Course detail

Studioengineering

FEKT-BSHEAcad. year: 2012/2013

Sound and its propagation, relations between subjective and objective characteristics of sound, audio signal transfer in electrical system. Mixing console: structure, channel strips, connection to busses, outputs, digital mixing desks, DJ mixers. Measurement and indication of level, spectrum and envelope of audio signals. Audio effects: equalizers, dynamic processors, room simulation, guitar effects, phase vocoder, spectral processing. Digital audio signal processing, A/D and D/A conversion, dithering, digital audio interfaces. Digital audio recording, hard disc recording, non-destructive editing, sound cards. Computer digital audio workstations, plug-in technology. Musical acoustic fundamentals. Audio signal synthesis: additive, subtractive, and modulation methods, wavetable synthesis, mathematical modeling. Electronic music instruments, samplers. MIDI communication interface, devices, bus interconnection. Synchronization, relative and absolute time codes. Control of studio and stage equipment, DMX512 interface.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Overview of structure and operation of mixing console and its peripheral equipment, digital recording and editing of audio signal, and computer digital audio workstations. Knowledge of the basic structure and principle of electronic music instruments, overview of music communication interfaces and methods for controlling and synchronization of audio, light, and stage equipment.

Prerequisites

The basic knowledge on the level of following compulsory subjects from previous semesters of the Teleinformatics study area is required: Signals and systems analysis and Analog technology (basic laws and quantities in electrical circuits, properties of elements of the electrical circuits, basic of nonlinear elements and circuits, characteristics and circuits with operational amplifiers, signals and systems with continuous and discrete time, measurement instruments for electrical quantities).

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.
- Lectures provide the explanation of basic principles, subject methodology, examples of problems and their solutions.
- Laboratory exercises support practical acquiring of themes presented at lectures. Active participation of students is needed.
Participation at lectures is recommended. Participation at other ways of instruction is checked.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Evaluation of study results follows Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT and Dean's Regulation to the Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT. Up to 20 points is given for test from theoretical knowledge in the laboratory exercises. Up to 20 points is given for correct results and elaboration of all laboratory exercises and completive questions. The minimal scale of elaboration of particular laboratory exercises and completive questions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantee of the course and updated for every academic year. Up to 60 points is given for the final written examination.

Course curriculum

1. Sound and its propagation, transformation to electrical signal, propagation of audio signal in electrical system.
2. Mixing desk: input circuits, equalizers, dynamic processing, channel strip, busses, outputs, interfacing external equipment, Mute and Solo function, talkback, level diagram, DJ mixer, digital mixing desk.
3. Measurement and visualization of level, spectrum, and envelope of audio signal, phase measurement, phase scope.
4. Audio effects: dynamic characteristics of audio signal, frequency filters, dynamic processors, delay-line effects, room simulation, modulation effects, wave shapers, pitch shifting, time compression and expansion, phase vocoder, spectral processing, spatial effects.
5. Digital audio signal processing, digital audio interfaces.
6. Digital audio recording, HDR systems.
7. Sound cards, audio signal recording and editing in computer audio workstation.
8. Musical acoustic fundamentals.
9. Audio signal synthesis, linear and non-linear methods, digital synthesis, mathematical modeling.
10. Electronic musical instruments, analog-modeling synthesizer, sampler, polyphonic and multitimbral instruments.
11. Communication interfaces in music electronic, MIDI interface.
12. Synchronization of audio and video equipment, music electronic instruments.
13. Controlling audio and stage equipment.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with operation principle and use of audio equipment, electronic musical instruments, computer digital audio workstations and their installation in sound studio.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

It is mandatory to pass all laboratory exercises in regular or alternative terms to complete the course. Other forms of the checked instructions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantee of the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Watkinson, J.: The Art of Digital Audio, 3rd ed. Focal Press, 2001. ISBN 0-240-51587-0 (EN)

Recommended reading

Benson, B. K.: Audio Engineering Handbook,McGraw-Hill Book Comp. N.Y. USA, 1988 (EN)
Forró, D.: Počítače a hudba,Grada, Praha 1994 (CS)
Zölzer, U.: DAFX - Digital Audio Effects (Second Edition). John Wiley & Sons, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-470-66599-2. Zölzer, U.: DAFX - Digital Audio Effects (Second Edition). John Wiley & Sons, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-470-66599-2. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme ZRZT-J Bachelor's

    branch J-ZRT , 3 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme EECC Bc. Bachelor's

    branch B-TLI , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective specialised

  • Programme EEKR-CZV lifelong learning

    branch EE-FLE , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective specialised

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Sound and its propagation, transformation to electrical signal, propagation of audio signal in electrical system.
Mixing desk: input circuits, equalizers, dynamic processing, channel strip, busses, outputs, interfacing external equipment, Mute and Solo function, talkback, level diagram, DJ mixer, digital mixing desk.
Measurement and visualization of level, spectrum, and envelope of audio signal, phase measurement, phase scope.
Audio effects: dynamic characteristics of audio signal, frequency filters, dynamic processors, delay-line effects, room simulation, modulation effects, wave shapers, pitch shifting, time compression and expansion, phase vocoder, spectral processing, spatial effects.
Digital audio signal processing, digital audio interfaces.
Digital audio recording, HDR systems.
Sound cards, audio signal recording and editing in computer audio workstation.
Musical acoustic fundamentals.
Audio signal synthesis, linear and non-linear methods, digital synthesis, mathematical modeling.
Electronic musical instruments, analog-modeling synthesizer, sampler, polyphonic and multitimbral instruments.
Communication interfaces in music electronic, MIDI interface.
Synchronization of audio and video equipment, music electronic instruments.
Controlling audio and stage equipment.

Laboratory exercise

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Getting familiar with the laboratory and the safety regulations, getting familiar with operating laboratory equipment.
Mixing console
Digital mixing desk
Measurement of Chorus audio effect
Digital audio effects
Hard disc recording
Compensatory practice
Programming MIDI controllers
Using sampler in recording studio
Audio synthesizers
Fundamentals of operation with MIDI communication system
DMX protocol for controlling stage equipment
Test and compensatory practice