AUDIO ENGINEERING AND RECORDING TECHNIQUES 1 - 2020/1
Module code: TON1028
Module Overview
This module is intended to introduce you to the theory of professional audio systems engineering, professional recording operations and equipment, the practical operation of a range of recording equipment.
Module provider
Music and Media
Module Leader
MASON Russell (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 27
Independent Learning Hours: 63
Lecture Hours: 60
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None for Tonmeister or FVPT students.
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- The decibel
- Balanced and unbalanced circuits
- Jackfield wiring schemes
- Modulation
- Digital audio principles
- Mixing desks
- Microphone operation
- Stereophonic microphone techniques
- Metering
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework (4 assignments) | 50 |
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your knowledge and understanding of audio engineering and recording techniques principles (Coursework and exam). It also is intended to assist you to improve your research and academic writing skills (2 coursework items), understanding of mixing desk design and signal flow (1 coursework item), and speech recording and editing skills (1 coursework item).
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework – two written assignments (addresses learning outcomes 1-2, 16-17), one systems diagram assignment (addresses learning outcomes 5-6, 18), and one recorded assignment (addresses learning outcomes 9-11, 19).
- 2hr exam – written paper given under exam conditions (addresses learning outcomes 1-4, 6-15).
Formative assessment
There are no formal formative assessment components for this module, but formative feedback will be given to you in tutorials and throughout seminar and practical workshops, and in the form of regular revision questions in lectures.
Feedback
Written feedback will be given on the Coursework assignments. You will receive verbal feedback on your practical work throughout the module, particularly in seminars and practical workshops.
Module aims
- To advance your understanding of the theory of professional audio systems engineering.
- To advance your understanding of professional recording operations and equipment.
- To prepare you for audio recording in Level 5 modules.
- To advance your understanding of the operation of a range of professional recording equipment.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Define and make use of the dB | KCP |
| 002 | Explain the need for and operation of balanced and unbalanced circuits | KC |
| 003 | Explain the need for, use of, and sideband structure of modulation systems | KC |
| 004 | Describe the principles of PCM digital audio, including sampling, PCM spectrum, aliasing, dither, and the Nyquist Criterion | KC |
| 005 | Sketch the signal chain of typical high quality, in-line and stereo mixing desks, explaining the action and use of each operational control | KC |
| 006 | Describe the jackfield wiring schemes used in professional and broadcast installations | KCP |
| 007 | Describe the technical specifications needed for frequency response, noise, and distortion in a professional mixing desk | KC |
| 008 | Describe the technical and operational characteristics of PPMs and VU meters | KC |
| 009 | Describe the principles of operation and operational characteristics of omnidirectional, bi- directional, cardioid, variable directivity pattern, and "gun" microphones | KC |
| 010 | Describe the principles of operation of moving-coil, electrostatic, and ribbon microphones | KC |
| 011 | Recognise a wide range of professional microphones | KCP |
| 012 | Relate hearing mechanisms to stereo recording techniques | KC |
| 013 | Explain the requirements of a professional stereo system | KC |
| 014 | Discuss the requirements of mono compatibility, and quality monitoring | KC |
| 015 | Discuss the relative merits and disadvantages of co-incident pair, Decca tree, spot, and multi microphone techniques for commercial and broadcast recording of "classical" music and speech using both X/Y and M/S techniques | KCP |
| 016 | Independently research a technical topic | KT |
| 017 | Write essays with an appropriate academic style | KT |
| 018 | Draw the systems diagram of a complex technical installation (e.g. a studio control room or sound mixing desk) using BS EN 60617 (or BS 3939) symbols | KPT |
| 019 | Record and edit speech to a professional standard | KPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: develop practical skills and knowledge in fundamental audio engineering and recording techniques, which you will build on in subsequent modules.
The practical and applied skills are taught in small seminar/workshop groups allowing multiple feedback and interaction points.
Logical problem solving and fault-finding are introduced by means of tracing the signal chain of a mixing console.
The strategy also introduces techniques and styles of academic writing, including correct procedures for citation that will be critical to your success in FHEQ levels 5 and 6.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Regular two-hour lectures
- Regular practical workshops to support theory presented in lectures and on equipment knowledge and operation
- Guided reading
- Coursework assignments and feedback
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TON1028
Other information
N/A
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc (Hons)(CORE) | Year-long | Core | Each unit of assessment must be passed at 40% to pass the module |
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus (Hons)(CORE) | Year-long | Core | Each unit of assessment must be passed at 40% to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.