Second Year Projects

Audio System - Broadcast Sound - Audio Industries - Digital Signal Processing

Acoustics Applications - Recording Delivery and Production

Digital Signal Processing

The DSP module provided the further development of skills using MATLAB for audio manipulation. A range of audio effects were developed throughout the module, such as: distortion, dithering, quantisation, convolution reverb, dynamic effects, spectral analysis, DFT / STFT, spectograms, FIR/IIR filters.

The main piece of coursework for this module involved creating a MATLAB algorithm that would follow these steps.

1 - Create a chirp signal based on user inputted frequencies.

2 - Apply a range of distortion effects, selected by user.

3 - Combine multiple versions of the one distorted chirp signal to introduce aliasing and artefacts.

4 - Apply automatic filtering to best reduce aliasing and restore the original signal.

5 - Plot the chirp signals at different stages with an STFT spectogram.

 

Grade Achieved - 86%

Audio Systems

In this module we are creating an embedded system using an Arduino Uno to create a synthesizer / tone generator.
This builds on the electronics and software modules from the previous year as C++ is required to code the system, with a heavy focus on realtime programming and efficiency due to the low specs of the Arduino Uno.

Different aspects of electronics are needed to create the hardware of the system, potentiometers, buttons, DAC systems, anti-aliasing filters, op-amps, pull downs etc.

Grade Achieved - 79%

Broadcast Sound

This module involves learning all about the different areas of broadcast audio and its uses, working with actors and radio crews to develop skills.

This module is heavily project based, requiring 4 seperate projects to be completed: Replacing all audio from a film scene; Mixing a documentary; mastering a song; producing a radio broadcast.

The main bulk of this work comes from the film scene, which involves all areas such as foley, ADR, sound design, scoring and more. The scene that I chose to do for this is a cooking scene from the Ghibli movie "My Neighbor Totoro".

This can be found here:

https://vimeo.com/900286740?share=copy

Grade Achieved - 72%

Recording Production & Delivery

Similarly to my 1st year sound recording module, this module built on that, teaching more advanced recording & mixing techniques requiring a range of mixed tracks.

5 tracks were recorded

1 - Violin Solo

2-3 - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals

4-5 - Big Band Jazz

https://on.soundcloud.com/4ih2D7P8bjqB2QRRA

Grade Achieved - 61%

 

 

Acoustic Applications

This module covers a deeper insight into acoustic modelling. The first coursework included developing a road noise calculator in MATLAB looking at standards and generalised equations. Noise measurements where then taken and compared results against the calculator to determine accuracy.

Additionally, a report was done on the design and simulated acoustic response of a recording studio. This involved creating a building using SketchUp 3D, then creating an RT60 calculator using set standards and absorption values in MATLAB to calculate the reverb of each room at different frequencies. A MATLAB algorithm was then developed to apply convolution reverb to a dry signal based on each modelled room to simulate how it would sound.

Grade Achieved - 65%

Audio Industries

This module includes learning all about different areas of the audio industry and how it works, from areas such as game design to copyright to consultancy. Covering a range of topics, this modules coursework included a group project where we had to come up with a business plan for an audio related product that we would then pitch to a panel of judges. My group came up with a festival. Some of the difficulties with the project chosen were things like sustainability, initial budgetary costs and marketing.
Another required piece of coursework was a focused report onto one specific role within the industry. My chosen role was that of a video game audio engineer, as that is my biggest interest and personal hobby.

Grade Achieved - 74%

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