University of Sydney Handbooks - 2021 Archive

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Music Technology

Unit outlines will be available through Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
 

Music Technology units

Music Technology core requirements apply to students undertaking the following courses. Specific requirements are listed in the relevant enrolment pattern.
(a) BMusic (Composition for Creative Industries program)
(b) BMusic (Digital Music and Media program)
(c) Diploma of Music (Composition for Creative Industries program)
(d) Diploma of Music (Digital Music and Media program)
(e) BMusic (Performance) in Drum set principal study and Non-Western principal study
(f) BMusic/BAdvanced Studies (Performance) in Drum set principal study and Non-Western principal study.
Music Technology units are also available as electives in all BMusic and Diploma of Music courses.
CMPN1013 Creative Music Technology

Credit points: 3 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Benjamin Carey Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1 hr lab/studio/wk Assessment: creative audio assignment (70%), formative skills assessment (20%), participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In this unit of study students will be introduced to a range of music technologies and gain a basic proficiency in sound recording, editing and mixing. Students will learn to work with audio in a digital audio workstation, how to make good quality recordings with portable recording devices, and make use of these skills in service of a creative outcome. The unit will include an overview of software for notation/sequencing, as well as basic sound synthesis concepts. In the final assessment students will explore the creative possibilities of music technology by realising a sound work using either instrumental and/or environmental sound recorded and edited by them.
CMPN1014 Sound Recording Fundamentals

Credit points: 3 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ivan Zavada Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1 hr lect/wk, 1 hr lab class/wk Assessment: Stereo Recording (60%), Online Quiz (30%), Participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In this unit of study students will be introduced to a range of audio technologies and gain a basic proficiency in sound recording, editing and mixing. Students will experience working in the Conservatorium sound studios, and learn how to make good quality recordings with portable recording devices. This unit of study also examines microphone design, stereo microphone techniques and digital audio recording. Students will experience prac-based recording sessions to gain a comprehensive understanding of the recording technology on offer at the Sydney Conservatorium.
CMPN2007 Sound Recording Advanced

Credit points: 3 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Daniel Blinkhorn Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2hr studio, workshop, class and student group focused projects Prerequisites: CMPN2006 or CMPN1014 Assumed knowledge: Proficiency in an industry standard DAW and the ability to understand basic microphone and recording techniques. Assessment: Class Attendance and Participation and presentation (20%), Recording Project 1 (35%), Recording Project 2 (45%), Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit follows on from Sound Recording Fundamentals with a variety of both theoretical and practical applications and aesthetics within the studio-based recording environment. Additional topics include frequency response/spectral range and shaping, dynamic range (to compress, or not to compress), DSP functionaility in pre- and post- production and analysis of audio mixdowns and concurrent mixing techniques.
CMPN2631 Electroacoustic Music

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Daniel Blinkhorn Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 x 2 hr lab/studio class/week Prerequisites: MUED1002 or CMPN1013 or MUSC2653 Assumed knowledge: Proficiency in the usage of any industry standard DAW and attendant sound transformation and diffusion software. Assessment: Composition demonstrating electroacoustic techniques (40%), electroacoustic composition drawing from any manner of materials discussed within the unit (60%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will explore past and concurrent techniques in electroacoustic composition through the completion of various tasks in sound transformation and by composing new electroacoustic works. Whilst analysing manifold aesthetics and attendant compositional techniques implicit in the creation of electroacoustic music, emphasis will be placed on students developing a working knowledge of existent and emergent trends within the electroacoustic repertoire, and will gain insights into numerous aesthetic, recording and composing processes leading to the creation of new musical compositions in the field of electroacoustics.
CMPN2632 Computer Music Fundamentals

