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, when the university greatly reduced the number of schools in the organisation, Salford Acoustics joined the School of Computing, Science and Engineering. 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
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 Assment 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 (EPSRC 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) Aeolus sculpture and outreach (EPSRC GrantRefs:EP/G062781/1) 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) Professor Yiu Wai Lam, ex-Editor in Chief of Applied Acoustics Olga Umnova
Alumni and Former Staff
The following past members of Salford Acoustics have been President of the Institute of Acoustics: