Quincy University offers a new course for communication majors with hands-on experience that help prepare students aspiring to be in the field of production, television, and radio.

The semester-long course, Principles of Audio Production and Performance, is a communications-specific course that reaches a wide variety of production-like needs. The course serves as an overview of audio production for radio, television, and multimedia projects. It is designed to be an overview of the process and product of audio production technologies. Basic knowledge and application of audio recording technologies used in the professional broadcast and communications industry are the main focus of the course.

Broadcasting majors will learn the ins and outs of the microphones they will live by along with extra experience in the technology behind producing the acquired sound. The class also gives students the opportunity to learn how to produce their own music while learning the crucial major requirements.

COM 384 is conducted to also get students hands-on experience and opportunities to be in real studios.

“It gives us a glimpse into the multi-layered process of producing music. Before taking this class, I never realized just how much goes into producing music. Also, the places we visit (like Y101) give us a unique behind-the-scenes look at the business. All we see is usually the finished product, but this class gives us a look at the actual process of producing music and sounds,” Shane Hulsey, senior, said.

The most recent hands-on experience that the audio production class had the opportunity of taking part in was traveling to the studio of radio station Y101.

“The way most businesses are, they consolidate. They do this to save as many dollars as possible by not having to hire as many people. In this industry or really any being able to do many jobs in the field is important. I’ve gotten lucky cause I’ve learned to do multiple jobs,” Michael Rose said.

More adventures are to come for the new COM course as well as further experiences within the field. Allowing students to take part in this unique learning tactic has opened a whole new world for the way they learn.

“This class is fun because audio production touches so many different fields: radio, tv, live sound, recording studios, and podcasts. It’s amazing how much of our lives are influenced by sound and in so many different ways,” David Damm, instructor, said.

With Quincy offering a new course that can provide students with new in-studio practice and in-field opportunities, students are finding more ways to involve themselves in their aspired future job.