Digital Audio Technique

Course Description

Audio signal quantization. Dither. Aliasing. Theoretical and real dynamics. A/D and D/A transducers in the audio frequency range. Over sampling. Noise shaping. Digital filters. Channel codes. Reduction and compression of data stream. Multichannel systems for transferring and recording of signals with data stream reduction, lossless transmission. Errors and protection. Rotary and longitudinally record on magnetic media. Records on optical and magneto optical media. CD, MOD, DVD, FLASH. Computer as a system for recording, generating, processing and measurement of sound signals. Professional codes for connecting devices.

General Competencies

Good understanding of principles of analog to digital conversion of audio signals, in particular sampling, quantization, dithering, sample frequency conversion, oversampling, noise shaping, A/D converter techniques. Deep understanding of audio data coding, particularly, channel coding, error protection and correction. Theoretical knowledge of transformational, perceptual and lossless coding. Good understanding of audio data storage on magnetic and optical media, as well as real time streaming. Practical skills to analyze and simulate audio processing devices (converters, coders) using Matlab/Simulink programming language.

Learning Outcomes

  1. apply the optimal conversion of analog to digital signals in relation dynamics
  2. analyze gain in dynamic in relation to the stages of oversampling
  3. apply the optimal implementation of coding to reduce the rate of data
  4. analyze existing decoding systems in relation to the required quality
  5. appraise the overall possible quality of the transmission path
  6. apply the optimal application in relation to the cost-benefit requirement
  7. design an appropriate system for the transmission and digital signal processing
  8. evaluate the optimal system for recording and archiving of digital signal

Forms of Teaching


Concentrated lecture, with all the options and present. Practical examples. Communication with students during and after school hours.


Mid-term exams after half of the teaching material. Final exam: written and oral.

Laboratory Work

Hardware and software exercises follow the curriculum


Lecturer is available to students in office hours for oral consultations, and by email any time.


Student should select a topic from relevant to the course. The theme is mostly an introduction to the area of ​​student interest.

Grading Method

Continuous Assessment Exam
Type Threshold Percent of Grade Threshold Percent of Grade
Laboratory Exercises 0 % 20 % 0 % 20 %
Mid Term Exam: Written 0 % 20 % 0 %
Final Exam: Written 20 % 40 %
Final Exam: Oral 20 %
Exam: Written 20 % 60 %
Exam: Oral 20 %

Week by Week Schedule

  1. Sampling theorem. Audio signal quantization. Dither. Aliasing.
  2. Digital signal recording. PCM. A/D transducers in the audio frequency range.
  3. Digital signal reproduction. D/A converters in the audio frequency range. Jitter
  4. Sigma-delta conversion and noise shaping
  5. Media for storing digital recordings. Optical. Magnetic. Solid-state
  6. Low bit rate coding. Theory
  7. Low bit rate coding. Codec design
  8. Middle term exam
  9. Digital signal processing. Discrete signals. Digital filters
  10. Speech coding for transmission
  11. Digital devices interconnection. SPDIF. AES. HDMI, MIDI
  12. Telecommunications and internet audio
  13. Digital radio an television
  15. Final exam.

Study Programmes

University graduate
Electronics (profile)
Specialization Course (2. semester)
Wireless Technologies (profile)
Specialization Course (2. semester)


J. Watkinson (2001.), The Art of Digital Audio, Focal Press, Oxford,
K. Pohlman (2011.), Principels of Digital Audio, Mc Graw-Hill, Indianopolis
Udo Zoelzer (2008.), Digital Audio Signal Processing, John Wiley&Sons, New York
D. Thomsen, B. Ivančević (1986.), Digitalna audiotehnika, Tehnička knjiga Zagreb
J. Blauer (2005.), Communication Acoustics, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg


ID 34483
  Summer semester
L2 English Level
L1 e-Learning
30 Lectures
0 Exercises
0 Laboratory exercises
0 Project laboratory

Grading System

89 Excellent
76 Very Good
63 Good
50 Acceptable