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COMP_SCI 497: Digital Musical Instrument Design


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Prerequisites

By instructor permission only - See instructions in Caesar for more detail.

Description

Digital Musical Instrument Design approaches Human Computer Interaction through the lens of artistic creation in sound. Its perspective sits at the intersection of design, engineering, musicianship, and the sonic arts. This course will introduce students to fundamentals of creating their own musical instruments using highly-accessible modern technologies in hardware and software. We will explore the influence and feedback between the tool (e.g. an instrument), the tool user (a musician/producer), the creative output (the music), as well as the audience. Along the way, we will learn about user interaction design, physical computing (using arduino), sensor technology, signal creation and interpretation (using Max or PureData), and musical expression. Students will create a new musical instrument by the end of the course and the final project will involve a performance using their instrument.

  •  This course is cross-listed with RTVF 376-0-24

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and critique the design of musical instruments
  • Design and construct basic sensor circuits for musical interaction
  • Write code for the Arduino platform that can interpret and transmit data from sensor circuits
  • Create interactive audio programs (in the Max platform) that map sensor data onto sound outputs
  • Refine instrument designs to create specific sonic outcomes

Evaluation Method

Attendance and class participation are crucial to this class, and are therefore a significant part of the grade. In additional to a final project and final performance, there will be a smaller presentation and incremental assignments.

Class Materials (Required)

Attendance and class participation are crucial to this class, and are therefore a significant part of the grade. In additional to a final project and final performance, there will be a smaller presentation and incremental assignments.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Bryan Pardo & Prof. Stephan Moore