Signal Processing Applications Research Group
Established in January 1999 within the Electronics and Sound subject group, SPARG started by focusing on applying signal processing and real-time Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques to a range of technological problems. However, over the years, the Applications part of the research group, and subject area, have enabled a research group with a strong focus on audio and visual software, techniques, installations and performance to grow alongside the Electrical and Electronic tradition of the group. This meeting of technology and art provides the group a mix of audio/visual technology practice and research coupled with an engineering underpinning. To view the wide breadth of areas covered by the group, see the projects page.
The research group's activities drive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning, resulting in innovative course materials and contributing to maintaining academic standards in the Electronics and Sound subject area. Programmes that have direct input from SPARG members include:
- MA Music Production
- MSc Control and Instrumentation
- BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology
- BSc (Hons) Music Technology and Audio System Design
- BSc (Hons) Music Technology and Production
- BSc (Hons) Multimedia Technology and Music Production
- BA (Hons) Popular Music and Music Technology
SPARG enjoys a good relationship with industry, in consultancy and specialist research and development; several graduates have subsequently taken up positions with industrial partners. We also work with artists and digital media, applying signal processing to produce novel solutions and site-specific installations.
SPARG has acknowledged expertise in the following areas:
- Audio DSP algorithm development
- Embedded systems (fast and frugal digital decision making)
- Electrical power systems
- Spatial audio - capture, synthesis, manipulation and transmission of spatial sound
- Psychoacoustics and spatial perception in artificial environments
- Multimodal spatial information display
- Perceptual testing and signal processing
- Digital music technology and spatial music
- Experimental recording techniques
- Multi-speaker live installations
- Music composition and production
