AUDIO ELECTRONICS 1 - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to circuit theory and analogue electronics related to audio, encompassing a blend of theoretical principles and practical applications.
You will develop essential skills for the audio industry through an in-depth analysis of the circuit theory and hands-on experience with electronics laboratory equipment, circuit simulation and design, and circuit prototyping. 
Emphasis is also placed on cultivating writing skills and the production of high-quality academic and technical reports, fostering a proficiency valuable for your career in the audio industry. 
Overall, this module is designed to instill a technical awareness that extends beyond theoretical knowledge, preparing you for the dynamic field of audio electronics.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

CHOUSIDIS Christos (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

TON1023 Audio Signal Analysis

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Kirchhoff’s laws & Ohm’s law;


• DC circuit analysis;


• Thevenin & Norton equivalent circuits;


• Resistance, capacitance & inductance;


• AC steady-state analysis;


• Circuit time and frequency response;


• First-order filter circuits;


• Bode plots;


• Introduction to operational amplifiers;


• Practical electronic circuit construction;


• Use of electronics test and measurement equipment.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

It is not feasible to run an identical resit of the Continuous Assessment component during the Summer vacation. In view of this, if you fail the Continuous Assessment UoA you will be asked to complete an additional experiment during the Summer vacation. 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop subject knowledge and understanding (exam and coursework). Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 
  In-class Test (addresses learning outcomes 1–5);
  


• 
  Lab report  (addresses learning outcomes 1–5, 7, 9–15);
  


• 
  Electronics Design Problems (addresses learning outcomes 1–8);  and
  


• 
  Laboratory Continuous Assessment (addresses learning outcomes 9–14).
  

Formative Assessment:

Formative Assessment and feedback will be given to you in tutorials, throughout the laboratory sessions, during the in-class exercises, in the form of regular examples in lectures and engaging students in solving problems, providing instant feedback.  

Feedback

Verbal feedback will be provided in laboratory experiments. Written feedback will be given on the laboratory report and electronics design problems.

Module aims

• Introduce the fundamentals of electric circuit analysis and analogue electronics.
• Introduce the fundamentals of passive and active audio electronic devices.
• Introduce electronics laboratory equipment, circuit prototyping, and component-level troubleshooting.
• Introduce the fundamentals of circuit simulation and design.
• Introduce tools for technical writing, including typesetting and creating high-quality figures and plots.
• Encourage a technical awareness that will be of general use throughout your career in the audio industry.
• Promote collaborative coding practices, encouraging students to collaborate on projects to simulate industry-like teamwork.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to develop your skills and knowledge in analogue electronics and circuit analysis, in order to give you confidence with electronic circuits commonly found in audio equipment and to provide a foundation for audio circuit design in later modules.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures, including an in-class test


• Laboratory sessions


• Workshops on DC and AC circuit analysis


• Workshops on typesetting and report presentation


• 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: TON1029

Other information

Digital Capabilities:

The module links analogue electronics with digital technology by incorporating digital tools to simulate, analyse, and design electronic circuits. The growing complexity of audio systems that combine analogue and digital design requires a new design approach to control costs, time, and quality. Simulation tools offer a versatile and efficient design approach, the knowledge of which must accompany every future professional and researcher. The module will introduce you to circuit simulation platforms and methodologies, allowing you to obtain skills essential for working in the intersecting analogue and digital technologies and preparing you for the dynamic landscape of modern audio electronics.

Employability:

The knowledge and skills cultivated in this module form the foundation for a successful career in the diverse field of audio electronics. The audio electronics module covers fundamental concepts such as DC and AC circuit analysis, filter design, basic operational amplifier circuits, and a systemic approach to audio electronic systems. A comprehensive understanding of these topics, including their limitations and problem-solving methods, is pivotal for developing high-quality audio equipment and systems such as mixing desks, EQ, effects and dynamic processors, microphones, loudspeakers and the analogue parts of audio interfaces and computing devices. This multifaceted knowledge establishes a solid theoretical foundation and introduces professional concepts critical for success in the vibrant audio electronics industry.

Programmes this module appears in

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 2024/5 academic year.