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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Music

Undergraduate Course: Real-time Computer Systems for Music (MUSI10063)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryFunctioning 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.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Listening and Musicianship 2 (MUSI08052) AND Music 2D: Theory and Practice of Music Technology (MUSI08053)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs A good quality pair of headphones would be advantageous.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have (or be predicated to obtain) at least 3 Music courses at grade B or above (we will only consider University/College level courses), and the equivalent skills as examined in Listening & Musicianship 2 (MUSI08052) and Music 2D: Theory & Practice of Music Technology (MUSI08053). Visiting students should contact the Course Organiser before enrolling on the course.

High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1.Project 1: 35%
2.Project 2: 50%.
3.Presentation and seminar notes: 15%

Project 1 (35%): a fairly specific Max/MSP programming brief determined by the course organiser and involving real-time synthesis and/or signal programming.

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.

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.

Collaboration is not permitted on either project.
Feedback Written feedback will be provided via the electronic submission system. Students will be notified by class email lists once the provisional mark and feedback are available to view.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Proficiency in real-time computer music programming within the Max/MSP environment
  2. An overview of a range of synthesis and signal processing procedures that may be applied in real time
  3. An ability to turn performance goals into well-structured, reliable and functional performance software
  4. An awareness of the way in which computer music technology works at a basic level and how best to work with such systems
  5. Insight into the history, theory, repertoire, and aesthetics of computer music
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Course URL http://www.michael-edwards.org/class
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Lecture: Weeks 1-11.
Tutorial: Weeks 2,4,6,8,10.
KeywordsComputer Music; Real-Time; Max/MSP; Interactive Music
Contacts
Course organiserMr Owen Green
Tel:
Email: Owen.Green@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Annabelle Evans
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: Annabelle.Evans@ed.ac.uk
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