Course contents *

Two- and three-dimensional sound reproduction, surround formats. A/D and D/A conversion for audio in detail. Studio signal processing. Data reduction methods. Integrated circuits for audio. Hard disks and audio. Optical disks in audio. Sound quality assessment. Software architectures for audio. Audio in broadcasting. The course assignment involves writing an in-depth article on a self-selected sub-topic in audio.  Several guest lecturers contribute with their expertise. For a detailed  description, please see the home page of this course.

Intended learning outcomes *

The participants shall upon completion of this course

• be able to specify at a block diagram level the functions/components that must or may be included in audio systems for various applications; with regard for technical constraints such as channel count, converter types, data reduction methods, power requirements and storage
• be able to assess audio systems with regard to sound quality and suitability in given applications
• be acquainted with how real-time audio data are usually managed in audio software and in operating systems
• have obtained basic experience with using a mixing desk and its major peripherals such as dynamics processor, reverb unit and equaliser
• be able to understand the first few pages of data sheets for audio integrated circuits
• be able to participate in the planning, deployment and maintenance of new and existing systems
• have a broad perspective on how transforms, signal theory, discrete mathematics, information theory, electronics and physics all come together in audio applications

Course Disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites *

Single course students: 90 university credits including 45 university credits in Mathematics or Information Technology. English B, or equivalent.   

Recommended prerequisites

The prerequisite knowledge varies with the background of the participant. This course is elective for Media 3-4, E4 and D4. In the Media Technology programme, the course is taken as part of a major (with thesis) or a minor (without thesis) in Sound.
For Media 3-4: DT1175 Sound and DT1130 Spectral transforms for Media.
All others: some fundamentals of electrical engineering with signal theory and signal processing, and some acoustics. If in doubt, please e-mail the examiner with your course record. 

Media Technology: the theory for perception of sound and for what is communicated to the listener. Electrical Engineering: the theory of audio signals and digital technology in audio systems.  Computer Science: the theory for sound-based man-machine interaction, and systems programming.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

Ken C. Pohlmann:Principles of Digital Audio,sixth edition, McGraw Hill 2011. ISBN 978-0-07-166346-5.

Audioteknik idag, a collection of articles written by earlier course participants (some in English).

A wide range of supplementary material and course notes is distributed during the course.Workbook and laboratory materials.

Grading scale *

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination *

• ANN1 - Assignment, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• LAB1 - Laboratory Course, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 4.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

In this course all the regulations of the code of honor at the School of Computer science and Communication apply, see: https://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex/inledning-1.17237.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Sten Ternström

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

EECS/Human Centered Technology

Main field of study *

Electrical Engineering

Education cycle *

Second cycle

Add-on studies

Please discuss with the instructor.

Contact

Sten Ternström, tel: 790 7855, e-post: stern@kth.se

Ethical approach *

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Supplementary information

In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see:
http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex