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Virtual Acoustics & Spatial Audio - ELE00120M

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Gavin Kearney
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module summary

This module looks at the creation of virtual acoustic environments using acoustic measurement and room modelling techniques as well as the use of immersive surround sound technologies over a wide range of applications including music production, film and television post-production, gaming and virtual reality systems.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To define for the student the building blocks of an auralisation system, from sound source, convolution engine, model, measurement and/or simulation through to multi-channel or binaural audio rendering.
  • To present the student the state of the art in spatial audio and surround sound
  • To outline the fundamental signal processing involved in the implementation of an auralisation system, including impulse response measurement, audio convolution, digital filtering.
  • To define the student objective analysis techniques to verify the results obtained from measurement and simulation.

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in critically evaluating and synthesising new information based on researched information and writing concise technical reports appropriate for the target audience
  • To develop advanced skills in designing, delivering and defending engaging presentations on advanced topics, appropriate for the target audience
  • Work individually to develop acoustic models and simulations/synthesis.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to measure room acoustics according to ISO-3382

  • Be able to auralise a sound source using multi-channel convolution

  • Be able to synthesise a virtual acoustic environment from a room model

  • Have an understanding of the state of the art in spatial audio and surround sound systems

  • Be able to record audio using multichannel audio recording techniques

  • Be able to render an immersive audio over both headphones and loudspeakers

  • Have a good understanding of interactive audio systems that utilise motion-tracking technologies

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to construct concise technical reports that critically evaluate and synthesise new information based on research, appropriate for the target audience

  • Be able to design, deliver and defend persuasive technical presentations based on selected reliable evidence to the target audiences

  • Be able to present technical work in a clear and concise fashion.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Technical Report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Technical Report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.

A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback. This can be found at https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/assessment-and-examination/guide-to-assessment/

The Department of Electronic Engineering aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. Students are provided with their examination results within 20 working days of the end of any given examination period. The Department will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline. The Department would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The Department will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Indicative reading


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.