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I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: ET106-N1 or N2 Science of Sound C 3, P 2, CR 4 Basic concepts of sound and human hearing are introduced. Topics include the history and development of basic acoustics and electricity, microphones, loudspeakers, signal processing, monitoring and recording systems, and an introduction to current digital audio. This course is not applicable as an electrical elective for Electrical majors. Pre-requisites: An appropriate math placement test score, MA045 Basic Math Skills, or MA050 Introductory Mathematics. |
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II. MATERIALS: Text: The Science of Sound 3E, Rossing, Moore, & Wheeler, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-8053-8565-7 Web: Supporting materials may be found at the Acoustical Society of America (asa.aip.org) and the Audio Engineering Society (aes.org). |
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III. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of acoustics and audio, the methodology of its measurement, and its scope and relation to other disciplines. The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the fundamental nature of acoustics and human hearing, including an understanding of basic audio testing and audio electronics. The student will use algebraic and graphical techniques to solve basic problems involving acoustics and audio. The student will demonstrate skills in the application of audio test equipment and experimental techniques through the laboratory via individual and/or group exercises and demonstrations, to observe, measure, document, and evaluate acoustical and audio phenomena. The student will effectively gather experimental data via the laboratory exercises, analyze data using mathematical techniques explored in the lecture, and communicate their conclusions via presentations and/or written reports. The student will demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team in the laboratory, to investigate, document, and analyze natural phenomena in the area of acoustics and audio. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the application of basic audio and acoustic principles in everyday life, including the areas of music, speech, and the variance of human hearing across populations. |
Link to Course Assessment Standards
Background
Basic concepts of sound and human hearing are introduced. Topics include the history and development of basic acoustics and electricity, microphones, loudspeakers, signal processing, monitoring and recording systems, and an introduction to current digital audio. Success in this course requires a good working knowledge of algebra. Also, it is helpful if you have taken at least one lab course in high school or college. A basic $10 scientific calculator will be handy. Some lab work will be performed using digital audio software. A portion of the lab exercises require a technical report due no later than one week after the exercise. Late penalty is one letter grade for the first half week, two letter grades for the second half week. Reports are not accepted beyond two weeks and receive a grade of 0. Remember, plagiarism is grounds for failure.
Week-by-week progress and assignments (please note that we will not be covering every topic in the chapters listed)
| 1 |
Introduction to course. History, development, relations to other disciplines. Explanation of scientific method. Theory vs. hypothesis vs. conjecture.We introduce systems of units and basic physical quantities and relations.
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| 2 |
This week we begin our study of acoustics.
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| 3 |
We discuss audio, that is, the human perception of sound waves.
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| 4 |
We look at acoustic spaces and consider topics such as reverberation time.
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| 5 |
An introduction to basic electrical quantities (commonly associated with acoustical and audio measurements).
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| 6 |
This week we look at input transducers such as micrphones. Around here we will have our first test.
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| 7 |
We examine output transducers (e.g., loudspeakers). You may wish to download this free loudspeaker CAD software (Windows only): http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?download=winisd
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| 8 |
We finish our section on transducers.
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| 9 |
This week we begin discussion of signal processing. This is a wide-ranging topic and covers a lot of ground. We begin with the basics such as equalization, dynamic range compression, and limiting. We then pick up artificial ambience, namely reverb and echo.
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| 10 |
We finish signal processing.
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| 11 |
We begin discussion of digital audio, including concepts such as quantization and quality versus storage/streaming bandwidth requirements.
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| 12 |
We continue with digital audio.
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| 13 |
We finish digital audio with MIDI and Internet audio including perceptual coding, MP3, and copyright issues.
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| 14 |
Time for our second test.
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We finish the course with a discussion of the mathematics behind musical scale construction.
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Resources
Notes and Problem Sets
Mics and Loudspeakers Problem Set
Labs
Loudspeaker Impedance Magnitude
Suggested References:
Music, Physics, and Engineering 2E, H. F. Olson, Dover, ISBN 0-486-21769-8
Audio Engineer's Reference Book 2E, M. Talbot-Smith, Ed., Focal
Press, ISBN 0-240-516850
Sound System Engineering 2E, D. & C. Davis, Sams, ISBN 0-672-21857-7