Course

Immersive Audio for Games II

Faculty
Language, Literature and Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course code
MUSC 4272
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Building on MUSC 3272, this course continues the journey into game audio implementation using Unreal Engine and industry standard audio middleware (such as FMod or Wwise). This course explores more advanced topics in game audio such as spatial audio, working with audio in extended realities (AR/VR/XR), dynamic music in games, game audio mixing and interactive audio programming using MetaSounds. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of advanced game audio techniques and tools using both in-engine tools and industry standard audio middleware. The course concludes with the production of a professional demo-reel so students can market their skills to potential clients and studios.
Course content
  1. Working with extended reality technologies (AR/VR/XR) 
  2. Spatial audio in Unreal Engine 
  3. Game audio programming using MetaSounds 
  4. The role of middleware in the games industry 
  5. Major topics in audio middleware including events, game syncs, sound banks, switches, states and profiling 
  6. Theoretical perspective on dynamic music in games 
  7. Dynamic music systems in audio middleware 
  8. Game audio mixing concepts including bus structure, routing, dynamics control, sidechaining, and hierarchy 
Learning activities

Lectures, demonstrations and hands-on studio experience

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An example evaluation scheme is provided below:

Collaborative project

15%

In-class lab assignments (minimum of two)

20%

Implementation projects (minimum of two)

40%

Final demo reel project

15%

Attendance and Participation

10%

 TOTAL

100%

Students' record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course may form part of the student’s graded performance. When this is the case, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply key concepts for audio in virtual and mixed reality contexts;
  2. Implement interactive audio and dynamic music systems using audio middleware; 
  3. Analyze the role and use of audio middleware in the games industry, including its advantages and disadvantages;
  4. Analyze how video game audio is mixed, from the overall bus structure to dynamics control, broadcast specifications and creation of the game's feel through audio hierarchy; 
  5. Develop interpersonal and collaborative skills through group and collaborative projects. 
Textbook materials

All materials required to complete the course are provided by the instructor and available on Blackboard.

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 3272

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None 

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for MUSC 4272
Acsenda School of Management (ASM) ASM GEN 4XX (3)
Athabasca University (AU) AU MUSI 3XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO MUSC 2XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) No credit
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MUSC 4XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MUSI 357 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) No credit
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC MUSC 4XXX (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Individual Assessment

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
26
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
26
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4215
Times:
Start Time
15:30
-
End Time
18:20
Section notes

MUSC 4272 002 - This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Applied Audio Advance Certificate.