DT 220-1 Signal to Noise: Interactive Sound and Electronic Performance
TTH 7:30-10:15p
Andrew Benson
andrewb@cycling74.com

Course Description
This studio course is designed to give you experience working with experimental real-time media in an interactive setting. We will be performing experiments with audio, video, and input electronics while considering themes related to systems theory, communication, and interactivity. Course work will consist of basic electronics projects, visual programming using MaxMSP, and construction of a unique interactive system for live performance. At the end of the semester, each student will take part in a live performance event to be planned over the course of the semester.

Course Schedule
Please check this regularly, as schedule is subject to change.

Tues, 9/1 Hello, class!

  • Assignment: System Drawing due Th. 9/3

Thurs,9/3 Systems Design

  • Look at System Drawings
  • Talk about functional systems
  • First look at Max: Connecting stuff
  • Assignment: Max Basics Tutorials

Tues, 9/8 Switches everywhere!

  • What is a switch?
  • Group Assignment: Design a switch-based interaction
  • Max: basics

Thurs,9/10 Make noises

  • Max: oscillators, wavetables,noise
  • Talk about waveforms, synthesis
  • Basic sample playback
  • Finish Switch designs
  • Assignment: MSP Tutorials

Tues, 9/15 Bending frequencies

  • Modulation, analog controls
  • FM Synthesis, voltage dividers, pots, photocells
  • Ring Modulation
  • Look at Switch Design projects

Thurs,9/17 Filters, Distortion, Delay

  • Max: audio processing effects objects
  • Modulating effects controls
  • Physical inputs
  • Assignment: build a sampler/synth using computer keyboard or other input device to control. Due 9/22
  • Assignment: read Jitter tutorials

Tues, 9/22 Introducing Video

  • jit.qt.movie/grab
  • Image processing basics
  • The Matrix
  • Watch early video pioneers

Thurs,9/24 More Video

  • look at assignments
  • File in/File Out
  • Project: Mongrel Media. due 10/20

Tues, 9/29 Video Effects Processing

  • Basic compositing and color
  • transcoding

Thurs,10/1

  • Arduino, USB devices, Sensors
  • Connect something physical to the computer.
  • Alternate inputs, discarded technology, odd noisemakers

Tues, 10/6

  • Working with cameras, video digitizers,tape recorders
  • Work Work Work!!!

Thurs,10/8

  • Work on Mongrel Media
  • Reading: The Rhizome due 10/13

Tues, 10/13

  • Discuss Rhizome
  • Work time

Thurs,10/15

  • Finish those projects

Tues, 10/20 Midterm Critique

Thurs,10/22 Discuss Final Performance

Tues, 10/27
Thurs,10/29

Tues, 10/6
Thurs,10/8

Tues, 10/13
Thurs,10/15

Tues, 11/3
Thurs,11/5

Tues, 11/10
Thurs,11/12

Tues, 11/17
Thurs,11/19

Tues, 11/24
Thurs,11/26

Tues, 12/1
Thurs, 12/3

Tues, 12/8
Thurs,12/10 Last Day of Class