2015 ASEE Southeast Section Conference © American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 Audio Signal Processing Studio Remote Lab for Signals and Systems Class Hai Ho and Florian Misoc Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Abstract In this paper, an innovative approach to teach audio signal processing is presented, and the associated lab apparatus is described. This method has the feel of real-time hardware lab, with the added benefit of enabling online learning. Usually, the traditional labs for Signals and Systems courses consist of MATLAB or Labview batch simulation exercises. While this approach is essential, it doesn’t achieve the experience of watching signals and spectrum floating in real-time on the oscilloscope’s screen. The proposed approach is based on building an audio signal processing studio using Simulink (laptop) with external input from sources such as microphone, electric guitar, and a digital music files. The course includes a large section covering audio signal characteristics, special effects such as reverberation, distortion and flanger, and noise filtering. It enables distance learning because the only required lab hardware is the computer system and software. Keywords Signals and systems, remote lab, audio signal processing, sound effects I. Introduction Audio signal processing applications are ubiquitous as they are found in consumer products at work, home, and on-the-go, such as, smart phones, tablets, home and car entertainment systems, head phones with active noise cancellation, speakers, gaming, and various human interface (HMI) devices. The recent AES (Audio Engineering Society) trend report 1 stated that signal processing applications in audio systems have grown enormously in recent years. The consumer and professional marketplace have been driving demands for higher audio quality, especially with more consumer-ready DSP hardware available. Some examples of audio related products are home and car entertainment systems, MP3 players, smart phones, head phones, and musical instruments. These trends motivate more focus on teaching the subject of audio signal processing in undergraduate classes such as Signals and Systems. Here, some of the fundamental voice and music audio processing concepts such as delay, reverb, distortion, flanging, filter, and equalization can be taught. Furthermore, a set of laboratories can be accommodated to make the learning experience meaningful. In the Engineering Technology curriculum, most technical courses are taught with both lecture and hands-on lab components.