Computer Music Composition

Course Description

Composition and production of recorded music using personal computers for digital signal processing and for control of synthesizers. Practical application of digital audio production software and MIDI, and investigation of new ideas in computer-aided composition.

Course Requirements

• Timely completion of short exercises in recording, production, and composition of computer music, as assigned.
• Timely completion of a final composition of computer music, as assigned.

Course Topics

• Principles of Digital Audio
• Recording Techniques
• Studio Techniques
• Digital Audio Processing
• Digital Audio Synthesis
• MIDI Software Protocol
• Operation of the Gassmann Electronic Music Studio
• Professional Sound/Music Software
• Principles of Musical Form
• Computer Music Composition Techniques
• Composing/Soundtracking for Video

Resources

The Gassmann Electronic Music Studio is a state-of-the-art Macintosh-based studio for digital recording, production, and computer music composition. It is located on the first floor of the Mesa Office Building in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts.

The Arts Media Center has four computer music workstations, each including Mac Pro computer, Mbox audio interface, MIDI synthesizer keyboard, and audio mixer. Music software includes Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Reason, Sibelius, Max/MSP, Audacity, GarageBand, and iTunes.

Some listenings for this class are available online as streamed audio files, and others will be placed on reserve at the Arts Media Center. Unlicensed duplication of digital audio files for personal use is illegal.

Communication

For additional consultation with the professor, you can make an appointment for office hours by speaking with the professor before or after class. You can also contact the professor by email.

For announcements or questions to/from your classmates, it is suggested that you use (and check regularly) the class NoteBoard.

There is a class email address, which addresses all registered students and the professor. This email is moderated by (i.e., must be approved and forwarded by) the professor, and thus should generally be used only for information that will definitely be of interest to all in the class, and that you want to be sure they receive. The NoteBoard is generally a less obtrusive way to provide information to colleagues in the class, but of course there's no way to know exactly when and by whom a NoteBoard post will be read.

Assignments are posted online for the next class session.

Final Exam

March 19, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m., Music and Media 216.

Regarding Academic Integrity:

Collaboration between students in this course is strongly encouraged. Students are urged to exchange ideas, opinions, and information constantly, and to help each other with the composition of their technical/creative projects. However, plagiarism of any kind is in direct violation of University policy on Academic Honesty, and penalties for plagiarism can be severe. In this class you will be expected to attribute due credit to the originator of any ideas, words, or music that you incorporate into your own work.