WSQ Diploma in Media
(Post-Production)
- Sound Editor/Sound Engineer

Career Prospects

Audio Engineer, Audio Editor, Sound Recordist

Course Modules

1. Sound Mixing

This module guides the participants through the technical specifications for commonly used audio mix formats, principles of sound, types of sound qualities, and techniques to achieve various dynamic ranges and intelligibility in sound mixes. Participants will also learn about the operating characteristics of commonly used mixing and auxiliary equipment and types of sound processing techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

• Check sources to ensure that audio files are in the required technical formats
• Mix elements from various sound sources to achieve a required sound balance
• Apply sonic processes to improve the quality of sound mixes
• Adjust sound levels to ensure a smooth transition of sound elements between scenes

2. Sound Recording Operations

This module teaches the skills required when recording location sound. This includes determining the needed audio equipment based on the location and type of recording; testing and troubleshooting audio equipment; placing and setting up audio equipment in preparation for a recording session; monitoring the audio output during recording, and maintaining documentation of the recordings made.

Learning Outcomes:

• Determine the audio equipment needed based on the requirements of the shoot
• Test and troubleshoot all audio equipment and cables to maintain functionality
• Position microphones to enable the best possible audio recording
• Set up audio equipment for a shoot to facilitate recording
• Monitor the audio levels during the shoot to maintain the appropriate recording levels
• Maintain a sound log of the shoot to provide documentation of all sound recordings

3. Sound Design and Creation

This module covers the determination of the sound design for a production. The skills include determining, in collaboration with relevant personnel, the sound design for a production; determining the audio's technical specifications, and identifying all sound effects required for the production.

Learning Outcomes:

• Determine the sound design appropriate for the production
• Determine the audio's technical specifications appropriate for the distribution media
• Identify the types of sound effects that are required to create the appropriate sonic identity for the film

4. Sound Editing (Level 3)

This module covers recording sound in a recording studio, which includes the planning process of a recording session, identifying and applying relevant technical solutions for a recording, and to produce sound recordings that encapsulate the artistic and technical requirements of a production.

Learning Outcomes:

• Plan the recording session to meet production requirements
• Select appropriate microphones to meet the project's requirements
• Apply appropriate microphone techniques to achieve the required sound
• Record sound to meet the project's requirements
• Manipulate recorded sound using the appropriate audio signal processors to achieve the desired effect
• Use appropriate sound mixing techniques to achieve the desired balance
• Master the sound recording based on the technical parameters of the project
• Transfer and backup mixed sound recordings into the appropriate formats and storage media

5. Sound Editing (Level 4)

This module covers editing sound for a production using a digital audio workstation. The skills include determining the appropriate settings for sound editing, acquiring the necessary media for import, synchronising audio to picture, editing digital audio, exporting the edited audio project, and archiving the project.

Learning Outcomes:

• Prepare the workstation for audio editing by determining appropriate settings for the project
• Acquire the appropriate type of media for import into the digital audio workstation
• Apply the appropriate techniques to synchronise audio to picture for editing
• Select and use the appropriate editing tools to edit digital audio
• Export the edited audio project as per the production’s technical specifications
• Select and use the appropriate backup media to archive the project

6. Video Editing

This module is designed to equip participants with the necessary technical knowledge related to video post-production. Participants will be introduced to the complete post-production workflow, from making video ingest considerations, audio, and video processing, to making technical decisions in video mastering for content delivery. This workshop-styled module is filled with opportunities for hands-on learning with industry-standard editing systems.

Learning Outcomes:

• Work with different video acquisition formats to provide an end product that meets a client or broadcaster’s needs
• Understand the project management process, workflow processes, and timelines
• Ability to deliver an Edit Decision List (EDL) and other post-production elements for various stages of post-production
• Deliver a technical edit based on standards as specified by broadcasters
• Understand and apply video processing skills to manipulate footages or video materials by adjusting video signal information
• Understand waveform and vectorscope and interpret its readings
• Understand and apply audio mastering skills to adjust audio levels that meet local and international broadcast standards
• Understand different delivery formats, as well as local and international standards requirements

7. Media File Formats Conformation (Sound Editor)

This module covers the relevant industry quality standards and the parameters to assess the quality of footages. This module will also cover the types of quality issues encountered during conformation, types of solutions to rectify quality issues, and the technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of post-production processes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Manage editing workflows to ensure alignment to best practices and technical standards
• Provide technical guidance to production teams to perform edits that require the use of new and innovative technologies
• Examine footage to ensure that media files are conformed according to technical standards
• Develop alternative plans and solutions to resolve anticipated technical issues that may occur during production
• Incorporate the use of innovative technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of visual outputs and processes

Mode of Training

In-person and/or Online

For Online Classes: Trainees need to have laptops or desktops that support the editing software. Please refer to these minimum system requirements for the software installation -

• Adobe Premiere Pro: https://helpx.adobe.com/sea/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html
• AVID Pro Tools: http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/Compatibility/All-system-requirements-Pro-Tools

Assessment

• All modules will conclude with a compulsory assessment component.
• Assessments may include role plays, quizzes, assignments, projects, and written examinations.
• Participants need to achieve at least 75% attendance for each module before they are allowed to sit for the assessment.

