This is an overview over some of the topics covered on the Audio Engineering Diploma Programme.
The human ear, psychoacoustics, the anatomy of the ear, principles of sound propagation, understanding the Decibel (dB) and other reference levels, behaviour of sound in enclosed spaces, studio design and construction, reverberation and modal characteristics.
This component discusses various transducer principles, microphone and loudspeaker design, amplification and amplification design, speaker placements, choosing the right microphone, working with multiple microphones, using microphones in the studio and in live recording situations, different types of studio monitors and various stereo microphone techniques.
Students are introduced to console designs and types ranging from home recording consoles to the highly complex large format studio consoles, analogue and digital consoles, control surface consoles, in-line consoles, signal flow, features and specifications. This part of the programme is supported by our extensive practical studio facilities
This component forms the link between technical and creative elements of professional music production. Topics covered include planning and pre-production, studio team work, working with musicians, post production and mastering, understanding music styles, the role of a producer/engineer and various mixing rules.
Topics include the description of all types of effects processors, dynamics processing, time based processing, equalisers and filters, explanantion of plug-in type signal processing, when to use effects and an understanding parameters of effects.
Digital audio: In this module students are introduced to digital audio theory including binary and hexadecimal numbering systems, A/D conversion, digital processing and digital audio formats, understanding formats, digital storage media and future digital developments.
Whether engineering for a club, concert hall or stadium concert, one must first understand the components of the PA system, the monitoring systems and signal flow. Live consoles, crossovers, power amplifiers and loudspeaker, live recording, working in a team, cabling for a ‘live’ show, power requirements, fault finding and working with broadcasters are covered.
After an initial introduction to the MIDI protocol and appropriate hardware, students undertake a progressive range of exercises using industry-standard programming software, synthesisers and samplers, working on various MIDI based projects, synchronising MIDI / time code and how to work with MIDI and live musicians in the studio.
These lectures are designed to give students a basic understanding of electronic principles with one objective being the understanding of common audio engineering terminology. Electronic principles such as resistance, capacitance and induction, Ohm’s law, solid state theory and understanding a schematic diagram are discussed.
This section covers standard tape machine, sequencer and other hardware synchronisation using SMPTE and MIDI timecode and other proprietary systems including those which facilitate mixing console automation and hard disk recorders, working with digital control surfaces and computer based automations.
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