| Module Code | CS7028 |
| Module Name | Audio Video and Sensor Technologies |
| ECTS Weighting[1] | 10 ECTS |
| Semester taught | Semester 1 & 2 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Neill O’Dwyer, Jack Cawley, Andrew Holohan |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
LO1. Understand the nature of sound
LO2. Use a mixing control and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)
LO3. Use Virtual Studio Technology (VST plug-ins)
LO4. Set up microphones for recording voice and acoustic instruments
LO5. Conduct an audio recording session in a sound recording studio
LO6. Control the audio in a live performance
LO7. Create audio software using the Pure Data visual programming
environment.
LO8. Assess the technical requirements for producing a video.
LO9. Operate professional camera and apply shooting techniques.
LO10. Produce professional quality video projects
LO11. Recognise common terms and practices in the creation of a video
LO12. Shoot / light an interview with edited cutaway sequences
LO13. Assess the technical requirements for producing a video.
LO14. Operate professional camera and apply shooting techniques.
LO15. Produce professional quality video projects
LO16. Recognise common terms and practices in the creation of a video
LO17. Shoot / light an interview with edited cutaway sequences
LO18. Fourth learning outcome (Niall O’Hara)
LO19. Fifth learning outcome
LO20. Sixth learning outcome
Module Content
Audio Technologies (Jack Cawley)
Introduction to Sound and Acoustics: Acoustic waves; Time and Frequency;
Decibels and loudness; Inverse Square Law; Transducer systems
Room Acoustics and Psychoacoustics: Pitch, Loudness and Timbre; Impulse
responses; Room acoustics: Early Reflections, diffuse field; Psychoacoustic
parameters: IACC, LE, LF; Absorbers, diffusers and room treatment
Digital and Analog Audio: Sampling Rate; Bit depth; AD/DA conversion;
Sampling theorem; Dynamic Range
Mixing Console Workflow: Gain control; Equalizers; Panning, summing and
master faders; Auxiliary channels; Phantom power; Pre-amplification; Pre- and
Post-fader control; Cabling and standards
Microphones: Dynamic microphones; Condenser microphones; Microphone
Directivity; Proximity effect
Multitrack Recording – Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): Introduction to
audio sequencing; Sequencer basics; Monitoring; Click track recording; Editing;
Stereo Mixdown
Audio Signal Processing: Equalizers; Reverberation; Dynamic Range Processing;
Modulation Effects; Distortion; Pitch Correction
Mixing in DAWs: Panning; Equalization; Automation; Inserts; Sends; Mixing for
video and games
Recording Techniques: Monophonic microphone placement; Stereophonic
Recording Techniques: Intensity stereo recording, Coincident stereo recording,
ORTF, Binaural Audio
Stereophonic Mastering: Master bus signal processing; Mastering for CD/DVD;
The loudness wars; Dithering; Compression & Codecs
MIDI: How MIDI works; Basic MIDI commands; General MIDI; MIDI Interfaces;
MIDI in sequencers; Quantization; Virtual Instruments (VST plug-ins)
Introduction to Surround Sound: Overview of Multi-Channel Audio Technology;
5.1 Surround sound basics; Setting Up for Surround Sound on commercial
loudspeaker layouts; Surround Audio calibration
Mixing and mastering for 5.1 surround sound: Surround Panning; Surround
Sound signal processing; Reverberation control; LFE Channel considerations;
Stereo Compatibility; Discrete Vs. Matrixed Surround Sound; Dolby Digital
Encoding
Interactive Sound Control with Pure Data (PD): Introduction to Real-time Audio
Signal Processing; Audio I/O control with PD; Multichannel Audio in PD; Audio
Filtering and DSP with PD; MIDI in PD
Moving Image for Digital Applications (Neill O’Dwyer)
This module aims to familiarize students with key concepts and debates
surrounding the moving image. Theories of representation are explored alongside
the development and expansion of the moving image in society. Questions of
realism will be discussed; the conventions of commercial narrative cinema will be
considered, along with strategies of representation that interrogate notions of
transparency. Works that offer alternative approaches to form, that seek to expand
the possibilities of the moving image and re-imagine the role of the spectator shall
be the focus of weekly discussion. A diverse range of influential theoretical, critical
and cultural perspectives related to the study of the moving image will be illustrated
via screenings of relevant material.