Certification

Completion of all the required modules will qualify candidates for the WSQ Diploma in Media (Post-Production) under the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Skills Framework for Media.

Participants will also receive a Statement of Attainment issued by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) for each module completed.

Trainers

Loh Lek San, Justin
Justin joined Interfilm Production as an audio engineer in 1996 following his graduation from SAE (School of Audio Engineer) in the same year. Due to his outstanding performance, he was given the opportunity to be trained as a studio cameraman.

In 1998, he started his first drama under the guidance of a Hong Kong Director & has worked on numerous drama serials with Mediacorp since then. Being an official cameraman for EMI & Starhub has created opportunities for him to meet many people who recognize his strength. Justin has worked with Broadcasters like AXN, Discovery, Companies like Cisco Systems, DHL, EMI, Starhub, Singapore Polytechnic & many more.

Being a certified ACTA trainer, he accepted the offer of a part-time lecturer in LASALLE College of the Arts, Puttnam School of Film, to impart his knowledge & skills to the younger generation.

He also owns a state of the art new audio recording eng mixer - Zaxcom Nomad 12. It’s a 12 audio tracks recorder with a time code generator and the revolutionary ZaxNet interface. It’s a new cutting edge technology that even Hollywood finest recordists are slowly making the transition to this system. With wireless receiver amp n shark fins, on the ever-popular Lectrosonics SRa wireless SMQV sets, Justin is fully equipped for a full feature film shoot around the region.

Fritz Lim
Fritz is a freelance lecturer and trainer at Nanyang Polytechnic, Tertiary Courses Singapore, Tinker Tanker, and Singapore Media Academy. Being both right- and left-brained, he teaches sound design and mixing, as well as Python and C# programming, mobile app development, and web development to kids, teens, and adults.

His journey in education began in 2005 when he was employed as a full-time lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic. He developed and taught the sound design and mixing module, as well as the computer-based music production and film music appreciation modules.

He has had a passion for music and sound since childhood when he taught himself to play the piano and guitar with the help of books. In his teens, he spent many days on MIDI and computer-based music production using the Cakewalk music production software when it was still being released on a 3.5-inch floppy disk.

During his National Service stint, he discovered the exciting world of music mixing and “mixing in the box”, where after recording there's still so much that can be done to the sound. And in university, he dabbled in song production with a singer-songwriter friend, was the sound engineer for various productions, sang in his hostel’s choir, and played the keyboard in the hostel jam band.

Noraswan Mohamed
Noraswan has more than 15 years of experience in the creative and media industry. He is highly proficient in current motion graphic design skills and practices and has an excellent portfolio of up-to-date commercial design work.

He was the Co-Founder/Managing Director of Muse Pte Ltd, which offers across-the-board services to major and leading players in the creative industry, including TV stations, advertising agencies, and government agencies. One of Muse's significant projects is a partnership with Media Development Authority (now known as Infocomm Media Development Authority) to produce a 2D animation series 'Geng Anam', broadcasted on Mediacorp's Suria Channel, educating children and youth on the history of Singapore.

During his 13 years as the Operation & Production Manager and Head of Motion Graphic at Muse Pte Ltd, Noraswan was responsible for managing a team of graphic designers, editors, producers, and sound engineers. He was also instrumental in managing the clients' needs, including technical and creative resources, and delivering complete corporate-quality post/productions.

Nikk Eu
Nikk, being a self-motivated audio enthusiast who is passionate about sound and music design has been in the audio and post production industry for almost 22 years. He is presently a full time Sound Designer at Mediacorp Pte Ltd, a renown audio post facility in the region. Nikk is also a ACLP trainer certified by the Institute of Adult Learning (IAL).

First part of his career as an recording engineer and music producer for bands and artistes in Singapore allowed him to attained a few local awards in early 2000. After being a session engineer at various studios in the region and teaching in the Singapore Polytechnic for a few years, Nikk moved to Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam in 2008 as a in-house Music/Sound Designer. Besides working closely with top advertising agencies and production companies, he had also collaborated with independent filmmakers, artistes and music labels mostly from the Asia Pacific region.

Nikk had worked on numerous variety programs and drama series since joining Mediacorp in 2016. Some of which have earned recognition in our local Star Awards and various international award festivals. The most recent works include highly rated TV and meWATCH drama series Lion Mums, Mind Jumper and The Last Madame which was awarded the Best Asian Drama award at the Asian Contents Award 2021. Doubling as a music composer put his passion into practice with TV dramas like Hello From The Other Side and My Star Bride. Trained and experienced in immersive audio formats like Auro 3D, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos allowed him to contribute to top local director Jack Neo’s movies like Killer Not Stupid and The Diam Diam Era.

