Master of Design Science (Audio & Acoustics)
Admission Requirements | Core Units of Study | Option units | Professional Development Courses | Career Profiles | Student Work | Careers in Audio Design | What Goes On?
The Audio & Acoustics program is unique in Australia and one of only a few comparable programs in the world. The program offers a balance of studio-based production subjects and theoretical and investigative subjects in acoustics and technical audio. It aims to extend students’ existing skills to a high level of proficiency and professionalism in the various disciplines that contribute to the audio and acoustics fields. The program suits people with an academic and/or professional track record in audio or related areas, wishing to extend the breadth and level of their expertise.
The sound studios consist of a recording studio and a 5.1 format production studio. The acoustical laboratory has an anechoic room and a reverberant room, and is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustical measurement and analysis tools. It is being completely renovated (after being destroyed by fire in October 2005), and is due for reopening at the end of 2007.
A student in the Audio & Acoustics program has the opportunity to develop a sophisticated understanding of, and skills in audio production and its application to new media, audio system and component design, audio and architectural acoustics, digital audio systems and electronics, and music as it relates to audio design. Students are exposed to world-class research activity and have the opportunity to do research projects of their own. The program is currently developing in the areas of sound reinforcement system design, interactive sound design, spatial audio, psychoacoustics and advanced measurement methods.
Program Coordinator: Dr Densil Cabrera
Career opportunities
Masters and Graduate Diploma applicants should hold a bachelors degree. Graduate Certificate applicants should hold a bachelors degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course.
Total credit points required
Graduate Certificate: 24
Core: 18, Options: 6, Electives: 0
Graduate Diploma: 48
Core: 24, Options: 18, Electives: 6
Master: 72
Core: 24, Options: 18, Electives: 30
Semester 1 core units
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Architectural and Audio Acoustics
DESC 9138, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
This unit will introduce the fundametnal concepts and issues of audio and architectural acoustics such as: Principles of sound propagation, sound absorption and room acoustics, physiological and psychological acoustics, microphones and loudspeakers, spatial audio, noise measurement and specification and principles and specification of sound insulation.
Audio Production
DESC 9011, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
This unit will look at the current tools and techniques, as well as the underlying strategies, processes and inherent philosophies involved in the various audio production modes. It will compare and contrast broadcast and other media production methods and ideologies including music recording, radio production, sound for picture, and new media, with reference to live sound reinforcement and location recording practices.
Digital Audio Systems
DESC 9115, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
This unit offers a systematic approach to understanding digital audio systems. Beginning with basic principles the course provides a knowledge base for understanding advanced digital audio components, systems and techniques. Examples of everyday audio signals are used and characterised in terms of their temporal and spectral properties. Practical application is emphasised and is supported through laboratory exercises that include programming as well as the use of current hardware and software packages.
Sound Design for New Media
DESC 9117, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2, classes: weekly
This unit is intended to give an understanding of the theory and practice of digital audio production for various visual media including digital video, web-based and interactive media. Using the industry stan-dard ProTools software the unit will look at current computer-based tools and techniques available to the sound designer, as well as examine the various underlying strategies, processes, and sound design philosophies. The unit will offer a grounding in the history, theory and criticism of sound design and its applicability to current digital visual media. It will introduce conventional and non-conventional production models across a range of media production modes in broadcasting and multimedia.
Electrics, Electronics and Electroacoustics
DESC 9042, 6 credit points, semester 1 weekly
Digital Audio Production with ProTools
DESC 9135, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive
Spatial Audio
DESC 9137, 6 credit points, semester 1 weekly
Audio Seminar
DESC 9134, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2 weekly
Audio Internship
DESC 9153, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2 weekly
Audio Systems and Measurement
DESC 9090, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Architectural Acoustics Practice
DESC 9133, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Loudspeaker Design
DESC 9116, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Music Technologies
DESC 9136, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Interactive Sound Studio
See Digital Media
Electives
Students are encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. Students must refer to the web for timetables.
David Rashleight Audio Visual & Technical Services Manager, ICM Group (Asia-Pacific Region)
What do you do?
I currently manage Audio Visual & Technical Services for the ICM Group in the Asia-Pacific Region. The company operates in 41 countries around the world producing over 600 events per annum. My role ranges from operating local events to overseeing 3-4 day summits in New Zealand, Malaysia and Japan. The most recent event was a World IT Congress on the Norwegian Star Cruise Liner.
How did you get there?
Like most people involved in Audio, I have had a diverse career path. After hanging on to complete a Bachelor of Business at UTS, I became a full time professional musician with local band 'Tall Tales & True'. After many years of touring & recording, the interest in Audio was a natural progression. The bands final album 'Tilt' (1994) was one of the first local releases to be recorded entirely on Digital Hard Disk. I compiled & edited the entire project. The ensuing years were spent between my digital editing suite, studio projects & live freelance work, most recently with acts such as Karma County and Jimmy Little. I also worked casually with the sound department at the Sydney Opera House.
What is one thing that sticks in your mindabout your master's degree in Audio?The audio course provides an excellent perspective on what has become a very broad field of expertise. Bringing together areas of production, design, acoustics and electronics gives students a well-rounded education.
Don't get me wrong, each subject gets specific...very specific. But when you come away you realise that they've managed to tell you not only how it works, but why and what it means in the overall picture.
Apart from being taught by people who are leaders in their field, I'd say much of the value comes from working with other students. The course seems to attract people with a wide & valuable experience base. As there is quite a deal of project & group work you tend to benefit as much from them as what is written in your notes.
Scott Willsallen
Sydney University's athletes are not the only ones making a splash at the Olympics this year. Scott Willsallen, who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture last year, will be working on the audio system in Athens' main stadium.
Graduate Scott Willsallen completed his Masters in Design Science (Audio Design) with honors at Sydney University last year, having undertaken a dissertation on the subject of electroacoustic transfer function in a stadium. For this he investigated the preferred frequency response of sound at listener positions in the Telstra Stadium during the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.
The opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup was one of the most technically advanced shows ever produced in Australia. Scott's design employed extra overlay clusters of loud speakers to complement the installed system enabling him to very effectively create stereo and surround sound audio throughout the stadium.
Following his graduation, Scott was contracted to design and implement the sound system for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
SCOTT WILLSALLEN owns and runs Performing Arts Technology.
You can reach him on 0417 677 499 or
You can read more about Sott's work by clicking on the following links:
- http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~densil/projects/stadium2003/
- http://www.juliusmedia.com/cxweb/article.asp?ID=442
- http://www.optocore.com/service/athen.html
Kamanu Koralage
How did you find out about Audio Design?
A friend told me about the course and I came to an open night afterwards.
Before I started this course I didn't have any knowledge about the field and I must say I've learned a lot and enjoyed the learning experience. If you are keen to learn, the lecturers are very helpful and approachable. My research project is the best thing that happened for me in the course. I've had a lot of fun and learned so much more through the practical aspect of the research work than if I'd done only coursework. In short it's been great!
Dr Chris Field, Acoustics expert
Architecture alumnus Dr Chris Field (PhD ’98) won the ABC’s Inventor of the Year Award on the “New Inventors” program with his Silenceair, an invention which allows fresh air into a building while leaving 85 per cent of the noise outside, Dr Field originally developed the idea while studying for his PhD in Acoustics seven years ago with his PhD supervisor, Honorary Associate Professor Fergus Fricke.
| The following gives you an insight into the applications of audio and acoustics research, from architectural acoustics to sonification. These posters were created by students studying Audio & Acoustics, and cross vast fields. | ||
Auditory perception of room size
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Acoustics of historic cinemas
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Auditory alerts for air traffic control consoles
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Acoustic quality of a stadium audio system
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Acoustical measurements of the Sydney Opera House
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Opera singer vocal directivity
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Anechoic lining design
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Acoustic shattering of fractal diffusers
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Vertical localisation
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[[anchor||careers]Careers in Audio Design
- Acoustical Consultant
- Building Services Consultant
- Sound Reinforcement System Designer
- Broadcast Facility Designer
- Recording Studio Designer
- Entertainment Facility Manager
- Sound Producer
- Multimedia Producer
- Theatre Sound Designer
- Film Sound Designer
- Film Sound Recordist/Editor
- Museum Sound Designer
- Radio Broadcaster
- TV Broadcaster
- Recording Studio Operator
- Sound Reinforcement System Operator
Sam Ferguson
Recipient of the APRA scholarship &
Recipient of the Sony Foundation Technology and Science Scholarship in Audio Design
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NSW RAIA Tuesday Night Talks
The NSW chapter of the RAIA runs an ongoing programme of weekly talks, taking place on Tuesday evenings. These Tuesday Night Talks, or TNT, are intended as a valuable forum for members to raise, discuss and explore important developments, issues and ideas relating to architecture and urban design, as well as being a way for members and the profession generally, to engage with the public, to promote architecture more generally.
