Course Info
meeting times: 5pm-7pm
Mon and Wed: Communications Lab 343
special expenses: $30 magnetic media
required texts:
An Introduction to the Creation of
Electroacoustic Music - Samuel Pellman
Audio Culture: Readings in Modern Music - Daniel Warner, Christoph
Cox
faculty sponsor contact info:
Amy Greene | 360.867.6219 | greenea at evergreen.edu |
course description
This 3 quarter introductory course will cover the theory and operation of synthesizers,
recording, mixing, and production equipment for making music using analog, digital
and MIDI technology. Students will start with proficiency in the small electronic
music studios, learn operation of the tape recorders, analog and digital synthesizers,
mixing and processing equipment and Macintosh based MIDI sequencing and digital
recording. In addition, we will listen to and discuss several electro-acoustic/electronic
works throughout the quarter.
Students will start with proficiency in the small electronic music studios, learn operation of the tape recorders, analog and digital synthesizers, mixing and processing equipment and later the Mac based MIDI sequencer and associated modules.
The workshop will meet twice weekly for lectures on the theory of operation and demonstrations of the equipment in the small studio. Students will become proficient and be assigned up to two (2) four hour studio times (one independently and one in partners). This time will be used to complete design problems for class and for work on independent compositions. There will be two projects due by the end of the quarter and shorter weekly assignments. Students will keep a journal for lecture notes, studio and project documentation, and composition design.
The class will consist of the following five elements:
1) Weekly lab/practicum sessions will start at 5:00pm Monday and Wednesday evenings. We will go over general questions, problems, etc. I will lecture/demonstrate new information/operation of the studio resources. We will also explore the works of several electronic composers and discuss various compositional techniques. There will be hands-on time for reviewing the new information.
2) Playback sessions will start the second or third week. This time during the beginning of class will provide members with a chance to play exercises to the group for feedback and direction. Each class session you must bring whatever you have worked on in your studio blocks. This process will allow all members to hear how others solve musical design problems with the soft and hardware.
3) Each member will schedule two 4 hour studio blocks as permanent times for the duration of the quarter (one block with a partner and one block solo). These times will allow you to become familiar with the operation of the hardware/software in the context of creating music projects. There will be a project due at the end of the 5th and 10th weeks. You will also be completing weekly design problems introduced in lab sessions to improve understanding of the system functions. These must be completed for the following playback session.
4) You must keep a journal. Journals will consist of wire bound or better notebooks for keeping lab/lecture/studio session and reading notes/questions/ideas/etc. These must be available for the sponsor to review at the lecture sessions.
5) There will be optional individual and small group consulting times available to get more intensive consulting with the lab aides. These times, though optional, are strongly recommended to help you gain the level of comfort and familiarity required to become 'creative' with the studio tools. The consultation times are Wednesday, 1-5 PM. The first four components are required for full credit. Consulting time is optional, but you are strongly encouraged to use it to get as much information as you can.
Credit will be earned based on the completion of the preceding elements, and your participation in the general class discussions. This learning process requires you to be constantly converting technical information into tools for creative application and conversely, imagining sound possibilities and being able to choose appropriate tools for realization.
Division of credit is roughly:
1qtr hr Attendance, Participation/Critique
1qtr hr Studio Block use, Journal
2qtr hr Projects
You will need to purchase the following supplies:
Course text:
Introduction to the Creation of Electroacoustic Music - Samuel Pellman
Audio Culture: Readings in Modern Music - Daniel Warner, Christoph Cox
1 90 minute TDK SA cassettes or equal
1 7" reels AMPEX 456 1/4" audio tape
1/2 reel 1/2"AMPEX 456 audio tape
1 90 minute DAT tape
Manuals will be distributed.
