Basic concepts and techniques of computer-based music research, composition, and performance. Essentials of digital audio signal processing, musical acoustics and psychoacoustics, sound analysis and synthesis, musical databases, use of MIDI, computer programming for music, and computer-aided music analysis. Works from the computer music repertoire will be examined.

Syllabus Music158

Instructor: Prof. Edmund Campion

GSI (Lab Instructor) Daniel Cullen

Place: Microcomputer facility, 212 Wheeler Hall

Time: Lab, Tuesday and Thursday 1-2:30 p.m.

Lecture, Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-4 p.m.

Requirements: one thumb drive at least 1 gig storage capacity

Course Description: Basic concepts and techniques of computer-based musical research, composition, and performance. Essentials of digital audio signal processing, musical acoustics and psychoacoustics, sound analysis and synthesis. Works from the computer music repertoire will be examined.

The course will be taught using the MAX/MSP object oriented programming environment. MAX/MSP is a combined control/signal processing software package that runs on the Macintosh and Windows platforms. The program is installed on thiry-five workstations in the Microcomputing Facility in Wheeler Hall. In addition to MAX/MSP, a number of other programs designed for editing and manipulating soundfiles will be covered.

Though not required, it is highly recommended that interested students purchase their own versions of the MAX and MSP software. Students can purchase a nine month Max/MSP/Jitter license for $59. (cycling74.com)

The learning curve associated with MAX/MSP is steep.

The focus of Music158 will be on using the MAX/MSP environment for creating music. There will be bi-weekly lab assignments as well as an expanded final project.

Music 158 students that demonstrate a high level of programming skills will be allowed to move into a special MU158R&D group following the mid-term. People qualifying for MU158R&D will finish out the semester developing MAX/MSP applications involving advanced signal processing.

The web site is accessible to UC students and faculty on or off campus.

SYLLABUS

The planning listed below is subject to change.

http://cnmat.Berkeley.edu/ [1]

MUSIC158 INTRODUCTION (January 22 and 24)

Course set-up and introduction.

Computer music overview with examples from the repertoire.

MAX/MSP overview. A complete tour of the program.

UNIT I ELEMENTARY MAX PROGRAMMING (Jan. 29, 31, Feb. 5, 7)

Basic Max. How to learn Max.

Some perspectives on composing music with Max. Control and timing in Max.

Translating a musical idea into a Max application. Data storage and retrieval.

Documenting and troubleshooting the patch.

UNIT II MAX and MIDI (Feb. 12,14,19 21)

A musical project with Max from beginning to end. The Focus will be on increasingly sophisticated control of the internal General Midi Synth available on most computers.

UNIT III AN INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL PROCESSING AND MSP (Feb. 26, 28, Mar. 4, 6)

MSP and the basics of signal processing

Synthesis: concepts and practice. Additive Synthesis with MSP.

UNIT IV SOUND FILES and FILTERING (Mar. 11, 13, 18, 20)

Working with samples in MSP.

Defining and Using Filters in MSP

SPRING BREAK (MARCH 24-29)

Semester review and catch up (April 1, 3)

UNIT V: THE CNMAT SPECTRAL TUTORIALS (April 8, 10, 15, 17)

THE FINAL PROJECT (April 22, 24, 29, May 1, 6, 8)

Students will meet individually with Professor Campion to propose and define their final project.

Students will have several weeks to be involved in creating a final project. This project can either be a piece of music or a special application conceived for the Max/MSP environment. In the final project, the student will be free (subject to the approval the instructor) to pursue their particular interests in computer music.

Music 158 end of semester concert and class presentation. Final Presentations will take place in the main room at the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies (1750 Arch Street) at the scheduled time of the final exam.

Grading Policy:

Class/lecture participation: 20%
The class participation grade is based primarily on attendance.

Lab participation: 20%
the lab participation grade is based on attendance and regular lab quizzes

UNIT 1 assignment 8 %
UNIT 2 assignment 8 %
UNIT3 assignment 8 %
UNIT 4 assignment 8 %
UNIT 2 assignment 8 %

FINAL PROJECT 20%