Course detail
Creating Artificial Sound
FEKT-BPC-TUZAcad. year: 2018/2019
In this course, students learn about the types of syntheses and other "artificial" methods of sound creation and the structure of synthetic sound sources (generation and modulation circuits, etc.) in the case of analog, analog-digital and digital synthesizers and samplers in terms of their compositional use.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
- explain the principle of additive and subtractive synthesis of sound,
- name modulation syntheses of sound and explain their principle,
- explain the principle of shape and granular synthesis of sound,
- describe the use of sampling audio signals in the synthesis of sound,
- describe the modulation circuits used in audio synthesis and enumerate their use,
- describe the MIDI interface, name the types of messages used, and describe their uses,
- name the types of MIDI controllers and describe them,
- describe the tuning of electro-acoustic instruments and name methods of tuning hardware and software synthesizers,
- describe ways of creating "artificial" sound,
- describe interactive electronics and explain some solutions.
Prerequisites
Co-requisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Lectures consist of an explanation of basic principles, supplemented by a practical demonstration of methods of synthesis and audio samples.
- Exercises support practical acquiring of themes presented at lectures in form of practical work with active participation of students.
Participation at lectures is recommended. Participation at other ways of instruction is checked.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Course curriculum
2. Generating circuits: additive synthesis.
3. Generating circuits: subtractive synthesis.
4. Generating circuits: modulation synthesis (FM synthesis).
5. Generating circuits: modulation synthesis (amplitude modulation, ring modulation).
6. Generating circuits: waveshaping synthesis (nonlinear waveshaping, phase distortion).
7. Generating circuits: waveshaping synthesis (direct creation of waveform).
8. Generating circuits: granular synthesis.
9. Generating circuits: sampling.
10. Modulation circuits: amplifiers.
11. Modulation circuits: filter.
12. Modulation circuits: LFO.
13. Modulation circuits: amplitude and timbre envelope.
14. The MIDI interface in general.
15. Types of MIDI sound controllers: the keyboard.
16. Types of MIDI sound controllers: string, wind and other controllers.
17. The tuning of electro-acoustic instruments in general: types of tuning.
18. The tuning of electro-acoustic instruments: ways of tuning hardware and software synthesizers.
19. The tuning of electro-acoustic instruments: other ways of tuning hardware synthesizers.
20. Other ways of creating "artificial" sound: sound processing in general (basic types of effects).
21. Other ways of creating "artificial" sound: processing of acoustic and electro-acoustic sound.
22. Other ways of creating "artificial" sound: the conversion of a variety of non-musical data to sound signals (types of hardware and software solutions in general).
23. Other ways of creating "artificial" sound: the conversion of a variety of non-musical data to sound signals (specific examples).
24. Interactive Electronics: types of hardware and software solutions in general.
25. Interactive Electronics: specific examples.
26. Multimedia.
Work placements
Aims
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Recommended optional programme components
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
Kopecký, Pavel: Základy elektronického zvuku a jeho kreativní zpracování. AMU, Praha, 2008. ISBN 978-8073311216 (CS)
Rataj, Michal: Elektroakustická hudba a vybrané koncepty radioartu. KANT AMU, Praha, 2007. ISBN 978-8086970318 (CS)
Vrzal, Martin: Střih záznamu hudby. AMU, Praha, 2007. ISBN 978-80-7331-114-8 (CS)
Recommended reading
Classification of course in study plans