SFAI_ FALL'06 * DT-202-1

CLASS TOPICS

(the scheduling of these various topics will be established as we move along, based on class' interests and progress - we may not cover all... don't hold me accountable!!)

MAX-MSP

• Intro to Max & Max-MSP : the palette, control signals vs. audio signals, building a patch
• Building a simple Sampler
• Various digital synthesis: AM, FM, Additive synthesis
• Abstractions: bpatcher, poly~, etc.
• Plugins, making pluggos
• Performing with Max-MSP

ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY

• Understanding the basic components (switches, resistors, capacitors....)
• Using a breadboard: schematics vs. actual circuits
• Building audio circuits
• Learning to solder

DIY - HACKING

• Taking apart a sound toy
• Using game controllers and Keyboards
• Lo-tech jamming
• Understanding relays

An introduction to INTERFACES: analog to digital & Digital to Analog

• Making Things modules
• Steim's Junxion
• Game controllers thru HI object

An introduction to SENSORS: a survey of available sensors, how to hook them up, how to control a Max patch

THEORY & HISTORY

• Digital Audio: basics
• Physics of Hearing
• A brief History of Electronic music and early electronic instruments - part 1
• A brief History of Electronic music and early electronic instruments - part 2
• Listening and Acoustic Ecology
• Wearables

BUILDING PROJECTS (we will probably have to select some of these... won't be able to do it all)

• Piezo transducer and pick up
• Radio & sound toy hacks
• Keyboards, Joysticks and Mouse hacks
• Oscillator bank circuit
• Light listener

PERFORMANCE PROJECTS:

• Narrative and/or object with live sound triggers
• Toy & circuit jamming
• Final project