Research

Music Technology PhD Opportunity

Project Title: Virtual Monitoring Environments for Audio Production

Project Description:
The production of audio involves two generic stages: Recording and Mixing/Mastering. At the mixing/mastering stage the current option is to rely on a specialist facility where critical listening takes place. Commonly, the acoustics of this space affect the correct perception of audio program and the hiring of expensive facilities is required� a studio or mastering room. On the other hand, monitoring through headphones, although immune to some of the problems of room acoustics, has its own inherent problems when reproducing stereo or multichannel program due to the omission of channel cross talk and other important acoustic aspects present in a room environment.

This project proposes to develop a critical monitoring system for headphone reproduction. It will investigate advanced digital signal processing techniques alongside a study of human listening factors to produce a system that enables production work to be carried out outside a controlled studio environment. The outcomes of the project will result in a hardware/software application crucial to the current trends of the audio production industry. There is already a stated industrial interest which may lead to associated funding towards this project.

A successful candidate will have an academic background in audio or music technology or a related scientific subject. A good knowledge of maths and previous experience with programming are desired.

Entry requirements: The standard entry requirement for PhD study is a First or Upper Second class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject. In certain circumstances, a Lower Second class honours degree supplemented by a Masters degree, or appropriate relevant work experience, may be acceptable.

Course fees: Tuition Fees

Related website:  Music Technology Research

Academic department: Department of Engineering and Technology: Music Technology

Contact: Dr Bruno Fazenda
Email: b.fazenda@hud.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1484 471893

How to apply: http://www2.hud.ac.uk/research/gradcentre/applications/