Module Descriptors
CREATIVE SOFTWARE TOOLS FOR SOUND 2
MUSI50622
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Marc Estibeiro
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • Practical - Create a software application weighted at 60%
  • Coursework - 1500 word written evaluation weighted at 40%
Module Details
Assessment Details
100% in course assessment comprising:

Practical (60%): Create a software application that utilises user input to create some kind of compositional audio output. (Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4.)

Evaluation (40%) 1500 word written evaluation of the integration between the creative and technical aspects of the second software application. (Learning Outcome 5.)
Indicative Content
The development of custom environments in Creative Software tools such as Max.
An introduction into other creative audio environments that can integrate with of Max.
Extending the use of Max for Live and Max from an intermediary problem-solving environment (as developed in Creative Software Tools 1) to using it as stand-alone creative environment.
An introduction to the use of Max to create outputs other than audio.
Learning Strategies
3-hour lecture / laboratory / tutorial / seminar sessions per week
Resources
Media stores / resource centre
Music laboratories

Reaktor
Ableton Live and Max for Live
Max/MSP
Doepfer Modular synth

Books, eBooks and audio recordings via the Library
Lynda.com Training library

Online hosting (e.g. Soundcloud) and transfer (e.g. Dropbox) services
Texts
Boulanger, Richard, Victor Lazzarini, and Max Mathews. 2010. The Audio Programming Book. Har/DVD edition. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Collins, Nicolas. (2009) Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking. 2 edition. New York: Routledge.
Manzo, V. J., 2011. Max//Msp/Jitter for Music: A Practical Guide to Developing Interactive Music Systems for Education and More. New York: Oxford University Press.
Manzo, V. J., and Will Kuhn. (2015) Interactive Composition: Strategies Using Ableton Live and Max for Live. New York, NY: OUP USA.
Miranda, Eduardo. (2002) Computer Sound Design: Synthesis Techniques and Programming. 2nd ed. Focal Press.
Russ, Martin. (2008) Sound Synthesis and Sampling. 3rd ed. Focal Press.
Shepard, Brian K. (2013) Refining Sound: A Practical Guide to Synthesis and Synthesizers. New York: OUP USA.
Vail, Mark. (2014) The Synthesizer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Programming, Playing, and Recording the Ultimate Electronic Music Instrument. New York City: OUP USA.
Wishart, Trevor. 1994. Audible Design: A Plain and Easy Introduction to Sound Composition. York, England: Orpheus The Pantomime Ltd.
Learning Outcomes
1. CREATE ORIGINAL STAALONE CREATIVE TOOLS IN AUDIO DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTS LIKE MAX [Application]

2. REVERSE ENGINEER OTHER PEOPLES WORK TO INFORM YOUR OWN PRACTICE USING CREATIVE SOFTWARE TOOLS.
[Enquiry; Application]

3. UNDERSTAND THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPING SOFTWARE TOOLS.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOP CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS WHICH YOU COME UP AGAINST WITHIN COMPOSITION AND AUDIO PRODUCTION.
[Enquiry; Problem Solving]

5. EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK WITHIN AUDIO DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS MAX.
[Reflection]