Course detail

Electronic Musical Instruments

FEKT-BPC-HELAcad. year: 2018/2019

he course focuses on analogue and digital synthesis of audio signals, analogue and digital communication interfaces in music electronics, principles and structure of electronic musical instruments and samplers and their individual parts, and file formats for the transfer of musical information. Laboratory exercises are focused on working with hardware and software analog modelling synthesizers, samplers and other types of electronic musical instruments and the principles of sound signals synthesis in Reaktor software. Part of the laboratory exercises is the realization of own synthesizer in the Reaktor software.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

- explain basic analog and digital methods audio signals synthesis,
- describe hardware and data transfer of analog and digital communication interface in musical electronics
- describe the structure of the analog modelling instrument and sampler
- explain the principle of the keyboard of electronic musical instrument, wind and string controllers and special control elements,
- design the structure of the digital electronic musical instrument for the given method of synthesis
- implement a software electronic music instrument using function blocks

Prerequisites

The knowledge of basic laws and quantities in electrical circuits is required as well as the knowledge of the characteristics of electric circuit elements, circuit behaviour with inertia elements, periodical and non-periodical signal spectra, continuous- and discrete-time systems. The student who enrols on the course should be able to use instruments for the measurement of electrical voltage, waveform generators and oscilloscopes.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in article 7 of the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.
- Lectures provide the explanation of basic principles, subject methodology, examples of problems and their solutions.
- Laboratory exercises support practical mastering of themes presented in lectures. Active participation of students is required.
Participation at lectures is recommended. Participation at other ways of instruction is checked.
Course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Evaluation of study results follows the Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT and the Dean's Regulation complementing the Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT. Up to 20 points are awarded for correct results and elaboration of all laboratory exercises and 20 points for designing own synthesizer in the Reaktor software. The minimal scope of the elaboration of particular laboratory exercises and complementary questions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantor of the course and updated for every academic year. Up to 40 points are given for the final written examination and it is necessary to get at least 15 points for its successful completion. Up to 20 points are awarded for the final oral examination which consists of 10 groups of questions according to the course syllabus.

Course curriculum

1. History of musical electronics
2.Electromechanical musical instruments
3. Linear synthesis of audio signals, additive and subtraction methods
4. Non-linear synthesis of audio signals, shaping and modulation methods
5. Digital synthesis, digital oscillators and wavetable methods
6. Granular synthesis, methods of hybrid synthesis
7. Mathematical and physical modeling of musical instruments
8. Analog and digital communication interfaces in music electronics, CV / Trig interface, MIDI
9. Electronic musical instrument, virtual analog synthesizer
10. Samplers, real-time pitch shifting, vertical and horizontal zones
11. Polyphonic and multitimbral musical instruments
12. Keyboard of electronic musical instrument, wind and string controllers, principles of special control elements
13. Standard file formats for music information transfer

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with the operation principle and use of analog and digital music electronics.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

It is obligatory to work through all laboratory exercises in regular or alternative terms and design own software synthesizer to complete the course. Other forms of checked instruction are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantor of the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-AUD Bachelor's

    specialization AUDB-ZVUK , 3. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization AUDB-TECH , 3. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Laboratory exercise

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer