Intro to Digital Sound

Introduction to Digital Sound (DT-202-1)
T/Th 7:30-10:15pm
Instructor: Andrew Benson

Course Description

This course provides a foundation in the techniques, concepts, and history of sound practice. Studio work will focus on using the available software tools and basic electronics to create new sound works for live performance, installation, video/film projects, or straight recordings. This work will culminate in the completion of a final project to be presented to the class at the end of the semester. Lectures and listenings will introduce students to the cultural context surrounding digital sound and experimental audio work.

Readings

Material List

Required Materials:

  • Recording device - Anything will do, as long as it has a headphone or other output jack (tape recorder, minidisc, voice recorder, DAT, etc.).
  • Headphones - Do to the noisy nature of some of the class work, it is necessary that students use headphones while working on some projects. Try to get a pair with decent sound characteristics.

Optional Materials

  • Arduino Prototyping Board - for students interested in working with sensors, actuators, and custom controllers ~$35.00 from SparkFun.
  • Sensors and other components - Depending on the project idea. Please consult with me before purchasing.
  • Joystick, MIDI device, or other gestural controller - for interactive or performance projects.
  • Powered Speakers - For intimate performances and installation projects that require amplified sound. Speakers sold as “computer speakers” will usually suffice, although audio quality can vary.
  • Small MP3/audio player - Cheap ones are easy to come by, use little power, and are very useful for looped and random (shuffle) playback.

Schedule

Week 1
tues: Introductions, first look at Audacity and audio editing
thurs: Listening. Ambient Loop exercise. Homework: read “Art of Noise”

Week 2
tues: Tape Mix/Remix exercise. Experimental Radio, Mixtapes and Podcasts. Homework: start going through Max Tutorials
thurs: Finish Tape Mix. Making a Contact Mic. Homework: continue with Max Tutorials. Reading “Plunderphonics”

Week 3
tues: Max introduction. Experiment: visual scores/designs for sound. Homework: Begin looking at MSP tutorials
thurs: Synthesis. Experiment: build some noise. Reading: Varese “Liberation of Sounds”

Week 4
tues: Sample playback. Control. Experiment: build a triggered sample player.
thurs: FIELD TRIP - SOUNDARTS STUDIO - for directions, click here.

Week 5
tues: Sound Processing, filters, effects
thurs: Class Cancelled

Week 6
tues: Physical Controls MIDI,HID,etc. Experiment: make a controllable max patch.
thurs: Visual Scores due. Groups choose a score to create a performance system.

Week 7
tues: Performances based on controller and scores.
thurs: Jennifer presents John Cage. Midterm listening session/critique.

Week 8
tues: Live sound recording and processing. Exercise: Groups make a voice processor.
thurs: Alex presents…? Controller Hacking, Soldering, sensors. Project Proposals Due.

Week 9
tues: Individual Project Meetings. Groups work on gestural controller/patch/electronics.
thurs: Gavin presents..? Cheapo sensors, alternative materials.

Week 10
tues: Jitter Demo/Lecture.
thurs: Shemoel presents Peter Blasser. Jitter continued.

Week 11
tues: Work Day
thurs: Djavan presents Paul D. Miller. Guest artists Joshua Kit Clayton and Seth Horvitz (Pigeon Funk).

Week 12
tues: Project first Prototypes due. Project demos and feedback. Work.
thurs: Hui presents Masayuki Akamatsu. Work.

Week 13
tues: Work Day.
thurs: THanksGiving :: no class!!!!

Week 14
tues: Finishing Touches, rehearsals, etc. Luke presents…?
thurs: Final Show

Week 15
tues: Final Crit post-show discussion. Feedback.
thurs: Listening party, going further with sound, blow off steam.

Useful Links

  • All Electronics: a really reasonably priced surplus electronics store.
  • Jameco: big supplier of components.
  • SPARKFUN: an amazing one-stop webstore dedicated to physical computing and DIY electronics. Tons of simple sensor and prototyping modules, including the Arduino and Leah Buechley’s LilyPad stuff. Not always cheapest, but very good quality and friendly.
  • SmallParts: a handy place to find strange bits and pieces of hardware and fittings.
  • Internet Archive: A great resource for ephemeral and open-source media.
  • freesound: A sound sample sharing community where you can find some great sound files, and even beg for specific sounds if you become a member.
  • Wikipedia: Great way to get quick info about all sorts of things, although sometimes dubious.
  • World Soundscape Project: A project based on acoustic ecology ideas introduced by R. Murray Schafer
  • Quiet American: Aaron Ximm is a sound artist who works extensively with field recording techniques, and has a good amount of advice and info on his site
  • phonography.org: site devoted to “phonography”, or field recording as its own genre.
  • EMF: The Electronic Music Foundation has a wealth of historical info and has a bunch of programs for people working with sound.
  • ubuweb: a huge repository of media by and of artists, musicians, writers, etc. There is really no other website like it. Great research site.
  • The ITP Physical Computing Page: a very useful site maintained by the students and faculty of ITP at NYU. Lots of info about sensors, interfaces, conductive fibers, and other circuits.
  • Synth Electronics Class: This Georgia Tech class website has lecture videos, homework assignments, and a bunch of schematic resources for designing and building audio electronics. Amazing resource.