Undergraduate Course: Algorithmic Composition and Signal Processing (MUSI10062)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Music |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.michael-edwards.org/class |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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 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 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 will 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.
Seminars will develop the contextual and aesthetic background to computer music and take the form of discussion of set reading and listening.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | | 1,2,3,4,6,8,10 | | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | | | Central | Seminar | | 5,7,9 | | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Tuesday, 16:10 - 18:00, Zone: Central. Sound Lab, Alison House |
| Additional information |
2 hour(s) per week for 5 week(s). Weekly lectures and tutorials. |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
* An understanding and appreciation of the advantages of non real-time computer music 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
* Insight into the history, theory, repertoire, and aesthetics of computer music. |
Assessment Information
Two projects will be submitted, worth 35% and 50% respectively. Collaboration is not permitted on either project. 15% is allotted to attendance and participation in classes.
Project 1 (35%): A synthesis and/or signal processing assignment will be completed in a non-real time music programming environment. The result will be the generation of a short piece in the form of a sound file. Due Monday 21st February 2011.
Project 2 (50%): An algorithmic composition project of the student's own choosing should be realised using any environment or combination thereof presented thus far. The project should be distinct from and clearly more ambitious and substantial than Project 1. The result may be an installation, score, sound file, CD or interactive computer environment. The project must be agreed in advance with the course organiser.
Both projects should be accompanied by a short (c. 1000 word) report detailing the project goals; the methods used to realise these goals; any problems or interesting points encountered along the way (with their solutions/incorporation); an appraisal/critique of the project; and suggestions as to how, with hindsight, the project may be been improved and how it could be developed in the future. The report should be written in formal academic language, using clearly defined sections; it should correctly reference articles and musical works relevant to the subject matter and include a full bibliography. A CDROM containing the patches/programmes/sounds used, as well as a recording of the project, should also be submitted in both cases.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Algorithmic Composition; Digital Signal Processing; Computer Music |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Michael Edwards
Tel: (0131 6)50 2431
Email: Michael.Edwards@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Brad Herbert
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: brad.herbert@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:28 am
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