Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies

Audio Recording And Sound Transfer Techniques Training

SAQA US 117562 | NQF 5 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to perform audio recording and sound transfer techniques using industry-standard equipment and software. It covers the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of recording systems, as well as the transfer of audio between analogue and digital formats. Upon completion, learners will be able to produce high-quality audio recordings suitable for broadcast, multimedia, and archival purposes.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply principles of acoustics and sound theory to optimise recording environments.
  • Demonstrate correct setup and operation of microphones, mixers, and recording devices.
  • Implement audio transfer techniques between analogue and digital formats with minimal signal degradation.
  • Analyze recorded audio for quality issues and apply corrective measures.
  • Evaluate different recording and transfer workflows to select appropriate methods for specific applications.
  • Design a basic audio recording session plan, including equipment selection and signal flow.

Target Audience

This course is designed for sound engineers, multimedia producers, broadcast technicians, and individuals seeking to enter the audio production industry. It is also suitable for professionals in related fields who need to enhance their audio recording and transfer competencies.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Audio Recording and Sound Transfer

Objectives:
• Understand basic principles of sound and audio.
• Identify different types of microphones and their applications.
• Explain the concept of sound transfer and its importance.
• Describe the role of audio interfaces in recording.
• Recognise common audio file formats and their uses.

Topics:
• Physics of sound: frequency, amplitude, wavelength.
• Microphone types: dynamic, condenser, ribbon.
• Microphone polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8.
• Audio interfaces: connectivity, preamps, converters.
• Digital audio basics: sampling rate, bit depth.
• Common audio file formats: WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC.

Day 2: Recording Techniques and Signal Flow

Objectives:
• Set up a basic recording chain from microphone to computer.
• Apply proper microphone placement for various sources.
• Understand signal flow and gain staging.
• Use direct input (DI) boxes for instruments.
• Monitor audio effectively during recording.

Topics:
• Signal flow: microphone > preamp > interface > DAW.
• Gain staging: setting optimal levels to avoid distortion.
• Microphone placement techniques for vocals and instruments.
• DI boxes: active vs passive, impedance matching.
• Headphone monitoring and cue mixes.
• Recording in mono vs stereo.
• Troubleshooting common signal issues.

Day 3: Sound Transfer and Digital Audio Workstations

Objectives:
• Operate a DAW for recording and editing.
• Transfer audio between analogue and digital domains.
• Apply basic editing: trimming, fading, crossfading.
• Understand timecode and synchronisation.
• Manage audio files and project organisation.

Topics:
• DAW overview: interface, tracks, transport controls.
• Recording into a DAW: arming tracks, input monitoring.
• Analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion.
• Audio editing: cut, copy, paste, fade in/out.
• Crossfading and comping takes.
• Timecode: SMPTE, MTC, word clock.
• File management: naming conventions, folder structure.

Day 4: Advanced Recording and Transfer Techniques

Objectives:
• Implement multi-microphone recording techniques.
• Use outboard gear: compressors, equalizers.
• Apply noise reduction and gating.
• Transfer audio between different media and formats.
• Understand impedance and balanced vs unbalanced connections.

Topics:
• Multi-mic techniques: stereo miking (XY, ORTF), close miking.
• Using outboard compressors and EQs in the signal chain.
• Noise reduction: gates, expanders, spectral editing.
• Transferring audio: cassette to digital, vinyl to digital.
• Balanced vs unbalanced audio: XLR, TRS, TS, RCA.
• Impedance matching and line-level signals.
• Patchbays and routing.

Day 5: Integration, Troubleshooting, and Professional Practice

Objectives:
• Integrate recording and transfer techniques in a project.
• Troubleshoot common audio issues in a studio environment.
• Apply best practices for session management and backup.
• Prepare audio for distribution: mastering basics, file delivery.
• Understand ethical and legal considerations in audio work.

Topics:
• Project integration: setting up a complete recording session.
• Troubleshooting: ground loops, hum, latency, phase issues.
• Session management: track naming, colour coding, backups.
• Mastering basics: limiting, loudness normalisation (LUFS).
• File delivery: formats, metadata, sample rates.
• Ethics and copyright: permissions, royalty-free material.
• Final assessment: practical recording and transfer task.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
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Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
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Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
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Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
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Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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