AUDIO ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS 2 - 2023/4

Module code: TON2023

Module Overview

This module is intended to advance your knowledge and understanding of the theory and implementation of professional audio systems, and to advance your skills in electronic audio circuit specification, design, and testing.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

MASON Russell (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 5

Independent Learning Hours: 82

Lecture Hours: 48

Laboratory Hours: 15

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

  • TON1023 Audio Signal Analysis
  • TON1028 Audio Engineering & Recording Techniques 1
  • TON1029 Audio Electronics 1

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • advanced digital audio principles and converter design;

  • digital audio transmission and formats;

  • CD;

  • audio networking;

  • introduction to semiconductors;

  • the bipolar junction transistor;

  • operational amplifiers (op-amps) and op-amp circuits;

  • audio circuit design;

  • circuit diagrams and schematic reading;

  • component-level and system-level fault finding;

  • electronic circuit construction, familiarisation with electronic components; and

  • the use of electronics test and measurement equipment and procedures.


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment Audio Engineering continuous assessment 20
Practical based assessment Audio Engineering workshop 10
Coursework Audio Engineering essay 20
Practical based assessment Electronics laboratory continuous assessment 20
Coursework Electronics laboratory report 30

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop subject knowledge and understanding.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Audio Engineering continuous assessment (addresses learning outcomes 1–3 and 5);

  • Audio Engineering workshop (addresses learning outcome 4);

  • Audio Engineering essay (addresses learning outcome 6); 

  • Electronics laboratory continuous assessment (addresses learning outcomes 7–14); 

  • Electronics design and specification formative assessment (addresses learning outcomes 9–14); and 

  • Electronics laboratory report (addresses learning outcomes 9–12).



Formative assessment

The Electronics design and specification is a formal formative assessment component for this module, and formative feedback will be given to you in tutorials as required, throughout the laboratory sessions and workshops, and in the form of regular revision questions and worked examples in lectures.

Module aims

  • To advance your knowledge and understanding of the theory and implementation of professional audio systems.
  • To develop your knowledge and understanding of audio networking systems and devices.
  • To allow you to apply your knowledge of the fundamentals of electronic devices and amplifiers to circuit design for audio.
  • To develop your practical skills in electronic circuit design, test and measurement.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Describe how the principles of PCM digital audio are applied via a range of analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters suitable for audio use CK
002 Explain the principles behind a range of error correction methods including parity, Hamming codes, and cyclic redundancy checks as used in digital audio systems CK
003 Describe the technical features of a wide range of digital audio interfaces, including AES-3, SPDIF, and MADI CK
004 Describe the principles of computer networks and their application in transmitting realtime audio signals CKP
005 Appropriately select digital audio transmission formats for a range of applications CKP
006 Describe the CD system, including frame format, channel coding, EFM, and subcode formats CK
007 Understand how semiconductor devices can be used in the context of audio circuits such as audio effects and amplifiers CK
008 Design and analyse simple transistor amplifiers CKP
009 Specify and design an electronic audio circuit containing transistors and/or op-amps CKP
010 Use an audio test system to measure basic audio system parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and THD+N CKP
011 Predict the behaviour of a circuit through the study of circuit diagrams CKPT
012 Research a technical topic, with guidance T
013 Apply problem-solving skills successfully T
014 Work competently in a laboratory PT

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 your skills and knowledge in audio circuit design, analysis, construction and testing.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Up to 15 two-hour audio engineering lectures including revision

  • Up to ten two-hour electronics lectures including revision

  • One two-hour and one three-hour audio engineering workshop

  • Five three-hour electronics laboratory sessions

  • In-class group and individual exercises

  • Video resources and homework exercises via the course web page

  • 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: TON2023

Other information

N/A

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required 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 2023/4 academic year.