Non Real-Time Systems (P01183)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : ACE-P-NRTS

Flexibility and the ability to combine various approaches, integrating the
results of one system into another environment is the key to creative and
constantly developing work in this field. Experience in real-time audio
programming in Max/MSP is thus compared and contrasted here with non-real time
systems, in particular concentrating on the benefits of such and where and when
to apply these non real-time techniques.

As well as gaining experience programming in these environments (which may
include all or some of Common Lisp Music, Common Music, Common Music Notation,
Supercollider, CMusic, CSound, CMix etc.) students will be exposed to
general-purpose, text-based programming paradigms and their use in generating
compositional structure. This experience of algorithmic composition may then
be combined with synthesis/signal processing or in the generation of musical
scores. The whole is aimed at enriching the composer's compositional palette,
enabling them to assess different approaches and thus choose appropriate tools
for future projects.

Entry Requirements

? Costs : Blank CDs, tapes as required

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Music, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	11:10	13:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Weeks 2,4,6,8,10 only

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

* An understanding and appreciation of the advantages of non real-time
systems and when to use them instead of real-time environments
* An ability to contrast and compare computer music-making environments
* A practical understanding of computer programming paradigms and their
relation to and potential generation of compositional structure
* An enriched compositional palette

Assessment Information

Two projects will be submitted, one half-way through the course, the other at
the end. Each will be worth 50%. Both are to be completed on an individual
basis, i.e. no collaboration is permitted.

Project 1: A synthesis and/or signal processing assignment will be
completed in a non real-time music programming environment. The
result will be the generation within the chosen environment of a short
piece in the form of a sound file.

Project 2: An algorithmic composition project of the student's own
choosing should be realised using any environment present thus
far. The result may be an installation, score, CD, or interactive
computer environment. The project must be agreed in advance with the course organiser.