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Unit of study_

CMPN2632: Computer Music Fundamentals

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Sydney

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.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CMPN2632
Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MUED1002 or CMPN1013 or MUSC2653
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Joe Manton, joe.manton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Joe Manton, joe.manton@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation In-class tasks
Small exercises
20% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1
Design an automated note player for a two-voice free counterpoint
20% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
Max Patch
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assignment 2
Create a synthesizer using two modulation techniques
20% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59
Max Patch
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Final project
Final project
40% Week 12
Due date: 30 Oct 2022 at 23:59
Max Patch and 500 word documentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1: Design an automated note player for a two-voice free counterpoint consisting of repeated motifs with varying intervals.
  • Assignment 2: Create a synthesizer using at least two of the modulation techniques viewed in class: additive synthesis, amplitude modulation, ring modulation, frequency modulation, wavetable synthesis.
  • In-class tasks: Small exercises will be done during tutorial times and submitted via Canvas in class for evaluation on a regular basis during the semester. 4 tasks will be assessed individually to make up the mark for participation
  • Final project: Program a MIDI or AUDIO effects processor which emulates an effect or synthesizer.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment tasks and due dates for this unit of study are as follows:
Assignments – 40%
Final Project – 40%
Participation – 20% (in-class tasks and participation)

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Max workflow and objects; Overview of MIDI; Possibilities and examples Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Max Signal Processing (msp~) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Programming with Max conditions, Simple objects; Abstractions; Class activity 1* Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 04 Sound synthesis (additive; ring, amplitude and frequency modulation); Class activity 2* Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Sound synthesis - control and modulation, LFOs and analysis; Class activity 3* Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Filtering; Class activity 4* Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 07 Random processes and stochastics; Data capture, manipulation and uses. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Sampling; Sound files; Sequencers; Processing Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 09 One-to-many mapping; Scaling; Routing; Hardware and software integration Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Creating your own software in Max Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Creating your own software in Max cont. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Creating your own software in Max cont. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Weekly 1 hour lab class per week with online consultation Tutorial (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand fundamental programming concepts within the Max/Msp/Jitter environment
  • LO2. obtain a thorough understanding of the MIDI protocol and be aware of other similar environments (Open Sound Control, Processing, CSound)
  • LO3. apply knowledge of sound synthesis and filtering to your creative practice
  • LO4. actively pursue the creation and manipulation of sound through the development of your own music software (synthesiser, fx, controller, sequencer)
  • LO5. explore concepts of interactive music performance and integrate these concepts into your own creative practice
  • LO6. effectively implement musical ideas within the Max/MSP/Jitter music, audio and media programming environment

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

NO INFORMATION ENTERED HERE YET

Disclaimer

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