Syllabus
Description This course provides an introduction to the use of technology in music endeavors. Technology in this case is broadly defined to include the use of computers and software for both audio and audio + video. The scientific principles underlying the technology will form an important part of the course content. Audio-visual presentations will form a core part of the class, incorporating many of the facilities of the laboratory. Attendance will be monitored and required; more than one unexcused absence will result in the loss of 3% of the total grade each. Text The required text is Wagner: Introduction to Musical Acoustics (available at ASUCLA). This is actually a supplemental book, since class lectures present more state-of-the-art and detailed information. The optional text is Sound Forge Power (current edition, also at ASUCLA). Additional Resources: Hyperphysics (website): http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html Student Background No formal background in the course content areas is assumed. Note that the course is a broad sweep across many disciplines rather than a comprehensive, detailed and in-depth approach leading to advanced knowledge. In some cases, just one concept or tool easily could occupy the entire quarter in order to plumb its depths. Requirements There will be two short quizzes on technical terms and concepts and a series of projects. There will be no midterm nor final exam. The quizzes will be worth 15% each for a total of 30%. Graduate Students: The course provides an elementary introduction to elements outlined below for graduate students. Additional readings will be assigned, and projects will be expected to be of higher caliber than those of undergraduates. Chronology Module 1 (Approx. Weeks 1-3) Basic terminology and acoustical concepts: Frequency, amplitude, spectrum. Analog vs. Digital representations of sound. Psychoacoustics and how it influences decisions in using digital sound. Readings: Wagner – Introduction to Musical Acoustics: Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10. Recording to digital field recorder using SD memory storage. Transfer of data to a personal computer. Issues of microphones and equipment Project 1: 15% Record a live performance of a single performer or multiple performers. This can be done in groups of two. The performance should be no shorter than 3.5 minutes and can be as long as half an hour. The performance can take place anywhere. This project will take place during Week 3. Module 2: Digital Sound Manipulation Introduction to Sound Forge. Project 2: 10% Take the recording from Project 1 and transfer it to Sound Forge. Use Sound Forge tools to edit and prepare the recording for transfer to CD. This is an individual project. Introduction to Nero and CD Audio. Project 3: 10% Transfer the recording(s) to CD Audio Module 3: Audio and video compression Discussion of Mpeg 3 audio, Real Audio, ATRAC, and similar music audio compression techniques. Digital Video and Audio: Introduction to MPEG2 encoding/decoding and the psychophysical underpinnings of the techniques of compression. Editing. Project 4: 20% Record via camcorder or VCR a source
video file of at least 15 minutes in duration. Encode
this file to MPEG2 format. Burn a DVD-R in DVD format. Hardware: Canopus
DVD Storm Ultra II Direct to Digital Video and Mpeg2 hardware. Presentation of new formats: Divx (Mpeg 4), Digital Rights Management (DRM) and portable devices. Module 4: Musical Notation and Midi Programs Project 5: 15% Transfer a Western-notation score to the music notation program. The minimum length is ca. 32 measures. Assign General MIDI Channels for playback on the internal sound card of a PC. Use of a software synthesizer to create PCM (.wav) files from MIDI data. |