In a university with more than 650 student organizations, even students interested in audio can find a place to belong. The Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers group provides students with the opportunity to experiment with working on audio projects, like color organs and six-sided speakers.
“Our group’s main goal is to provide an environment for students to learn more about the science side of audio and audio design,” said electrical engineering senior and Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers President Philip Beard.
Beard said the group previously has designed molded earphones that allow for the expansion of the ear canal so any background noises would be blocked.
Beard also said the group is working on applying for a funding grant from ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, to be able to work on speakers capable of emitting sparks according to the notes played. It would cost around $4,000.
Domonique Clemons, ASMSU vice president for student funding, said the limit for student group grants are $4,500. After submitting the application, the group will have to present in front of a funding board comprised of 15 to 16 students who will vote on the matter.
Any student with an interest in audio can join the group, Beard said. Students are provided material and space to work on projects in their free time.
Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers members recently worked on a six-sided subwoofer speaker based on a research paper about passive and active speakers published by the Audio Engineer Society.
Beard explained passive speakers usually need to be connected to amplifiers. By combining passive and active speakers, the active speakers reflect the sound on the passive speakers, leading to an expansion of the inner volume of the subwoofer and an amplified sound.
Not only does the group work on designing and ?creating speakers and instruments, but they also have collaborated with MSU’s Impact 89FM to mix music for the recording session of the Lansing-based band Lights and Caves.
“We are doing a lot more live recording with bands, and we only have one person who can mix music in pre-production,” said Colin Marshall, Impact 89FM video director. He said this is why he decided to reach out to Beard for help.
Beard said the goal is to have a group dedicated to ?mixing music to keep collaborating with the radio station.
Beard said Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers hosted a concert three years ago, where the group brought in a ?Michigan-based band to perform in Munn Ice Arena. The group is planning to host a Lansing-based band in ?another concert this semester.
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