To introduce signals as carriers of information in acoustic, psychoacoustic, analogue and digital forms, their properties and behaviours (particularly with regard to the media through which they pass).
To explain common representations and measurements of signals in these forms.
To provide an in-depth understanding of the interaction of acoustic signals with enclosed spaces.
To demonstrate how signals can be meaningfully changed via manipulation of environment, medium or abstract representation.
To introduce Fourier analysis of audio.
To provide a basic skill set for the general purpose scientific computing program Matlab and the Digital Audio Workstation program Reaper (along with an introduction to its JS scripting language for audio processing).
Module learning outcomes
Subject content:
Students should understand all forms that a signal can take through the signal path from microphone to loudspeaker.
Students should be able to use common signal description and measurement standards.
Students should understand room acoustics as it applies to sound recording and the stages of a typical room impulse response.
Students should be able to create basic signal processing systems and produce useful representations of sound (in time, frequency or time-frequency as appropriate) and interpret them.
Academic and graduate skills:
Working to a specific product brief
Autonomous task planning, research and implementation
Ability to advance individual knowledge and understanding
Inter-personal communication skills
Initiative
Problem solving
Flexibility and adaptability
Commitment and motivation
Analytic skills
Self-management
Self-motivation
Organisation and planning
Time management and prioritisation
Engagement with the unfamiliar
Independent learning
Reviewing progress
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Module feedback
Formative tasks: short informal feedback via email within two weeks
Signal processing task: Comments and breakdown of marks by end of week 7, term 2.
Indicative reading
Howard, David and Angus, Jamie Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, Focal Press
Watkinson, John Introduction to Digital Audio, Focal Press
Everest, F. Alton Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals, Course Technology