Syllabus Music158

 

Instructor: Prof. Edmund Campion (campion@cnmat.berkeley.edu)

 

 

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 Music 158 web site

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

SYLLABUS

The planning listed below is subject to change.

Links to all Music158 web pages can found on the CNMAT home page at:

http://cnmat.Berkeley.edu/

MUSIC158 INTRODUCTION

Course set-up and introduction.

Computer music overview with examples from the repertoire.

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

 

SECTION I ELEMENTARY MAX PROGRAMMING

 

Max and Midi. 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.

The use of abstractions. Documenting the patch.

SECTION II AN INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL PROCESSING AND MSP

MSP and the basics of signal processing

Synthesis: concepts and practice. Additive Synthesis with MSP.

SECTION III SOUND FILES AND SOUND DESIGN

Working with samples in MSP.

Section IV FILTERS

Defining and Using Filters in MSP

Section V Effects

Delay: chorus, flanging, echo, looping and a bit about reverb.

Cross synthesis, Convolution, Time stretching, pitch shifting, granular synthesis and a bit about physical modeling

 

 

SECTION VI FINAL PROJECT

 

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: Class presentation of final projects. Final Presentations will take place in the main room at the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies (1750 Arch Street)