Music 220b | winter 2008
Compositional Algorithms, Psychoacoustics, and Spatial Processing
Ge Wang, with Mauricio Rodriguez (TA) and Gautham J. Mysore (TA)


class wiki | listenings | assignments | hw-factory | final projects

class: T+Th 10-11:30am
location: CCRMA classroom (the Knoll)
textbook: (required) Real Sound Synthesis for Interactive Applications, by P. R. Cook
prerequisite: 220a - or by instructor's permission.

course summary:

This is the second course in the 220 series. It investigates algorithmic composition, more advanced sound synthesis techniques, as well as audio analysis, some psychoacoustics, and spatialization. Additionally, we will explore computer-mediated performance as well as issues of aethestics in computer music. The course uses the ChucK programming language for assignments and projects. The format consists of in-class discussions and lectures, individual and group assignments, a final project, as well as an experimental live performance component (utilizing the material presented in class).

synthesis / analysis topics:
  • modulation / AM / FM synthesis / waveshaping
  • timbre, sculpting, perception
  • bread-n-butter synthesis techniques (part two!)
  • FFT / audio analysis / UAna in ChucK / resynthesis / event detection
  • formant-based synthesis
  • granular synthesis / FOF's / phism
  • learning to program these via ChucK
computing + algorithmic composition topics:
  • computing, what it can + can't do / computing in the service of music
  • understanding underlying mechanism in computer music software
  • algorithmic sonification
  • cellular automata / genetic algorithms / state-machines
  • fractals / grammars / L-systems
  • rule-based, constraint-based systems
  • agent-based, particle systems / swarm
  • "why?"
assignments: