Electronic Music I: Composing with Sound (MUSI 268/368) Spring 2017 Monday and Wednesday, 1:30-2:50, Goodspeed 210

Instructor: Sam Pluta ([email protected]) Office Hours: 12 to 1 on Wednesdays or by appointment, Goodspeed Hall 201 Course Assistant: Igor Santos ([email protected]) Office Hours: Monday, 12:30 to 1:20, Goodspeed Hall 210

Course Topics: Electronic Music II is an introduction to computer-based sound art and live electronic music performance. Our primary tool for this course will be SuperCollider, a computer music programming language designed for composition and real-time music applications. Through this language we will explore the foundations of computer music, including digital instrument design, sequencing, live processing, sound diffusion, and various approaches to algorithmic music generation. We will also come to a greater understanding of the physics of sound and its acoustic and psychoacoustic properties. Assignments: For each class there will a reading and video assignment on Canvas. There will often be a short, focused programming assignment that you will turn in online. There will be a number of more substantial assignments where you will be expected to take creative liberties and express yourself through code and sound. In a class that is about art, there is no way that I can grade you on how correct things are. Music has no right or wrong answers. I simply ask that you dedicate yourself to this work, and push yourself both technically and aesthetically. Materials: SuperCollider – SC is a free and open-source object-oriented programming language. It runs on Linux, Mac, and PC, so there are really no excuses for not finishing your work. SuperCollider is available at supercollider.github.io. Video tutorials – As we go, I will be making video tutorials that I will expect you to watch before each class. This will allow for more discussion in class and less lecturing. Books: Both of the books required for class are available in digital copies through the library. I will always point you to the digital version, so there is no need to purchase these, unless you really want them. They are both outstanding references. The Computer Music Tutorial The SuperCollider Book Equipment: All equipment necessary for the class will either be in the CHIME Studio or at the Logan Media Center. We have a bunch of controllers, and we will be using them! Goals of the Course: To teach the fundamentals of computer music programming, acoustics, and psychoacoustics through the computer programing language SuperCollider. Statement on Disabilities It is the responsibility of students with disabilities or personal circumstances that might negatively affect their academic performance to inform the instructor as early in the term as possible. Without timely prior notification, it may be difficult or impossible to adjust the due dates of assignments, to reschedule examinations or to make other reasonable accommodations. For further information on University policies regarding disabilities, contact the office of the Dean of Students or consult the Disabilities Services web page: http:// disabilities.uchicago.edu Grading: 20% Attendance, Participation, and Short Assignments 60% Larger Assignments 20% Final Project

Class Schedule

Discussions will not be limited solely to the subjects at hand. You will accumulate techniques as the quarter progresses, and each technique will build upon the last. Please arrive to each class having watched, listened to, and read the relevant materials as they have been assigned on Canvas. Introduction 3/27 (M): Possibilities of SuperCollider 3/29 (W): Oscillators, Lines, Envelopes, Additive Synthesis, and MIDI Project: Making Percussive Sounds (we will use these later) 4/3 (M): Complex Synthesis Techniques: Frequency, Amplitude, and Ring Modulation and Filters Noise Generators 4/5 (W): Arguments and Variables and Functions Open Sound Control and interfacing with iOS or Android through Lemur Project: Create and interactive instrument using synthesis techniques and Lemur 4/10 (M): No Class – make-up on Friday 4/12 (W): Share Projects – Duo and trio performances in class 4/14 (F): Make-up Class - Introduction to Arrays and more on Functions 4/17 (M): Patterns, Routines, Control Stuctures, and Loops 4/19 (W): More Patterns Project: Sequencing Drums and Synths 4/24 (M): Share our Sequencing Projects Recording and Playing back from Buffers 4/26 (W): Recording and Playing back from Buffers Part II and Granular Synthesis Project: Make A Sampler or other Instrument that uses Buffers 5/1 (M): Intro to Effects Programming: Delays and Reverbs Using Routines to create constantly changing effects 5/3 (W): Pitch Shifting, Distortion, and more effects techniques 5/8 (M): Graphical User Interfaces 5/10 (W): More Graphical User Interfaces 5/15 (M): Music Information Retrieval 5/17 (W): More Music Information Retrieval 5/22 (M): No Class – Make-up Friday 5/24 (W): Applications of the Fast Fourier Transform 5/26 (F): More Applications of the Fast Fourier Transform 5/31 (M): Writing Classes 6/7 (W): Final is Due IN CLASS (normal class time – 1:30)