Shawn Kok Wai Heng
Shawn is a musician, sound designer, academic, and edupreneur globally recognised for his innovative hand‐drum methods that became the archetypical modern Djembe and Cajon styles commonly seen on China’s and Vietnam’s social media (Douyin, Bilibili, Facebook) in the last decade. He was the first Singaporean musician to receive over a million views on YouTube in 2013 for an instructional video and has since been teaching non‐formal music extensively in China

Equally passionate about pedagogy and artistic development, Shawn spent the last decade teaching in higher education. He is on the adjunct faculty with the National Institute of Education (Nanyang Technological University), LASALLE College of the Arts (University of the Arts), Republic Polytechnic, and Singapore Media Academy. He is also an associate Adult Educator with the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) under the Singapore University of Social Sciences. In 2021, Shawn designed Singapore’s first electronic pedagogy module as part of NIE’s Essentials of Learning & Teaching certification course for the Ministry of Education Singapore. He also developed the core sound modules for Singapore Media Academy’s WSQ Diploma in Media (Sound Editor/Sound Engineer) programme.

More recently, Shawn has been involved with LASALLE’s BA Arts Management industry projects as an expert and advisor, shaping earnest ideas into practical and promising installations and engagements within the creative industries. Since being awarded a Fellowship with the Universal Business School Sydney in 2022, Shawn has been writing his first book on learning electronically critiquing the aspirations and limits of knowledge transmission outside conventional teaching models from an autoethnographic view.

List of Trainers

Course Duration and Schedule

There are 2 intakes per year: January and July

Part-Time Programme (12 months)

• Next Intake: 21 January 2025 (Calendar)
• Registration Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Time

• Weekdays: Twice a week from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
• Saturdays: Occasionally from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Venue

• In-Person Classes: 1 Stars Avenue, Mediacorp Campus, Singapore 138507
• Online Classes: Participants will be provided with the log-in links

Fees for WSQ Diploma in Media (Post-Production) - Sound Editor/Sound Engineer & WSQ Diploma in Media (Post-Production) - Sound Editor/Sound Engineer (Synchronous E-Learning)

Course fee to be paid by instalments. Details will be provided in the Student Contract.

Full Course Fee, including 9% GST: S$21,255.00

Course Fee with SkillsFuture Funding:

SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline)¹ for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) Holders

SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy¹ for Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and Above

SkillsFuture Enhanced Training Support for SMEs¹ for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

¹SkillsFuture Funding: Terms and Conditions

²As per SSG Policy, GST payable is calculated based on prevailing GST rate after the baseline funding subsidy of 70%.

³Administrative Fees include Annual Medical Insurance Premium, Annual NLB Membership Fee, ICA Student Pass Application Fee, Lab Fee and SMA Student Access Card.

Fees for (SCTP) WSQ Diploma in Media (Post-Production) - Sound Editor/Sound Engineer & (SCTP) WSQ Diploma in Media (Post-Production) - Sound Editor/Sound Engineer (Synchronous E-Learning)

Course fee to be paid by instalments. Details will be provided in the Student Contract.

Full Course Fee, including 9% GST: S$21,255.00

Course Fee with SkillsFuture Funding:

SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline)¹ for Singapore Citizens

SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy¹ for Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and Above

SkillsFuture Additional Funding Support¹ for Singapore Citizens who meet one of following eligibility criteria:
- Long-term unemployed individuals (unemployed for six months or more); or
- Individuals in need of financial assistance – ComCare, Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) recipients or Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) recipients; or
- Persons with Disabilities

¹SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP): Terms and Conditions

²As per SSG Policy, GST payable is calculated based on prevailing GST rate after the baseline funding subsidy of 70%.

³Administrative Fees include Annual Medical Insurance Premium, Annual NLB Membership Fee, ICA Student Pass Application Fee, Lab Fee and SMA Student Access Card.

Modes of Payment

1. All application payments, course fees, and miscellaneous fees should be made only to Singapore Media Academy Private Limited.
2. A payment receipt can be provided to prospective students on request. Please allow 3 (three) working days after we have verified your payment. Please note that the late payment penalty of S$54.50 will be imposed for payment received after the stipulated due date as stated in the Student Contract.
3. We accept the following methods of payment. Click here for the details: https://diploma.mediaacademy.sg/faq

• Internet Banking / Telegraphic Transfer
• PayNow (UEN)
• Credit Card Payment
• SkillsFuture Credit
• Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Minimum Age: 18
• Male Singaporean applicants must have completed National Service.
• Academic Requirement: Obtain Pass Grade in GCE N-Level subjects including English (or IELTS overall band score 5 and above or equivalent) and 2 other subjects or equivalent
• Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements may still apply and will be considered based on:
  • At least 1 year working experience in any industry; and/or
  • Oral interview or evaluation test by Singapore Media Academy to determine suitability for the course
• Applicants may be called for interview at the discretion of Singapore Media Academy.