TECH 201 COURSE OUTLINE + SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS
The schedule will be updated with homework and slides after every class.
August
8/28 \ Overview of Topics + Syllabus, Introductions
Homework (HW): Complete TIMARA Start-of-Semester Action Items
Read Talbot-Smith Chapter 1 (e-mail me answers to questions 1-3 on page 13, with subject heading “Reading 1”)
Listen to Wire Recorder Piece by Halim El-Dabh and La Vie en Rose performed by Clara Rockmore
Assignment #1 (introduction)
—
September
9/2 \ Discuss Listening + Reading
HW: Read Talbot-Smith Chapter 2
Listen to Forbidden Planet: Overture by Bebe & Louis Barron (listening guide), and Pines of Rome by Resphigi (score)
Assignment #2 (advice for class)
9/4 \ Discuss Listening + Reading
HW: listening: Presque Rien No. 1, Lockwood, reading: How Music Works by Byrne, Creation in Reverse
Assignment #3 (field recordings)
—
9/9 \ Discuss Listening + Reading
HW: Read “What is Electronic Music?” by Thom Holmes from Electronic and Experimental Music: Pioneers in Technology and Composition
Listen to Racing Through, Racing Unseen by Natasha Barrett. Program notes here.
Install REAPER on your laptop and work through the first page of the REAPER help sheet.
9/11 \ Discuss Thom Holmes, Daw Work
HW: Read “Early Electronic Music in Europe” by Thom Holmes from Electronic and Experimental Music: Pioneers in Technology and Composition
Listen to Étude aux Chemins de Fer by Pierre Schaeffer and Gesang Der Juenglinge (Excerpt) by Karlheinz Stockhausen.
Using sounds the class recorded during the Scavenger Hunt, create a 10-15 second (no more, no less) exploration of sound editing and processing using all of the techniques outlined on the first page of the Help Sheet here. Focus on basic sound manipulation (trimming, repeating, fading), and NOT effects. Export your creation as an audio file, take screenshot(s) of the session, and submit the audio file and screenshot(s) to this Box folder in a folder with your name (e.g. “Eli”). Have fun!
—
9/16 \ Theremin + Mic Recording
HW: Listening: Studie II, Red Bird, reading: Elektronische Musik history (reading 6), Awareness #2
Assignment #5 (Theremin and Mic Recording)
9/18 \ ARP Basics
HW: Reading 7 (Intro. To Analog Synthesis), Assignment 6 (ARP Intro.)
—
9/23 \ ARP + Automation
HW: Reading 8 (Holmes, Technical Analog Synthesis), Assignment 7 (Automation Data)
9/25 \ Etude 1 Assigned
HW: Reading 9 (More Analog Synthesis), Assignment 8 (Movie Review - audio technology)
—
9/30 \
HW: Reading 10 (Voltage-Controlled Synthesis) Assignment 9 (More ARP)
(No Class 10/2)
—
October
10/7 \ Reading 11 (Excessive Audio Levels), Assignment 10 (More Arp)
10/9 \ Reading 12 (Contemporary Classical + Experimental Music), Assignment 11 (Counting Systems)
—
10/14 \ Midterm Exam | Etude 1 Due
Reading 13 (Ambient + Free Jazz), Assignment 12 (Etude #1 Remix)
10/16 \ Reading 14 (Rock, Space Pop, Turntablism), Assignment 13 (No Input Mixing)
—
🍂 FALL break (10/18 - 10/26) 🍂
10/28 \ Software FX + Plug-in Automation
Reading 15 (Digital Audio Introduction)
10/30 🎃 \ Reading 16 (Women in Audio)
—
November
11/4 \ Basic Digital Synthesis
HW: Reading 16 (Algorithmic Synthesis),
11/6 \ Frequency Domain with SPEAR
—
11/11 \ MIDI, Software Synths, Awareness
11/13 \ SPEAR Review, Cables + Mixing Workshop
—
11/18 \ Quiz 2 + Etude 2 Brainstorming
11/20 \ Transitions + Layers Assignment Walkthrough
—
(No Class 11/25)
🍂 THanksgiving break (11/26 - 11/30) 🍂
December
12/2 \ Distortion + Glitch
12/4 \ Etude 2 Listening
—
12/9 \ Final Exam - Listening + Take Home
12/11 \ ?