256a-fall-2017/hw3

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Homework #3: AudioVisual Music Sequencer

Sequencer-thing.jpg

NOTE from Ge: this image is here mostly for its colors, PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THIS (NECESSARILY)!

  • part A (research + on-paper design + something working) due: 2015.10.19, in-class Monday (be prepared to present)
  • part B (implementation) due: 2015.10.27 11:59:59pm, Tuesday.
  • part C (demo/mini-performance)) due: 2015.10.28, in-class Wednesday

Almost inevitably at some point in one's music software design journey, you'll be asked/tempted to make a step sequencer. In this assignment, we are going to get that off our chest/out of our system, and make a crazy, real-time, audio-visual software, driven by some type of step sequencer!


(Part 1 of 3): Research + Preliminary Design + Something Working

  • due in-class Monday (10/19)
  • do research on music sequencers!
  • compile a list of useful references on various types of step sequencers / designs (articles, papers, images, etc.)
  • sketch your own preliminary design of a real-time audio-visual step sequencer!
  • what features to include?
    • what does it look like? linear? circular? spherical? mobius?!? a game? a galaxy??
    • sequencing of pitch? dynamics (loundness)? envelopes (attack/decay/sustain/release)?
    • how many parallel tracks / layers / or different types of sound? (e.g., track 1 synth, track 2 drum etc)
    • how input the sequence (in real-time)?
    • how does it sound? will it use synthesis? load audio samples? soundfonts? MIDI?
    • can you save/load sequences? what file format? should we have a common Music256a/476a format?!
    • how to control/depict tempo?
  • sketch as much as detail as possible, even if you don't end implementing them!
  • be ready to handy in design on paper and be ready to present on Monday! (scans of these design sketches can go onto your website for this project!)
  • have something working in software, towards your core idea/aesthetics!


(Part 2 of 3): Implementation

  • due 2015.10.27 11:59:59pm, Tuesday
  • decide on a design + set of features for an real-time audio-visual step sequencer; the design decisions should account for the questions raised in part 1 above!
  • implement a working prototype of your step sequencer
  • welcome (but don't have) to use:
  • potential things to sequence:
    • pitch
    • dynamics
    • different timbre's / instruments
    • envelopes
  • "hints"
    • think of user/interaction design **and** software/system design
    • create an audio engine, as well as a graphics engine; how do they interact?
  • create a webpage for your audiovisual sequencer, which must contain:
    • one or more screenshot(s)
    • your initial design sketches + research, motivate and articulate how you made your design decisions
    • system design: how is your software architected? recommend a class diagram!
    • downloading the code
    • (for part 3: stuff from part 3 below)


(Part 3 of 3): Musical Statement + In-Class Presentation

  • due: 2015.10.28, in-class Wednesday
  • using your sequencer, create a short musical statement;
  • either make a video of you performing it, and/or a short recording (mp3)!
  • present your step sequencer and music instrument in class!


Note

  • as always, have fun with it!!! make it P.S.!!! make it SATISFYING!!!
  • comment your code!
  • choose your own coding conventions - but be consistent
  • you are welcome to work together, but you must do/turn in your own work (you'll likely get more out of it this way)


Deliverables

turn in all files by creating a new CCRMA webpage: http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~YOURID/256a/hw3/

  • 0) source code to the project (*.h, *.cpp, *.c makefile, etc.)
  • 1) screenshots of your step sequencer in action
  • 2) design sketches (scan them in if necessary)
  • 3) your musical statement!
  • 4) instructions on building the project (for example, anyone in the class should be able to download
  • 5) instructions in using your step sequencer

submit to coursework!