Madison Media Institute's Media Systems Technology course introduces students to the principles of sound and the hardware and techniques used to record and reproduce audio. Concepts covered include microphone types, signal flow, microphone preamplifiers, audio amplifiers, noise, distortion, equalization, frequency response, digital and analog recording formats, psychoacoustics, and hardware connectivity.

We teach destructive vs. nondestructive editing, sample rate and bit depth, dither and noise shaping, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, digital-signal processing, hard drives, high-definition formats, surround sound codecs, computer platform specific issues, backup, and digital transmission over networks.

Students will use amplifiers, speakers, compression drivers, mixers, crossover networks, front-of-house and monitor mixing, system equalization, 70-volt audio distribution systems, and monitoring systems. Students will become familiar with the procedures associated with the set-up and transportation of large touring systems and small-club operations.

Students will work with their instructor through the phases of a design-bid-build project for a mock client. Phases include needs analysis, project scoping, assembling a team, design, bidding, construction, systems installation, system commissioning, system testing, and training users. This course meets on six consecutive days at the end of the students’ second semester.

MST students also learn basic concepts of electronic system installation and gain hands-on experience soldering joints, preparing and terminating cables, and building systems racks.  The focus is on practical, hands-on application of concepts, and mastery of core AV installation skills including cabling, basic cable troubleshooting, and system installation.