220b-winter-2008/hw1

Homework #1: Timbre-scapes

Due date: 2008.1.30 11:59:59pm (or thereabout), Wednesday.

Reading

• Real-Sound-Synthesis:
  • chapter 3
  • sections 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2
  • chapter 10

Specification (part 1 of 3): Crafting Timbre's with FM

• using FM synthesis in ChucK, create the following:
  • 3 different "static" timbres
    • building blocks: oscillators, filters, etc.
    • experiment with various parameters such as carrier frequency, modulator frequency, index of modulation, etc.
  • 3 time-varying timbres
    • building blocks: oscillators, filters, time-based control code
    • can be a "drone" (but doesn't have to be)
    • the time-varying process(s) should be somehow coupled to one or more of the FM/filter parameters
  • next, take a timbre from above, and apply an ADSR envelope to "carve" out an attack, decay, sustain, and release
    • test this by making some bleeps and bloops

Specification (part 3 of 3): Brainstormin'

• without writing any code, imagine and think through how you might map a cellular automata to:
  • create/help create a piece of music
  • control timbre
• no right/wrong answers - but try to think it through
• convey what you come up with in word, diagrams, etc.

Note

• Have fun with it!!!

Deliverables

turn in all files by putting them in your Library/Web/220b/hw1/ directory, and then linking to them from your Library/Web/220b/hw1.html

• 1)
• 4) a short README text (readme.txt) file that:
  • conveys your ideas/comments in constructing each program
  • contains instructions on running your programs
  • describes any difficulties you encountered in the process