Music 220b | winter 2019
Compositional Algorithms, Psychoacoustics, and Computational Music
Ge Wang and Noah Fram (TA)

lectures | assignments | portfolios

class: MW 3:30-5:20pm
location: CCRMA classroom (the Knoll)
required textbook: Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime
prerequisite: 220a - or by instructor's permission.

course summary:

This is the second course in the 220 series. It investigates computer-mediated composition, advanced sound synthesis techniques, as well as the aesthetics of computer-mediated music composition, and as they relate to psychoacoustics, and spatial processing. The course uses the ChucK programming language for assignments and projects. The format consists of in-class discussions and lectures, individual and group assignments, studio critiques, and a final project.

synthesis / analysis topics:
  • subtractive synthesis, filters
  • modulation / AM / FM synthesis / waveshaping
  • timbre, sculpting, perception
  • granular synthesis / FOF's / phism
  • FFT / audio analysis / UAna in ChucK / resynthesis / event detection
  • formant-based synthesis
  • learning to program these via ChucK
computer music + compositional algorithms topics:
  • tools and techniques for creating computational music
  • approaches for computer-mediated composition
  • algorithmic sonification
  • aesthetics of computer-mediated composition and performance
assignments:
  • homework #0: ChucKu's + Sound Logos
    due date: 2019.1.15, Tuesday, 11:59:59pm
    • in-class listening: 2019.1.16, Wednesday

  • homework #1: Homebrew
    milestone: 2019.1.23, Wednesday, in-class
    due date: 2019.1.27, Sunday, 11:59:59pm
    • presentation (in-class): 2019.1.28, Monday
    real-time feedback!

  • homework #2: Generative Drum Machine + Soundscape
    milestone: 2019.2.6, Wednesday, in-class (FEEDBACK)
    due date: 2019.2.12, Tuesday, 11:59:59pm
    listening: 2019.2.13, Wednesday in-class
    • real-time feedback!

  • homework #3: Granular
    milestone: 2019.2.20, Wednesday, in-class (FEEDBACK)
    due date: 2018.2.26, Tuesday, 11:59:59pm
    • realtime feedback

  • final project: Computer-mediated, Audio-visual(-HAI), Composition / Live Performance
    due dates:
    • milestone 0 (in-class, Monday, 3/4/2019 in-class)
      initial ideas, two sketches of vision, sound, music, interaction, aesthetics, music technology involved
    • milestone 1 (in-class, Wednesday, 3/6/2019 in-class)
      initial working idea, with sound, visual, and core aesthetic loop
      real-time feedback
    • milestone 2 (in-class, Wednesday, 3/13/2019 in-class)
      essential working system; the main aesthetic and artistic loop closed!
      real-time feedback
    • portfolio + deliverables (Wednesday, 3/20/2019, 11:59:59pm)
      all documentation/program notes/code/etc
    • final performance: 2018.3.21, Thursday, noon, CCRMA Stage

CCRMA | Music Department | Stanford University