Undergraduate Course: Real-time Computer Systems for Music (MUSI10063)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Part-year visiting students only |
| 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 | Functioning as the students' main introduction to the Max/MSP real-time computer music environment, this course will provide a detailed overview of the capabilities and potential of this system as well as insights into effective real-time music programming in general. Apart from learning the skills and gaining the basic knowledge necessary to work effectively with Max/MSP, the students will be encouraged to think creatively and solve the problems inherent in realising a musical project from the very inkling of an idea right through to its implementation and performance. In particular, an approach of problem analysis, division into modules, and eventual solution will be encouraged that results in good programming practice.
In addition, classic and current synthesis and signal processing algorithms will be introduced along with methods to implement and combine them. Always taking a practical approach, the aims of the course will lead to the students' harnessing of the various technologies in a well planned, coordinated, and executed performance environment.
Seminars develop the contextual and aesthetic background to computer music and take the form of discussion of set reading and listening. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
2 hour(s) per week for 5 week(s). Weekly lectures and tutorials. |
| Course Start Date |
16/09/2013 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
154 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
85 %,
Practical Exam
15 %
|
| No Exam Information |
|
| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
2 hour(s) per week for 5 week(s). Weekly lectures and tutorials. |
| Course Start Date |
16/09/2013 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
164 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
* Proficiency in programming within the Max/MSP environment
* An overview of some of the synthesis and signal processing procedures that may be applied in real time
* An ability to turn performance goals into well-structured, functioning performance programmes
* A practical insight into interface design and how best to efficiently interact with the computer during performance
* An awareness of the way in which computer music technology works at a basic level and how best to work with it
* Insight into the history, theory, repertoire, and aesthetics of computer music. |
Assessment Information
Two projects will be submitted, each 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 fairly specific Max/MSP programming brief determined by the course organiser and involving real-time synthesis and/or signal programming. Due Monday 29 October 2012.
Project 2 (50%): a project determined by the students' own interests but relating to the subject matter of the course and agreed with the course organiser in advance. The project should be distinct from and clearly more ambitious and substantial than Project 1; it should result in a short performance using a Max/MSP programme of the students' own design. Due 12th December 2012.
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.
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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 | Computer Music; Real-Time; Max/MSP; Interactive 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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