Course detail

Creating Artificial Sound 2

FEKT-BPC-TUZ2Acad. year: 2024/2025

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

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

The knowledge of basic concepts of musical acoustics, tempo, expression and dynamic signs, and musical instruments tuning is required as well as musical intervals, scales and modes, chords and basic harmonic connections, and timbres. Students who enrol on the course should be able to analyze song regularities and assess the implications for the interpretation.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Evaluation of study results follows Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT and Dean's Regulation to the Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT. Credit is given for creating two short individual compositions. Up to 100 points is given for the final oral examination and it is necessary to get at least 50 points for its successful completion.
To obtain the credit it is necessary to complete at least 10 exercises during semester. Other forms of the checked instructions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantee of the course and updated for every academic year.

Aims

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the types of syntheses and other artificial ways of creating sound, not only in terms of their technical implementation, but especially in terms of their potential artistic uses, with the MIDI interface, interactive electronics and multimedia, and creative use.
The student is able to:
- 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.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Kaduch, Miroslav: Soudobá hudební tvorba s využitím počítačů. MKS, Ostava, 1989. (CS)
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

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-AUD Bachelor's

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

Type of course unit

 

Fundamentals seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Other methods of creating sound - conversion of various non-musical data (number series, fractals, text strings, etc.) into a sound signal.

2. Other methods of creating sound – graphic editing of the sound spectrum.

3. Other methods of creating sound - conversion of visual data into a sound signal.

4. Other methods of creating sound - conversion of visual data to MIDI messages.

5. Other methods of creating sound – basic effects processors.

6. Other methods of creating sound – complex effects processors.

7. Interactive electronics - types of hardware and software solutions in general.

8. Interactive electronics - specific examples.

9. Combination of all mentioned methods.

10. MIDI interface in general, types of MIDI sound controllers.

11. MIDI keyboard, string, wind and drum controller.

12. Tuning electroacoustic instruments in general.

13. Tuning of electroacoustic instruments - methods of retuning hardware and software synthesizers.