Universidad de Jaén

The student will acquire knowledge about the different elements that intervene in the audio chain. Special interest will be given to the analog and digital processing, mixing of signals, recording, storage and interconnection of equipment.
Likewise, the student will become familiar with the use of the most common equipment and will simulate the operation of several of the elements of an audio chain designed to characterize them.

Keywords: audio, audio chain, audio processing, mixing, recording, storage, interconnection.

In addition, the student will be provided with the ability to be up-to-date on new science and technology, especially in this type of subject, so linked to a dynamic environment such as telecommunications, and specifically Telecommunication Technologies.

The program is divided into three parts:

THEORETICAL PART:

Topic 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOUND SYSTEMS
1.1. Presentation of the subject. Historical review
1.2. Review of fundamental concepts
1.3. The audio chain
1.4. Summary

Topic 2: AMPLIFIERS
2.1 Introduction.
2.2. Operational amplifiers.
2.3. Preamplifiers
2.4. Power amplifiers.
2.5. Summary and conclusions.

Topic 3: SIGNAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
3.1. Introduction.
3.2. Dynamics processing equipment.
3.3. Processed in the time domain.
3.4. Processed in the frequency domain.
3.5. Introduction to DSP processors. Multi-effect processors.
3.6. Summary and conclusions.

Topic 4: THE MULTICANAL CONSOLE
4.1. Introduction.
4.2. Basic functionalities and structure.
4.3. Classification of the consoles.
4.4. Multichannel console with crossover configuration.
4.5. Multichannel console with online configuration.
4.6. Measuring equipment in a console.
4.7. Use of the multichannel console.
4.8. Automation in consoles.
4.9. Introduction to digital multi-channel consoles.
4.10. Diagram of blocks of commercial consoles.
4.11. Summary of the topic and conclusions.

Topic 5: DIGITAL AUDIO
5.1. Advantages of Digital Audio.
5.2. Conversation A / D.
5.3. Compression techniques
5.4. Coding standards.
5.5 Connection in cascade.
5.6. Summary and conclusions.

PRACTICAL PART:

The practical block of the subject consists of practices in the laboratory, and its character is mandatory. The objective of the proposed practices is the achievement of the established competences. In addition, information, ideas, problems and solutions in the field of engineering and society in general will be developed through documentation delivery processes or oral presentations.

With regard to the organization of work, collaboration and teamwork will be encouraged through the design of the practices themselves.

The practical contents are the following:

Practice 1: use of the free software audio editor audacity.

Practice 2: characterization and simulation of different elements used in audio.

Practice 3: use of the audio equipment installed in the laboratory: analogue mixing console, digital mixing console, noise door compressor, effects generator, equalizers, electronic musical instruments ...

Because the number of positions with teams is limited, practice 3 will be carried out on a rotational basis among the students, combined with the performance of practice 2.

SEMINARS

Seminar 1: Dithering

A1 - Lectures in large group

The methodology to be followed in the lectures in a large group will be a mixture of introductory activities, master classes and the exhibition of theory and general examples in the classroom designated for the subject by the center. In addition to the exposition of the theoretical contents of the subject, the ability to collect and interpret data and handle complex concepts within the Engineering in Telecommunication Technologies will be developed and strengthened, in order to issue judgments that involve reflection on ethical and social issues.

The student must follow the teacher's presentation with the material given for this purpose, either notes or slide presentation, which must be completed with their own notes and with the subsequent revision of the basic and / or recommended bibliography.

The attendance, as well as the active, respectful and responsible participation, either to raise doubts or to respond to the requirements or questions of the teacher, will be positively evaluated in its corresponding factor.

The student's autonomous work should focus on reviewing the concepts and theoretical aspects seen in the class, carrying out exercises, as well as studying them with the material provided by the teacher, student's notes and bibliography.

A2. Lectures with practical groups

The work in the laboratory will focus on the development of the applications, or learning tasks designated by the teacher, which will culminate with the finalization of the client or server applications, the objective of the practice, which will continue, throughout the course, a project-based learning methodology.

Therefore, during the practice sessions, the design and implementation work of the applications marked by the different practices must be carried out fundamentally, in order to have the supervision of the professor. In addition, work will be encouraged in a collaborative environment, as well as mixing with the communication of results, with special emphasis on the need for continuous training of the activities related to telecommunications throughout their professional life independently.

The attendance, as well as the active, respectful and responsible participation, either to raise doubts or to respond to the requirements or questions of the teacher, will be positively evaluated in its corresponding factor.

Regarding the autonomous work, this will focus on the preparation of the documentation to be delivered of each practice, as well as on completing the work started in the laboratory and that could not be completed in the corresponding session.

A3. Collective tutorial classes

The collective tutorials will be used in the resolution of doubts, monitoring and supervision of the works and exercises as well as in the attendance and participation to the different seminars planned in the subject, in addition to talks, conferences, workshops and / or conferences, designated by the teacher, in order to complete and update the training and obtaining general, transversal and / or specific skills defined for this activity, such as the value of continuing education, entrepreneurship or review of technological developments in the field.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

OVERALL EVALUATION

This assessment method is organised according to the activities described in the previous table. The evaluation process consists of:

- The evaluation of the tasks defined in the Teaching Guide during the Teaching period.

- A final Written Exam during the Examination period.

The assessment aspects evaluated in both parts and their contribution to the final mark are summarized in the following table:

Marks obtained during the Teaching period (as a record of the continuous evaluation process) will be kept until the end of the academic year.

Written Exam

The students have to make a Written Exam that assesses the theoretical and operating aspects of the subject (S2 and S3) at the end of the semester (at the date established in the examination period). This final evaluation is made to assess the extent to which the students have acquired all the competences and learning outcomes established for those aspects. The weight of this exam is the 50% of each of the evaluated aspects (S2 and S3).

Any books, notes, documentation, or equipment allowed for this Final Exam have to be approved by the lecturer.

Final assessment

The students must obtain a mark higher or equal to 4 (out of 10) in S4 to keep this evaluation method (Laboratory or computer practical work). The students will pass the subject through this evaluation method by getting a mark higher or equal than 5.0 out of 10 in the overall result (continuous evaluation and written exam), but with the condition of obtaining a mark higher or equal to 4.0 in the Written Exam and in S4.

The students can renounce to the Overall Evaluation at any time, but they cannot choose it again. Thus, they will be evaluated only by the FINAL EXAM method.

FINAL EXAM EVALUATION

This kind of evaluation is based in only one written exam that evaluates all the aspects of the subject, by assessing the students acquisition of all the competences and learning outcomes established in the subject. This exam will take place during the Examination period on a date established by the centre. The final exam is weighted in the following way:

- Attendance and participation (S1), theoretical concepts (S2) and Exercises, problems and study cases (S3): 70%.

- Laboratory and computer practical work (S4): 30%.

 In order to pass the subject, the student must have marks higher or equal to 5.0 out of 10 at each part of the final exam.

The students who have already fulfil the requirements of aspect S4 (Laboratory or computer practical work) through the OVERALL EVALUATION, by obtaining a mark higher or equal to 5.0 out of 10 do not have to make this part in the FINAL EXAM evaluation.

Those aspects successfully completed with a mark higher or equal to 5.0 will be considered passing during that academic year.

Using this approach, the following competences will be evaluated: CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG4, CG9, SI1 and SI2.
Obtaining a positive evaluation indicates that the student has reached the following learning results of the module: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21.

The use of electronic devices in classes and exams is forbidden except that they are required for the right develoment of learning activities and always with the authorization of the lecturer.