MUS-20072 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2024/25

Have you ever thought about the sound wizardry involved in action films, videogames, TV? Well, you will prepare something sonically magical in this module! It will be an exciting way to learn some hard facts and techniques about digital audio and an opportunity to do what most sound designers do: create beautiful sounds never heard before and use them creatively. You will dive into the marvels of advanced software for audio-processing, sound-design, and sequencing using a variety of techniques (e.g. filtering, spectral domain techniques, time domain techniques). The module includes discussion of technical and aesthetic aspects of the uses of audio processing, sound design and sequencing techniques, providing skills for exciting creative project work, such as foley effects, soundtrack for a computer game, commercial ads, sound logos, etc.

To establish practical foundation for students' use of sound synthesis and transformation techniques in modules at Level 6.
To enable students to engage with technical and aesthetic concerns arising when working creatively with digital audio technologies.
To allow students to acquire an understanding of audio processing and virtual studio technology, and appreciate their technical and aesthetic impact in the practice of sonic arts.
To provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the creative potential of the main techniques used in the creation of industry-related works (sound logos, ads, audio tracks for games, TV/Web streaming media, etc) employing digital sound.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of basic empirical methods to work with sound material using software applications in a studio lab: 1,2
Recognise and describe selected techniques of sound synthesis and processing in its various forms, including their application in multimedia: 2
Comprehend and interpret basic core concepts in assembling, mixing and processing sounds: 1,2
Demonstrate technical proficiency for enabling technology for creative work: 1,2
Employ digital time-domain and frequency-domain techniques in order to process digitised sound: 1,2
Demonstrate technical proficiency with technology for audio processing, sound treatment and sound manipulation: 1,2
Engage with complex processes for audio processing and sound treatment using specialised software: 1,2

Study hours

24 hours of contact time, to include:
12 hours lectures and workshops
12 small group hours tutorials
Independent study:
36 hours of preparation for workshops and tutorials
90 hours of preparation for the summative assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment