Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/audio-engineering

Introduction

### Course Review: Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics **Overview:** If you've ever found yourself fascinated by the intricate relationship between sound and electronics, then the "Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics" course on Coursera is an excellent choice for you. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the basic principles of acoustics and electronics, tailored specifically for the context of musical sound. By blending theoretical concepts with hands-on applications, the course equips students with the foundational knowledge required to understand and create music using electronic instruments. **Course Structure:** The course is structured into six comprehensive weeks, each focusing on core themes that build upon one another: 1. **Week 1 - Introduction to Sound and Electrical Circuits:** This week dives into the physics of sound, covering essential concepts such as sound waves, frequency, and acoustics. Simultaneously, it introduces you to basic electronics, including Ohm’s law and DC circuits. This foundation is crucial for understanding how sound interacts with various frequencies and pitches. 2. **Week 2 - Acoustic Resonance and Electrical Circuits:** Here, you'll explore how sound behaves in different environments—discussing reflection, absorption, and room acoustics. The course also introduces AC signals and circuit analysis, paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of complex electronic systems. 3. **Week 3 - Necessary Mathematics and AC Circuit Analysis:** This week is dedicated to essential mathematics needed for electronics and audio engineering, like transistors and vacuum tubes. You'll learn how to convert sound into electrical signals using microphones and pickups, along with converting those signals back into sound with loudspeakers. 4. **Week 4 - AC Signals and Loudspeakers:** Dive deeper into the world of electric guitar electronics, focusing on aspects of pickup design and the functioning of guitar amplifiers. Understanding volume and tone control circuits will enhance your knowledge of how these elements affect sound quality. 5. **Week 5 - Loudspeaker Design:** This section is all about practical speaker design. You’ll learn about closed and ported speaker configurations and their implications on sound quality. This week demystifies the importance of speaker enclosures and crossover networks, crucial for anyone interested in audio engineering. 6. **Week 6 - Guitar Pickup and Effects Analysis:** In the final week, you will get hands-on experience by building a guitar amplifier. This practical component allows you to apply your learned skills, including soldering and troubleshooting. Learning about signal modification and effects adds to the excitement, making it a fitting conclusion to the course. **Pros:** - **Comprehensive Syllabus:** The course covers a wide range of topics necessary for understanding audio engineering. - **Hands-On Experience:** Practical assignments help cement theoretical knowledge through application. - **Expert Instructors:** The course is often taught by experienced professionals in the field, providing insights that are both educational and inspiring. **Cons:** - **Pace:** Depending on your prior knowledge, some may find the pace challenging, particularly those who are new to electronics or acoustic physics. - **Mathematical Components:** Some learners may be intimidated by the mathematics involved, although it is essential for a thorough understanding of acoustics and electronics. **Recommendation:** I highly recommend the "Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics" course for both music aficionados and those looking to deepen their technical knowledge in audio. Whether you're an aspiring sound engineer, a budding musician, or simply someone passionate about the science behind sound, this course provides a beneficial mix of theory and practical skills. By the end of it, you will not only appreciate the depth of sound and music better, but you will also have the technical know-how to create and manipulate sound using modern electronic equipment. Enroll now on Coursera and take your first step towards mastering the fundamentals of audio and music engineering!

Syllabus

Week 1 - Introduction RC & Introduction to Electrical Circuits MB

Introduction to oscillations and sound waves, simple oscillating systems, sound pressure, sound waves, the speed of sound, wavelength, frequency and pitch, sound pressure level, loudness, making sound, properties of musical sound versus “noise”. Electronics fundamentals - charge, current, voltage, power, resistance, Ohm’s law, DC circuits, finding currents and voltages in simple circuits.

Reflection and absorption of sound, resonances in air columns, resonances in enclosures and rooms, diffraction and diffusion of sound, reverberation, principles of designing a good music studio. AC signals, phase and complex numbers, capacitors, inductors, transformers, impedance, AC circuits and AC circuit analysis, simple filters (high-pass, low-pass, band-pass)

Transistors, vacuum tubes, opamps, amplification, power gain, single-stage amplifiers. Converting sound to electrical signals –microphones and guitar pickups, converting electrical signals to sound – loudspeakers

Electric guitar electronics, pickup design, pickup placement and tone, volume control circuits, tone control circuits. Overview of a simple guitar amplifier, power supply, volume control, preamp, tone control, power amp section.

Designing speaker enclosures, basic principles, interaction of speaker driver with the cabinet, why a cabinet at all? Speaker designs for home stereo, crossover networks, guitar amplifier (open) speaker enclosures, bass amplifier (closed and vented) speaker enclosures.

Building the guitar amplifier, how to solder, getting the amp to work - systematic testing and troubleshooting. Visualizing sound waves, frequency content and tone, signal modification in electro-acoustic systems, tube amplifiers and distortion, wah pedal, talk box.