- Source: Salford Acoustics
Salford Acoustics offers acoustics and audio engineering courses undertakes public and industrial research in acoustics, carries out commercial testing and undertakes activities to engage the public in acoustic science and engineering. It is based in two locations: (i) 3 km west of Manchester city centre, UK, in the Newton Building on the Peel Park Campus of the University of Salford, and (ii) on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal in Manchester at MediaCityUK.
History and current structure
The first acoustic laboratories were established in Salford in 1965; in the early 1970s the Department of Applied Acoustics was formed. In 1996 the university merged with University College Salford and a Department of Acoustic and Audio Engineering was formed. A couple of years later, this joined with another department to form Acoustic and Electronic Engineering. Finally, the university twice reduced the number of schools in the organisation. Salford Acoustics first joined the School of Computing, Science and Engineering and later this was merged into the School of Science, Engineering and Environment. Research work comes under the auspices of the Acoustics Research Centre.
Programmes
The Department of Applied Acoustics first taught an undergraduate degree in 1975, namely the BSc (Hons) in Electroacoustics. This was later renamed Beng (Hons) Acoustics. In 1993, Salford Acoustics set up the BEng (Hons) in Audio Technology. These two undergraduate degrees are now taught under a single banner, BEng Audio Acoustics, with two pathways to represent the different interests of the cohort. Salford acoustics has also taught masters in acoustic engineering and audio for many decades, currently offering an MSc in Audio Acoustics and an MSc in Environmental Acoustics. The Acoustics Research Centre offers masters and doctoral research degrees.
Research
= Rating
=In REF2021, the feedback from the Engineering Panel (UoA12) noted, ‘outstanding impact demonstrated … live sports audio’. The Acoustics Research Centre achieved the top research rating of 6* in RAE 2001 as part of the Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment's submission to Unit Of Assessment 30, Architecture and the Built Environment. In 2008, the RAE submission including the Acoustics Research Centre finished top of Research Fortnight’s ‘Research Power’ table for Architecture & the Built Environment. 90% of the research was graded at international standard and 25% at world-leading.
= Sub-disciplines
=Research is carried out in the following sub-disciplines of acoustic engineering and science
Archaeoacoustics
Architectural and building acoustics
Audio signal processing
Auralization
Electroacoustics
Environmental noise
Noise control
Outdoor sound propagation
Psychoacoustics
Remote sensing using sound
Sound reproduction
Soundscapes
Surround sound systems
Vibration and dynamics
Public engagement
Examples of public engagement work include:
The search for the Worst Sound in the World. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council GrantRef:EP/D000068/1.
Development of extensive curriculum materials on physics and acoustics for schools (EPSRC GrantRefs:GR/S23919/01, EP/D507030/1, P/D054729/1, EP/E033806/1, EP/G020116/1)
The search for the Sonic Wonders of the World
Laboratories
Most of Salford's Acoustics and Audio Laboratories are based on the Peel Park campus, but some are at MediaCityUK:
Audio production suites
Radio studios
Recording studios
Anechoic chamber
2x Semi-anechoic chambers
Reverberation chamber
Transmission suite
Listening room
Commercial work
Salford Acoustics is a calibration and test house for construction, government, military, audio R&D and the motor industry.
Current staff
= Awards
== Notable staff
=Trevor Cox, (Professor of Acoustic Engineering and Broadcaster)
Olga Umnova
Alumni and Former Staff
The following past members of Salford Acoustics have been President of the Institute of Acoustics:
See also
University of Salford
References
External links
Official website