Entrance Exam: The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University conducts the Jamia Millia Islamia entrance test to shortlist candidates for admission in various UG, PG, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and certificate courses such as Engineering, Architecture & Planning, Hospitality & Travel, Animation, Mass Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences, Commerce as well as Teaching & Education.

Also Read:

• Video Editing (Post Production)
• Graphic Design

Sound Design Syllabus

The subjects taught in a Sound Design course may vary from college to college. However, some common topics that aspirants have to study in the Sound Design course are as mentioned below:

Film Sound Designing
Basics of Sound	Acoustics Fundamentals	Monitoring System
Microphone Techniques	Consoles & Virtual Mixer	Signal Processors
Digital Audio Technology	Field Recorders	Sync Sound
DAW's Application	Track Laying	Production Sound Effects
Studio Visit (Foley & Track Laying Studio)	Production of the Film SoundTrack	Techniques of Premixing & Session Backup
Certificate in Sound Designing
Understanding aural perception	Audio related science	Nature of sound; acoustics
Various types of microphones and their uses in recording	Various types of speakers and monitors	Mixers and consoles
Analogue and digital recording	Computer hardware and specialized software for sound	Studio recordings
Outdoor recordings	Music and effect recording	Dialogue recording and dubbing
Radio Jockeying	Exercises in voice and speech	Mixing of tracks
Creative Sound designing & post-production work	Various applications of sound in the new media	Jingles. (Radio advertisements)

Sound Design Job Prospects

After completing the Sound Design course, the students will be considered eligible to work in various job profiles offered by different industries. Some of the common areas where Sound Design specialists are required are – production houses, recording studios and more. Some of the popular job profiles have been listed below.

Sound Editor: The job of a sound editor is to create soundtracks by cutting and synchronizing images, sound elements such as production wild tracks, and dialogue tracks in analogue or digital form.

Sound Engineer: Sound engineers are also known as audio engineers. Their job responsibilities include mixing, reproducing, and manipulating the equalization and electronic effects of sound. 

Sound Recordist: He/she captures all of the sounds on location for a programme including dialogues, singing and action. 

Apart from the above job profile candidates can also work as sound effects designers, sound supervisors, mixing professionals etc after completing a course in sound design.

Sound Design Top Recruiters

Listed below are some of the top recruiters for the students of Sound Design.

• Radio Mirchi
• YRF Studios
• All India Radio
• Sahara Studios
• BBC
• Red FM 93.5
• CNN

Read More:

• Music & Sound Production
• Communication Design

FAQs on Sound Design 

Q. What is the basic eligibility for a Sound Design course?

Q. Can I work as a Sound Engineer after completing a Sound Design course?

Q. Which are the top recruiters for Sound Design?

Q. What is the course fee for a Sound Design course?

Q. What is the salary range for Sound Design graduates?

Q. What are the popular colleges to pursue a Sound Design course?

Q. What jobs are offered in the Sound Design field?

Q. Which program or course can I do to make a career in Sound Design?

Q. Which are some popular entrance exams in this domain?

Q. What are the important skills required to make a career in Sound Design?

Q. What is the scope of the Sound Design course?

Following are the most popular Sound Design Colleges in India. Learn more about these Sound Design colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Sound Design UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Sound Design PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Sound Design. Students interested in pursuing a career on Sound Design, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.