Moving Image for Digital Applications (Tom Burke)
Specific topics addressed in this module include:
Narrative and narration
Editing
Mise-en-scène
Documentary Film and Video
Projection in Performance
Interview techniques
Moving Image and Interactive Installation
Old Media, New Media and the Contemporary Media Landscape
Camera, Lighting and Editing in Practice
Digital Video Specifications
Exposure Control & Colour Balance
Camera Controls
Audio Recording – including use of specific microphones
Composition & Framing
Lighting Techniques
Post Production
Audio Mixing in Post Production
Digital Video File Encoding: data rates, frame sizes, compression rates,
compression codecs, colour depth
Practical topics include:
Introduction to Digital Video (Introductions; Course Outline)
Digital Video Specifications (Sensors: CMOS, CCD; Video formats; Pixel
Aspect ratio; Frame rates; Resolution; Scan Method)
Exposure & Colour Balance (Aperture; Shutter Speed; ISO / Gain; White
Balance)
Introduction to Camera Systems (Controls; Functions; Operation; Tripod vs
Handheld)
Audio techniques for video production (Diegetic, Non Diegetic Sound;
Types of microphones; Microphone placement; Room tone & Ambient
Sound)
Framing & Shot Types (Shot Size; Composition theory; Head room &
Looking room; Depth of Field; Cutaways)
Lighting (Safety; Hard & Soft Light; Colour Temperature; Gels & reflectors;
3 Point lighting; Lighting Ratios)
Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro (Creating a new Premiere project; File
formats; Capturing Footage; Editing; Exporting Movies)
Funding: An overview of funding sources in the Irish context incl. RTE,
BAI, TG4, Virgin Media, The Arts Council, Screen Ireland
Introduction to Sensor Technologies (Niall O’Hara)
Introduction to Sensor Technology: Providing on overview of Physical
Computing / Introduction to the fundamentals of Electronics / Introduction to
the components and tools used in the course.
Introduction to Physical computing
Basic Electricity and Electronics: Introduction to Electricity; Ohm’s Law; What is
a circuit; Reading a Resistor Chart; Reading a Schematic; Principles of
Electromagnetic transduction; Using a solder-less breadboard to build a
prototype circuit.
Sensors and Actuators: Digital and Analogue sensors and actuators
Introduction to the Arduino: Introduction to fundamentals of programming
with Arduino/ Simple I/O using DigitalWrite() and DigitalRead() / Building a
simple circuit using a sensor and an actuator.
Introduction to the Arduino Board: Elements of the Microcontroller board;
Introduction to the Software IDE; Setting up Arduino: port and board
specifications
Teaching and learning Methods
e.g., lectures, laboratories, tutorials, online, field trips, practice-based, etc.
Please include a brief description.
Assessment Details
| Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of total | Week set | Week Due |
| Coursework | | All | 100 | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Reassessment Details
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
| Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | 66 hours |
| Semester 1: Audio Technologies | 22 hours |
| Semester 1: Moving Image for Digital Applications (Vivienne O’Kelly) | 11 hours |
| Semester 2: Moving Image for Digital Applications (Tom Burke) | 22 hours |
| Semester 2: Sensor Technologies (Niall O’Hara) | 11 hours |
| Independent study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | 72 hours |
| Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable | 22 hours |
| completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | 16 hours |
| Total Hours | 116 hours |
Recommended Reading List
Students will be given recommended reading on a weekly basis and will also be
expected to read broadly beyond the topics covered during lectures.
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules: N/A
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: N/A
Module Co-requisites
None