ACAT1011 Fundamentals of Computer Music
A one-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial each week in Semester 1.
Aim
- To gain an understanding of the techniques of digital sampling, sequencing and editing as applied to sound and image.
- To gain an understanding of the MIDI (Music instrument Digital Interface) and SMPTE specifications and their use in studio and realtime environments.
Content
Sampling theory and techniques, including:
- theory of analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion
- digital sampling techniques for sound and image
- the hardware implementation of sampling techniques
- sample merging and editing
Analysis of the MIDI specification including:
- using MIDI to control synthesis and sampling equipment
- realtime performance considerations
- MIDI merging and filtering
- MIDI time code
- SMPTE time code
Assessment
Assignments–30%. Examination performance–70%.
Texts
| MIDI Specification |
| Loy, G., “Musicians Make a Standard: The MIDI Phenomenon”, Computer Music Journal, vol. 9, no. 4. |
References
| Bateman, W., Introduction to Computer Music, Wiley, 1980. |
| DeFuria, S., and Scacciaferro, J., MIDI Programmer's Handbook, M&T Publishing, 1989. |
| Software and hardware manuals as appropriate. |
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