| Core
Music Technology Courses
Computer Sound Synthesis 1
Fundamentals of digital signals, sound synthesis software, tone generation, timbre
of musical instruments, modulation, sampling and granular synthesis. Lecture,
readings and programming assignments. Taught in SuperCollider and previously
taught in Max/Msp. Syllabus & more.
Computer Sound Synthesis 2
Fundamentals of digital filters, delay-line filters, effects processing, spatialization,
reverberation, dynamic range processing and physical modeling synthesis. Lecture,
readings and programming assignments. Taught in SuperCollider and previously
taught in Max/Msp. Syllabus & more.
Advanced Audio Signal Processing
Techniques of digital audio processing with an emphasis on FFT-based techniques
such as fast convolution, spectral filtering, pitch-shifting, perceptual coding,
time-stretching and excitation/resonance modeling. Lecture, readings and programming
assignments. Syllabus. Readings.
Programming
Object-oriented music programming. Topics include code development, music-specific
classes, and GUI design. Lecture with assignments of programming projects
leading to the final project of a simple music application. Taught
in SuperCollider and previously taught in Java. Syllabus & more.
3-D Sound and Spatial Audio
Techniques and applications of 3-D sound and spatial audio. Topics included
the physical acoustics and psychoacoustics of spatial hearing, simulating
3-D cues, stereo sound reproduction, multichannel reproduction including
5.1, environmental acoustics and simulation. Lecture, readings and projects. Syllabus & more.
History and Analysis of Electroacoustic Music
From the musique concrète and electronic music of the 1950’s
through today’s acousmatic and computer music. Topics included
the historical evolution of synthesis techniques, sound objects, spectral
morphology, the acoustic soundscape, the representation of electroacoustic
music, and
perception-based analysis. Lecture, readings and essay assignments. Syllabus. Readings.
Composing
with Computers
Workshop in the creation of sound compositions using a music/audio programming
language. These compositions focus the student on techniques of algorithmic
composition, real-time interaction, and sound synthesis. Students present their
work and participate in critiques. Taught in SuperCollider and previously
taught in Max/Msp.
Selected Topics in Music Technology
Topics I have taught include:
" Sound Design for Installations. Workshop in the creation
of sound compositions intended for presentation in dedicated spaces
through which
the listeners
come and go. Assignments focus on techniques for transforming natural
sound sources, non-linear temporal design , and the use of three-dimensional
space using an eight-channel sound system.
" Writing VST Plug-Ins. Survey of advanced audio signal-processing
techniques through the process of writing audio plug-ins for professional
audio software.
Each student writes a series of plug-ins that implement standard
audio algorithms.
Physics of Sound
Principles of physical acoustics. Acoustics of musical instruments, the
human voice, and concert halls. Fundamentals of psychoacoustics. Lecture,
readings and writing assignments.
Interdisciplinary Arts Courses - Team
Taught
Projects in Art and Technology
Workshop for team-based production of art and technology projects. Guest
artists present their own work and provide guidance to the student teams.
Class critiques. Team taught with three faculty (Computer Science, RTVF
and Music).
Topics in Art and Technology
Interdisciplinary exploration of topics central to arts and technology.
Each topic is associated with exemplar works. Topics include authenticity,
appropriation, technology and nature, AI, telepresence and VR. Lecture
with reading assignments, class discussion and student essays. Team taught
with two faculty members (RTVF and Music).
Animate Arts 2
Second basic course in the Animate Arts curriculum. Around the central
theme of perception and time, the topics include: visual montage, timbre
and pitch space, narrative sequence, space-as-time graphic narrative,
imperative and object-oriented programming. Lecture with four student
projects and
class participation in critiques. Team taught with four faculty members
(Computer Science, Art, RTVF and Music).
Music Theory Courses
Schenkerian Analysis
Survey and critical examination of Heinrich Schenker's theories
of musical structure and his analyses of musical works. Topics
include
the elements
of the tonal system, Schenker’s theories of compositional
practice and theories of form. Students also apply Schenkerian
analysis techniques
to short compositions. Lecture, readings and writing and analysis
assignments.
Perception
Survey of the literature and methods of research in the perception of
musical sound. Topics include timbre of musical instruments, the singing
voice,
the acoustic environment, auditory physiology, fundamentals of psychophysics,
pitch and auditory streaming. Lecture, readings and writing assignments.
Information Technology Courses - Team Taught
Multimedia Technologies (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Fundamentals of multimedia signals (text, graphics, video, speech, music
and audio) and overview of multimedia compression algorithms and standards.
Emerging techniques and standards. MPEG-4 and MPEG-7. Team taught with
two faculty members (ECE and Music).
General Music Courses
The Beatles: an Interdisciplinary Mystery Tour
Examination of The Beatles from multiple perspectives. Topics include
Beatlemania and the women's movement, the impact of technology
on the recording studio,
the summer of love, Beatles and the avant garde, The Beatles as
pop icons, meanings of "love" in popular culture, John and Yoko, Apple
Records, "hidden
messages" and the supposed death of Paul McCartney. Lecture,
readings and writing assignments. Beatles
Class Web Page. The Beatles
course is the most requested course in the history of Northwestern University.
Advanced Studies in the Beatles
Seminar in analysis of Beatles’ music.
Spiritual Sound
Exploration of making music in the context of spirituality. Class members
expected to be able to perform instrumentally or vocally. Activities
include meditative and intoning exercises drawn from different spiritual
traditions.
Students from all spiritual traditions welcomed.
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