Advanced Sound Synthesis

Code:

MM0028

Acronym:

SAS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Music Technology

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Multimedia

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MM	13	Syllabus	1	-	6	45	162
			2

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- Comprehensive knowledge of various ways of sound synthesis as well as the most relevant languages and software to produce it;

- Application of sound synthesis in diverse contexts of sound design and music creation;

- Improvement and creation of new models of sound synthesis.

Learning outcomes and competences

After successfully finishing this class, the student will be able to:

– know and apply several sound synthesis techniques for musical composition or sound design;

– know and use fluently tools such as Max/MSP, Pure Data and Kyma;

– improve or fine tune, when necessary, the sound synthesis techniques studied.

Working method

Presencial

Program

- The various families of sound synthesis – process recording, spectral models, physical and abstract models;

- Synthesis by voltage control;

- Digital synthesis;

- Various application of sound synthesis, with emphasis on Max/MSP, Pure Data and Kyma;

- Gestural control of sound synthesis parameters;

- Execution of practical assignment based on the implementation of synthesis in the mentioned applications.

Mandatory literature

Curtis Roads; The Computer Music Tutorial, MIT Press, 1996
Curtis Roads; Microsound, MIT Press, 2001
Charles Dodge, Thomas Jerse; Computer Music Synthesis, Composition, and Performance, Schirmer Books, 1985
RIchard Boulanger (ed.); The CSound book, MIT Press, 2000
James Beauchamp ; Analysis, Synthesis, and Perception of Musical Sounds: Sound of Music, Springer, 2007
Wilson, S.; Cottle, D.; Collins, D.; The Supercollider Book, MIT Press, 2011

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course unit is composed by comprehensive seminars and sessions where practical exercises related to the mentioned technologies are carried out. Theoretical classes will be based on presentation of examples of sounds and sessions to carry out practical exercises.

Software

Kyma
Max/MSP
Pure Data

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Computer technology > Signal processing

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	60,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

40% - assignments carried out during the semester;

60% - final assignment.

Examinations or Special Assignments

The final assignment must be based on the practical application of the themes taught or on the development of new technologies of sound synthesis.

Classification improvement

Substantial improvement of the final assignment or presentation of another assignment previously approved by the professor.

Observations

Classes will be taught in English if there is foreign students or if it is deemed necessary (e.g. presentations given by foreign professors). Students can either present their assignments in Portuguese or in English.