AUDIO ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS 2 - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module builds on the topics of Electronics and Audio Engineering started in the previous year, taking you from a theoretical understanding to practical application.

In audio engineering, you will take the theory of digital audio principles developed in the first year and explore how this is practically applied in digital audio converter design and transmission of digital signals. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of computer network systems for real-time audio transmission, and use this to configure and troubleshoot a small network system.

In electronics, you will further develop your knowledge and understanding through the investigation of semiconductors and amplifiers, and will then put your electronics skills into practice by designing and constructing an electronic audio circuit. 

Module provider

Music & 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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

• TON1023 Audio Signal Analysis
• TON1024 Computer Systems
• 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

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 laboratory report (addresses learning outcomes 9–12).

Formative assessment

The formal formative assessment component for this module, is a Electronics design and specification assessment (addresses learning outcomes 9–14) 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.

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 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

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• develop your knowledge and understanding of fundamental audio engineering, which you will make use of and build on in subsequent modules and throughout a professional career in audio;


• develop your ability to configure and troubleshoot digital audio transmission systems, including audio-specific interface standards and computer-based networking protocols;


• further develop your 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 design and test analogue electronic audio circuits;


• further develop your ability to analyse and test electronic circuits, and develop your practical skills in electronic circuit design, test and measurement, and work competently in an electronic laboratory including a working knowledge of common test equipment; and


• develop your skills in independent research, academic writing, and academic citation, as preparation for academic work in subsequent modules.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• regular lectures in which cover the theoretical background to each of the topics covered – the small cohort allows plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions to help you to develop your understanding;


• regular laboratory sessions and workshops that allow you to put the theoretical understanding into practice and develop skills in fault-finding, design, test and measurement; and


• coursework assignments that encourage you to further investigate the theoretical topics, as well as allow you to further develop your academic research and writing skills.

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

Digital capabilities: the module further develops your theoretical understanding of how audio is converted to and from the digital domain, as well as introduces you to practical circuits that can be used for this. As part of the coursework assignments, you will also develop skills in: independent research of a topic, using online resources including books and academic publications; digital simulation of analogue electronic circuits; and tools for creating reports and diagrams. All of these skills will be essential to your success through the remainder of the programme. 

Employability: the knowledge and skills developed within this module are the fundamentals of a successful career in the audio industry. The audio engineering aspects cover: digital audio principals and transmission formats (widely used in the audio industry); and networked computer systems for real-time audio transfer (increasingly common across all audio and video industries). The electronics aspects cover: fault-finding and troubleshooting of electronic circuits (essential for any role involving electronic devices); and design, test and measurement of electronic circuits (allowing you to work in roles such as design or maintenance of electronic equipment). These will give you a thorough understanding of the theoretical basis of each, as well as introducing professional concepts of their usage.

Sustainability: as part of the theoretical understanding of audio, the topics will also discuss aspects of sustainability in professional audio, such as power efficiency in electronic designs.

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.