Sound Engineering and Production

This module will enable you to design and prototype analogue electronic circuits for use in audio and other signal processing applications. You will cover the fundamental design principles of Analogue Electronics and how these are applied in electronic circuit implementation. 

You will learn about a wide variety of specialist acoustic and audio measurements, in terms of equipment familiarity, correct use, interpretation of data and correct reporting (both oral and written).

This module is designed to give you an understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of multi-track production, develop your production skills to translate multi-source live music and sound into a recorded stereo image, and develop the organisational skills needed to successfully record an artist/group. Typically, you will use our Pro-Tools sound recording studios to record a band.

You will study the methods of connecting audio and video equipment for analogue and digital data transmission and power delivery in the context of PA and sound re-enforcement systems. This module also looks at the fundamental electrical principles and practices necessary for the design and assembly of public address and sound re-enforcement systems for delivery of music and sound to a live audience. On completion you should have the organisational skills necessary to specify systems and plan in advance according to the requirements of the venue and performers.

You will learn how to use typical computer based tools for the generation, control, processing and audio reproduction in music technology. You will be able to  evaluate the importance of the different parameters that influence musical sound. This module also introduces MIDI programming and musical synthesis using both software and hardware

This module introduces the basic fundamentals of sound, signals, and systems, and then explores the signal flow of a complete generic audio system, from capture (microphones) to playback (loudspeakers) and transmission.

You will understand the nature of entrepreneurs and the development of entrepreneurial organisations. You will cover popular business theories such as theory of management, the role of enterprise in the economy, leadership and management of an enterprise and developing and managing quality in the enterprise.

You will work together with course mates on a specific real world audio design task and come up with a real practical solution using.

This module introduces the world of sound for TV and Radio (with a hint of film, too!). You will learn how to record and deliver broadcast audio to a professional standard, and what the technical requirements which underpin broadcast audio are.

You will explore different types of audio installations from home theatre to cinemas and right through to stadiums. Acoustics and system design will feature heavily and this will culminate in designing an installation for a particular acoustic space.

This module will help you develop the production techniques associated with computer based hard disk digital audio recording, understand the principles and techniques of production planning and location recording and on completion you will be able to apply a range of techniques to a digital audio editing and production project.

This module builds on the Studio Production module from year one. You complete a sound design for a piece of visual content. You use our studio complex to record and master your design.

In the Audio Programming Project module, you will master audio software development, blending programming with digital signal processing. You will create unique sound effects and advanced tools, culminating in a significant, original audio project. Incorporating AI techniques, you will explore cutting-edge sound generation and manipulation, readying you for a future in innovative sound engineering. 

Audio forensics and restoration may involve enhancement of audio recordings, verification of the authenticity of a recording and identification of acoustics events, such as type of car engines or human voices. You will explore famous case studies such as JFK and Watergate and learn how to apply modern restoration and analytical audio techniques.

Game and VR audio is becoming an important element in entertainment and media. You will learn about audio game design, workflows, acoustic modelling, augmented reality and the techniques required to employ recorded audio and sounds to your own virtual environment. 

You will create a virtual environment or use one of the presets provided. Methods of lightning, creating object and materials along with enabling objects to be "grabbed" and moved will be explored (virtual environment physics). The impact sounds of such moving objects will be added, delving into parameters and taking in account the dimensions of your enclosed space(s), surrounding materials and object material (e.g. audio propagation, reflections). Various recorded techniques will be examined, and you will explore their use fitting to your objects and environment.

By the end of the semester, you will be able to create a Unity Project of your virtual created enclosed spaces along with "audio objects", both stationary and movable with fitting sounds and audio parameters.

The final year project is your opportunity to carry out, under supervision, an extended study into an agreed topic relating to your degree. You will complete independent investigation to demonstrate initiative and the skills and knowledge acquired elsewhere in the course. The project provides invaluable experience in the planning and delivery of a major study that solves a problem with a unique solution.

In this module, the spatial hearing capabilities of the auditory system are further investigated and spatial audio systems including stereo, binaural, transaural, 5.1, ambisonics and wave field synthesis will be investigated both in terms of theory and practical use. There will be opportunities to audition and experiment with a number of different surround systems during practical sessions in the recording studios, listening room and anechoic chamber.