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ivan Zavada Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 hr lect/wk, 1 hr lab class. Prerequisites: MUED1002 or CMPN1013 or MUSC2653 Assessment: 2 programming assignments (2x25%), final project (50%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will focus on computer based music composition utilising formal processes to create music with computers. This unit investigates an interactive graphical programming environment for music, audio and media called Max, allowing the composer to program and implement interactive music processes quickly and with varying levels of sophistication, thus encouraging the student to explore real-time creative possibilities of digital music technology.
CMPN3634 Interactive Media and Sound Installations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Benjamin Carey Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 hr lect/wk Prerequisites: CMPN1013 or MUSC2653 Assessment: Sound Apparatus Project Presentation (25%), Relation Agents Group Project Presentation (25%), Final Project Public Presentation/Performance (50%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: The unit makes use of interactive programming techniques and other technical skills taught in CMPN2631/2632. Enrolling concurrently in one of these subjects alongside CMPN3634 is recommended.
This unit will focus on electronic music composition involving new paradigms brought about by real-time performance, installations, network technology, human computer interaction, gestural control and integration with visual arts and video animations. This unit of study will also investigate the available literature on topics such as multimedia, interactive and installation work in the context of contemporary sound art practice.
CMPN3635 Writing Music for the Moving Image

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Daniel Blinkhorn Session: Semester 1 Classes: 6 x 1 hour lectures for the first six weeks; 6 x 2 hour tutorials thereafter Prerequisites: MUED1002 or CMPN1013 or MUSC2653 or MUED4002 Assessment: Written paper (20%), Presentation (30%), Final Music (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit provides a practical introduction into the creation of, and aesthetics for music and
moving image. Topics for discussion will include, but are not be limited to: relationships
between image and sound, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, thematic development,
partnerships between composers, directors and other such collaborations within the creative
sector, sound design, music for games and animation, and non-commercial applications of
music for image (audiovisual art, cymatics etc). The unit seeks to enable
students the ability to develop a skillset within their own studio spaces for the creation and
dissemination of their projects; both at a sector ready, as well as a technically proficient level.
Importantly, students will be presented with a variety of possible projects and collaborations
with industry partners across differing creative sectors.
CMPN3636 Live Electronic Music Performance

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Benjamin Carey Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 x 1hr lecture per week, 1 x 2hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (CMPN1013 or MUSC2653) and (CMPN1631 or CMPN1632) Assumed knowledge: Students enrolling in this Unit of Study are expected to have previous experience with music technology, including recording and music creation software. Students will be expected to perform. Assessment: 1 x 1500 word essay (30%), 1 x Group Performance (30%), 1 x Solo Performance and Reflective Diary (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Live Electronic Music Performance is an innovative and diverse area of contemporary performance practice. Posing significant and exciting challenges for the rendering of music using digital technology, Live Electronic Music Performance requires genuine interdisciplinary skills such as technical development and problem solving, improvisation, musical composition, live sound reinforcement and ensemble communication. This area of performance employs a wide range of technologies, musical styles and performance methodologies. This unit aims to give students the skills necessary to navigate the various tools and techniques available in order to create innovative live performances using electronic and digital technologies.
MUSC2653 Introduction to Digital Music Techniques

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Damian Barbeler Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 hr lecture/demonstration/wk Assessment: Sound recording and editing assignment (30%); creative assignments (60%); online assessments, attendance and participation (10%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: An ability to read music at a basic level and an understanding of fundamental musical terminology is an advantage in this unit of study.
This unit is an introduction to the use of digital sound and music in creative and multimedia contexts. It is a practical course in which students are introduced to tools of sound creation and manipulation. Students will undertake creative projects as a means to learning. In addition, participants will be exposed to a number of approaches to electroacoustic music across the 20th and 21st centuries.
MUSC3603 Advanced Digital Music Techniques

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Damian Barbeler Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 hr lecture/demonstration/wk Prerequisites: MUSC2653 or CMPN1013 Assessment: Creative assignments (80%), Weekly review and presentation of work (20%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is an advanced exploration of digital sound and music in creative and multimedia contexts. It is a subject in which students are expected to make sophisticated use of sound creation and manipulation tools in pursuit of their own musical ideas. Students will undertake creative projects as a means to learning. An ability to read music at a basic level and an understanding of fundamental musical terminology is an advantage in this unit of study.