Did you know audio engineers play a crucial role in the design of cutting-edge handheld radios for law enforcement officers and first responders, ensuring crystal clear audio quality even in the presence of extreme background noise?
This summer, Vipul Dube, an international graduate student in the University of Miami Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music, has that unique responsibility with his internship at Motorola Solutions in Plantation, Florida.
“The communication devices they use are really essential because of the type of situations they deal with,” said Dube. “What the audio team does is ensure that whatever audio going through the microphone is being received on the other end at the highest quality possible.”
In his role, Dube creates various noise suppression algorithms to subdue all outside noises that may limit or restrain law enforcement officers or first responders from hearing important details or instructions throughout their day-to-day duties.
Dube moved to Miami to attend the University last year after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from the University of Mumbai in India. Dube said he has found a home away from home here at the U.
“I’ve met a lot of new people and made friends that I get to explore Miami with,” said Dube. “I also have grown really close to the director of the program, Christopher Bennett, who I consider my mentor.” Dube also works as Bennett’s graduate teaching assistant.
The director of the music engineering program and associate professor said that Dube is an exceptional student who demonstrates a strong commitment to his music as well as his studies. According to Bennett, Dube has a deep passion for music engineering.
“As my teaching assistant, Vipul takes on various responsibilities—including assisting with classroom instruction, providing guidance to students, conducting lab sessions, grading assignments, and offering valuable insights based on his own expertise in music engineering,” said Bennett.
Dube and Bennett encourage students who may be interested in pursuing a path in music engineering to first explore foundational concepts in audio technology and digital signal processing.
“It can be helpful to gain hands-on experience with music production software, hardware, and recording techniques,” explained Bennett.
Dube also recommends students explore beyond their horizons and meet people who align with their goals. He said that he hopes to one day turn his internship opportunity into a full-time position.
“I have a good manager, a good mentor who I’ve connected with at the company, and he has been showing me around,” said Dube. “It’s also been great meeting and interacting with other interns in the mechanical and electrical engineering departments who have similar interests.”
