Music 439/739: Introduction to Computer Music

MUSIC 439/739
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS IN MUSIC

COURSE OVERVIEW

MUSI 439/ MUSI 739, Introduction to Computers in Music (3 credits)
Maximum Enrollment 20

Monday and Wednesday, 2:00-3:15 Rm. B012 Old Cabell Hall

Instructor: Matthew Burtner - mburtner@virginia.edu
office hours: Tuesday 1-3pm, OCH 201

TA: Andrew Glick - ajg4d@virginia.edu
office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1-2pm, Music Library computers

Prerequisite: Ability to read music and permission of instructor. Music 439/739 is an introductory course in music technology. Students gain theoretical, practical and historical knowledge of electronic and computer music. An emphasis is placed on creative hands-on experience composing computer music. Theory topics include introductions to acoustics, digital audio, electricity and circuit design for musicians, recording techniques, and MIDI programming. Hands-on work will involve sound editing and digital signal processing, building working audio circuits, multitrack sound mixing, and MIDI synthesizer programming.This is primarily a composition course and assignments will be creative in nature. Short quizes will be given on material covered in class.

Texts: Rothstein MIDI: A Comprehensive Introduction (in the bookstore)

Required materials: 1 Digital Audio Tape (DAT).

Lab (no credit): dates and times TBA (you must register for the lab as well as the course)

Equipment Resources: computers, synthesizers, DAT machines, manuals, etc are located in the Music Library.

REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

- Attendance and Participation %20 (includes attendance of the Technosonics II computer music concert on November 8, and the presentations by our guest composers, James Mobberly on November 9, and Barry Truax on November 30)
- Assignments %20
- Quizes %20
- Final Project %40 (including an in-class presentation and submitted documentation)

SYLLABUS

Part 1

Subject:
* Introduction to Acoustics
* Digital Audio and Sound Synthesis
* History and literature of early electronic music
* Soundfile editing in Peak

Assignment 1 - "Anamorphose" : In the late 1940s when Pierre Schaeffer began working with Musique Concrete, he observed the radical transformation of a prerecorded signal's nature due to simple manipulations of the sound captured on tape. He called this acoustic transformation an "anamorphosis". Like many of Schaeffer's early works this creative project will use only one layer of material. Find a short sample of music from your CD collection, chosen for its acoustic character. Rip the sound onto the computer and create a new piece by using playlists in Peak. The composition should be short (30" - 2'). Choose the sample carefully and be prepared to talk about why you chose it.

Quiz 1: acoustics

Part 2

Subject:
* Introduction to electricity and audio circuit design
* Introduction to Recording engineering
* History and literature of early computer music
* Multitrack editing in Digital Performer

Assignment 2 - (in two parts)

1) "Transducing the Environment": We will build microphones from scratch in class and learn basic sound recording techniques. For this assignment, first find a sound in the UVA environment that is of interest to you. Feel free to bring your own sound into the environment or record your instrument, voice, etc. Again, think carefully about what sound you choose and be prepared to talk about it. (it may help to think about the next assignment before beginning). Using the VCCM DAT machine on reserve in the library, record your sound and transfer it to the computer using Digital Performer or Peak.

2) "Clouds of Sound" : import your sound into Digital Performer and create a short multi-track composition. Using the techniques we discuss in class of multi-track editing, limit the residual sounds of the digital audio (clicks, clipping, etc) - these aren't necessarily bad but they are not allowed in this assignment because first we need to gain a mastery of multitrack editing. Be creative and feel free to explore any of Digital Performer's signal processing techniques.

Quiz 2: digital audio

Part 3

Subject:
* Introduction to MIDI
* MIDI sequencing in Digital Performer
* History and literature of computer music since 1980

Assignment 3- "Computer Rhythms ": create a short mixed-meter and/or polyrhythmic composition by building a MIDI sequence in Performer. Play the sequence through one of the Korg patches or drum kits. Experiment with the graphic and notation-based editing options in Performer. Try to explore an idiomatic use of the computer as a rhythmic instrument. Be prepared to talk about your rhythm - what, why, how.

Quiz 3: MIDI

Part 4

Subject:
* Introduction to sound synthesis
* Concentration will be on preparing the final project. During this section we will go into special areas of class interest as needed and discuss the development of the final project compositions.

Final Project

"Create": Compose an original musical composition using the tools and ideas we have discussed in class. The piece does not need to be long (2-5' is fine) but it should be well made. A personal approach to the tools explored is encouraged. Try to bring your previous musical sensibilities to the computer medium. There are no "wrong" aesthetics but you should question all musical assumptions (especially style-based) and try to personalize your approach to the composition. The main goal is to make good music, something you might like to program on a concert in the recital hall. This project could an expansion and integration of the previous assignments.