ENGL 304Designing Digital Sound
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
In this course students will be introduced to sound production and analysis. Students will learn to record, edit, and implement sound in a variety of genres and formats, with possible areas of investigation including podcasting, documentary, digital games, music, and audio art.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7469 | 0 / 3 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 8086 | 9 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it100% easy100% useful
From 4 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Very cool class with very cool assignments, practicing storytelling through sound. For example, one assignment we did was creating our own sounds for a short 2 minute video, which meant trying to mimic certain sounds like footsteps or animals. There were a few short written reflections which were easy enough if you followed along with course content and participated in class activities and peer feedback. Peer feedback was a big part of each assignment, so be ready to share your work!
Jul 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Lots of fun, very chill.
May 2019 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
9 posts and comments in 7 threads mention ENGL 304, November 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2023
Music Courses 1 point, 1 comment
u/EmotionalYesterday39: “… I'm interested in music production, and I saw 2 related courses, MUSIC275 and DAC203/ENGL304, if anyone has already taken these courses, could you share your experiences, such as what do you do in this course, is it hard? …”
Winter 2022
Watch a short film made by UW Engineers 16 points, 4 comments
“For the past 2 years now me and the crew have been working very hard on our second short film. We had our official premiere at Princess Cinemas last Sunday and are excited to share it for free with …”
u/fabulizer: “any film related courses you recommend (maybe you took some as electives)?”
u/Tester821: “ENGL 304 or DAC 203, they're the same course with a focus on sound design for films.”
Spring 2020
Engl 304 1 point, 1 comment
Anyone taken ENGL 304 (designing with digital sound)? 3 points, 3 comments
u/ProductiveStoner99: “What do you learn in this course?”
u/StellarLuma: “Currently in DAC203/ENGL304, we’ve been learning about how to listen, understanding sound (a bit of physics), tools used when working with sound, sound design, sound and meaning, & the different functions of sound. The course this term has 4 projects and no final. …”
Winter 2020
Has anybody taken ENGL 304 (Designing: Digital Sound)? Was it interesting? 5 points, 1 comment
Spring 2015
What are some good depth elective choices for a CS student? 6 points, 7 comments
u/LazyGamerATN: “… English: None taken so far, but I figure I can take 2 bird courses and then a 3rd year course, namely ENGL 304 (Designing with Digital Sound). The issue is I'm not sure how available that course is. …”
u/whiteninja04: “I did 3 ENGL courses with ENGL 304 completing the depth requirement. It's a good class, but the class size is small and I believe it's only offered in Spring. If you can work it into your schedule I'd definitely recommend it”
Fall 2014
Any courses that have to do with music production? 1 point, 9 comments
“Hi guys, I was wondering if there are any elective courses where you can learn about producing music or any useful music courses that don't involve actually playing an instrument. Thanks in advance!”
u/wafflefriends: “Music 275 - Music and Technology sounds like what you're looking for. It's only offered in the fall though. https://uwaterloo.ca/music/sites/ca.music/files/uploads/files/music275outlinef2013.pdf”
u/valryuu: “There's also ENGL 304/DAC 301 Designing with Digital Sound. "In this course, students will be introduced to sound analysis and production. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them