EE417: Acoustics and Audio Engineering

Instructor

Prof. Robert C. Maher

Prerequisite:

PHYS 212  GENERAL AND MODERN PHYSICS II 

Textbooks and Materials

1. Kinsler, Lawrence E., Frey, Austin R., Coppens, Alan B., and Sanders, James V., Fundamentals of Acoustics, 4th ed., Wiley & Sons, 1999.
2. Handouts and reprints (in class)

Class Objective

The students obtain sufficient background and technical knowledge to understand contemporary issues in audio engineering.

Course Outcomes

At the conclusion of EE 417, students will be able to:

• Understand the linear acoustic wave equation and explain the relationship between pressure and particle velocity for plane waves and spherical waves.

• Calculate and interpret the near-field and far-field response of a circular piston radiator mounted in an infinite baffle.

• Explain the basic physiology of the human hearing system and elementary psychoacoustical principles (e.g., sensitivity as a function of frequency, simultaneous masking, and difference limens).

• Use geometrical measurements and material properties to calculate Sabine reverberation time for a room.

• Explain the basic operation of dynamic (moving-coil) loudspeakers and condenser (capacitive) microphones.

• Understand the principles of recording studio signal flow.

• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of modern perceptual audio coders such as MP3.

• Describe the attributes of CD, DVD, and DAT storage media.

Class Outline (subject to change)

Week 1:

Intro, audio and acoustics subdisciplines, survey

Fundamental quantities, Fourier review, mass and vibration

Damping, complex exponential solutions, forced oscillation

Week 2:

Resonance, electrical circuit analogies

Acoustic wave equation

Week 3:

Harmonic plane waves, intensity, impedance

Spherical waves, sound level, dB examples

Radiation from small sources

Week 4:

Baffled simple source, piston radiation

Near field, far field

Radiation impedance

Week 5:

Recap and review

Demos, speed of sound measurement

EXAM #1

Return exam, continue ear/hearing

Week 6:

The ear, hearing, etc.

Demos, hearing and detection

Week 7:

Environmental acoustics and noise criteria

OSHA, architectural isolation

Guest Lecture TBD

Week 8:

Example calculations

Architectural acoustics, reverb

Absorbing materials, direct-reverberant ratio

Week 9:

Relationships among music, audio, acoustics, and electronics

Audio engineering introduction

Audio engineering, units, concepts

Week 10:

Microphones

Studio electronics

Week 11:

Studio electronics

Analog storage history (tape, LP disc history)

Loudspeakers

Week 12:

Loudspeakers

EXAM #2

Week 13:

Digital audio

THANKSGIVING

Week 14:

CD and DVD principles

Audio DSP

Multimedia audio, MP3, etc.

Week 15:

SMPTE and synchronization

MIDI

Final review

Course Grading: 

• All students must have an electronic mail address listed with the MSU My Info system.  Announcements and reminders for EE417 will be sent occasionally via email.

• You are responsible for all material covered in class and in the textbook reading assignments.

• Late submissions of assignments (homework and reports) will not be accepted. Plan ahead and notify the instructor prior to justifiable absences, or if a bona fide emergency prevented you from attending class.

• Homework problems will sometimes require Matlab or an equivalent computer tool.  Matlab is available in the ECE computer labs.

• There will probably be several guest lectures, field trips, and out-of-class presentations scheduled during the semester.  Although it is not reasonable for me to make out-of-class events mandatory, I do expect the students to take advantage of all learning opportunities provided in the course.

• Among other details, Section 310.00 in the MSU Conduct Guidelines states that students must be prompt and regular in attending classes, be well prepared for classes, take exams when scheduled, and act in a respectful manner toward other students and the instructor.

• Academic Misconduct:  Unless group work is explicitly assigned, homework and exams must be prepared individually. Submitting the work of others is dishonest, constitutes academic misconduct, and is grounds for dismissal from the course. Paraphrasing or quoting another's work without citing the source is also academic misconduct.  Even inadvertent or unintentional misuse or appropriation of another's work (such as relying heavily on source material that is not expressly acknowledged) is plagiarism. If you have any questions about using and citing sources, you are expected to ask for clarification.

• If you have a documented disability for which you are or may be requesting accommodations, please know that you are welcome and encouraged to participate fully in this class!!  Contact the instructor and Disabled Student Services (994-2824) as soon as possible.

• All records related to this course are confidential and will not be shared with anyone, including parents, without a signed, written release from the MSU Dean of Students.  For more information contact the Dean of Students office at 994-2826.