SFAI_ FALL'07 * 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

HYBRID SYSTEMS

An introduction to INTERFACES:

• 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- Control and mapping strategies

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

ARTISTS:

We will look at some artists whose work are relevant to this class (aside from the ones who are visiting the class, thinking of Alvin Lucier, David Rokeby, Christian Marclay, Annea Lockwood.... to be discussed later on)