Alton Everest F. & Pohlmann K. C. (2009) The Master handbook of Acoustics, 5th Ed Mcgraw Hill
Ballou G. (2002) Handbook for Sound Engineers. 3rd ed. Woburn: Focal Press
Denyer D. (1992) The Guitar Handbook. Toronto: Pan Books
Howard D. M. & Angus J. (2009) Acoustics and Psychoacoustics 2nd Ed, Focal Press
Newell P. (2011) Recording Studio Design 3rd Ed Focal Press
Ramsey F. & McCormick T. (1996) Sound and Recording, An Introduction. Focal Press
Rossing et al. (2002) The Science of Sound. 3rd Ed. New York: Addison Wesley

Lectures on the principles of sound
Technical skills instruction and workshops
Equipment demonstrations
Group tutorials with formative feedback
Individual tutorials

This module helps you understand the background theory of sound, including the anatomy and function of the ear, psychoacoustic principles and the perception of sound. You will explore the fundamentals of sound propagation, modelling and predicting the acoustic environment of spaces, as well as develop a critical understanding of acoustic defects, noise and what is meant by sound isolation.

Other underpinning factors of working in music technology will be investigated, such as the principles of sound propagation and the understanding of the conversion of acoustic energy into electrical voltage. You will also develop measurement skills and use this knowledge to develop a greater understanding of analogue audio principles and physics.

Your work will include considering and evaluating acoustic environments and the context of practical recording situations, such as absorption and reverberation times, effects of noise, near and far fields, performance space acoustics, enabling you to understand the specification of sound systems for different acoustic spaces.

Assessment 1
A class test on the fundamentals of acoustics, psychoacoustics and room acoustics. (40%)
[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4]

Assessment 2
A report summarising the approach and responses required when setting up and testing live sound audio equipment in an appropriate performance venue, responding to the requirements of the venue, audience and capabilities of the equipment and considering and evaluating alternative approaches that could be used. [2,500 words] (60%) [LOs 2, 3, 4, 5]

Students will have access to studio space and college library and computer resources. University learning resources are available on campus at Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, and online via the partner Need to Know pages of the university website.
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/partnerships/current_students/email/index.jsp