Sound Engineering with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

Birmingham City University

The Acoustic Fundamentals module provides a foundation in acoustics and psychoacoustics. You will delve into topics such as how humans hear sound, why musical instruments sound the way they do, and how room characteristics influence sound, gaining essential knowledge and skills to underpin your journey to becoming an experienced sound engineer. The module combines theory with industry-standard practical skills to deepen your understanding of sound, psychoacoustics, musical instruments, and room acoustics.

To pursue a career in the field of sound engineering the need to be proficient in the principles of digital audio is essential. This module will introduce the nature of digital signals, presenting the international standards for digital audio data and the common processes involved in the capture and processing of digital signals.

The Sound Recording module provides a base for you to develop key skills in recording and mixing, imperative for all fields of music technology and sound engineering. You will gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art hybrid analogue/digital recording studios, exploring recording techniques and processes applicable to a wide range of acoustic and electric instruments. With a focus on analogue-based audio systems and processes, and microphone technology, you will apply this knowledge through a series of studio-based recordings.

This module will develop your key understanding of electronic fundamentals as applied to audio systems. It is assumed that you will have no knowledge of electronics and therefore will be taught the fundamentals of signals (voltages and currents), before moving on to components which make up circuits such as filters and amplifiers. As this is an audio electronics module focus will also be given to loudspeakers, microphones and headphones to give a broad understanding of the subject.

The Audio Programming module equips you with essential skills to design and implement audio-related software tools, bridging the gap between sound engineering and technical programming. In a digital age where audio production heavily relies on software solutions, mastering programming concepts is vital for aspiring audio professionals.

This module introduces the fundamentals of live sound reinforcement for small to medium-sized venues. You will gain hands-on experience with both analogue and digital live sound equipment. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of analogue signal flow, including the setup and use of equipment such as graphic equalisers and analogue mixing consoles, to establish a strong foundation before utilising digital systems. In addition to practical skills such as equipment setup and configuration, signal flow, and troubleshooting, the module emphasises theoretical knowledge, including acoustic modelling, system optimisation, and the principles of electrical safety and compliance with modern health and safety standards.

The Broadcast Sound module immerses students in diverse industry-inspired roles, fostering skills in ADR, and Foley, as well as field-based recording, dubbing mixing, and live radio streaming. Collaborating with BCU film students, you will develop interdisciplinary expertise through teamwork. This module combines studio and live production techniques essential for navigating the dynamic broadcast industry.

This module builds on the foundational knowledge acquired in the previous Audio Programming module, offering a practical and theoretical exploration of advanced audio processing techniques. This module provides you with an applied understanding of the principles and implementation of real-time digital audio effects, equipping you with the technical skills necessary for diverse audio engineering roles.

This module will develop your key understanding of audio systems, combining digital (software) and analogue electronics using microprocessor-based systems known as an embedded system. This module will develop your understanding of how audio equipment functions at a systems level, to provide an understanding of the way audio signals are processed in hardware and software and how they are integrated together. Embedded Audio Systems builds upon previous knowledge gained in Audio Electronics and Digital Audio Fundamentals to increase applied understanding of sound engineering concepts in a practical and theoretical manner. The module has an emphasis upon practical design and introduces audio software development in a C++ related programming language for Arduinos or similar microcontrollers. Furthermore, the module will explore different microcontrollers used for audio and the specific i/o necessary to interface to other systems. It will consider applications in audio consoles, interfaces, sequencers, and synthesisers

The Acoustic Applications module dives into the world of acoustics as applied in industry. You will explore how your favourite concert halls, recording studios and buildings are designed, how the sounds around you impact health and well-being, and how industry practitioners ensure this is controlled. The module combines theory and legislation with industry-standard practical skills to develop your understanding of building acoustics, environmental noise, soundscapes and product sounds.

This module will allow you to gain an in-depth understanding of global audio industries and how organisations have sought to adapt to technological change. This module enhances employability through the development of your understanding of employer requirements and approaches to recruitment. You will develop your appreciation of the global business environment through activities based on professional practice and this will be supported by guest lectures and the opportunity for on-going interaction with industry professionals via online forums.

The Recording, Production and Delivery module builds on Level 4 Sound Recording, elevating expectations for outcomes and fostering higher levels of collaboration. Students develop an individual recording portfolio based on personal areas of interest whilst acquiring core techniques and skills in key applications. Lectures, studio labs and software training sessions offer a broad range of practical mixing and production teaching alongside focus on critical listening, mix analysis and project evaluation.

The Immersive Audio module explores immersive production strategies that move beyond two-channel stereo. This module is inherently interdisciplinary, providing an opportunity to design and communicate professional-standard soundscapes, and will develop your technical skills in immersive audio. The module incorporates a range of skills crucial to potential employment in acoustics, pro-audio, film, game and VR-related industries.

This module introduces students to the transformative impact of machine learning in audio engineering and sound design. It highlights the role of machine learning in powering innovations such as audio classification, sound event detection, music generation, and speech recognition. Students will gain a robust understanding of machine learning concepts and their application to audio tasks, developing the ability to design, implement, and critically evaluate data-driven solutions.

Building on the foundational skills developed in Live Sound Fundamentals, this module focuses on advanced techniques and workflows required for medium to large-scale live sound productions. You will gain a deeper understanding of digital systems, networked audio, and the operation of line array PA systems, developing the expertise to plan and execute complex multi-desk setups. This module emphasises team collaboration, advanced troubleshooting, and the technical skills necessary to manage sophisticated live sound environments.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development. At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.