AUDIO ENGINEERING AND RECORDING TECHNIQUES 1 - 2021/2

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: 12

Independent Learning Hours: 75

Lecture Hours: 62

Practical/Performance Hours: 1

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 Online Online Exam (4 hour window) 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 2021/2 academic year.