Instructor: David Adamcyk (dadamcyk@msmnyc.edu)
Office Hours: By appointment only.
Requirements: Successful completion of CP1720 & CP1730 (Intro to Electronic Music)
Description:
Advanced Electronic Music (CP2621 and 2622; also known as CPP Project 1) is a full year course in electronic music. In the fall semester, three topics are introduced: analog mixers and synthesizers, basic MaxMSP and MIDI controllers, and transduction (i.e., specialized mics, contact mics, transducers, and unconventional speakers). The object here is to give students a larger sampling of various electronic music techniques that they may choose to apply and further develop in a creative collaborative project in the spring semester. For this collaborative project, students will be paired with a 1st year performer from the Contemporary Performance Program (as available). Though the pairing is encouraged and is a fantastic collaborative opportunity, it is not required and students are free to find their own performers (if needed).
The spring semester maintains its focus on the above three topics, but also adds the topic of live sound reinforcement (i.e., how to install and operate a PA system) with the goal of giving students real-life technical tools to produce their own concerts. Topics include the practice and theory of digital mixing, sound reinforcement, concert recording, and efficient equipment set-up and tear-down. In parallel to this, students prepare their collaborative project with their performer. In the weeks leading to the final concert, class time will be devoted to group composition lessons, where students will be expected to show their projects in progress. The final collaborative project should be approximately 10 minutes in length, and can be either only electronic (including some type of sound installation), or for electronics and live instrumentalist(s). The project will be presented in a public concert in April in Miller Hall, which is entirely run and organized by the students in the class (i.e., students must plan the concert order, mixer setup, input list, mic placements, etc.), based on the knowledge gained in the spring semester. In addition, at the end of the spring semester, students must submit a complete score (if applicable) and technical rider for their composition.
Grading for each semester is broken down as follows:
Fall
80% 10 assignments (8% each)
20% Final Synth project
Spring
50% 5 assignments (10% each)
50% Final project and rider
All work must be turned in on time. Late work will be given one letter grade lower, and work submitted more than week late will not be accepted. The final performance is mandatory; non-participation will automatically result in a failing grade.
Required Textbook:
There is no required text book.
Required software:
Though it is not required, I highly recommend you subscribe to, at minimum, three months of MaxMSP ($12.99/month, or $90/year EDU, $250 permanent EDU). You can of course use MaxMSP on the 618 computer, but having your own copy will make working on assignments easier (MaxMSP operates on both Windows and Mac). Please consult the class schedule for the best time to subscribe, if using a monthly rate.
Class Website: http://msm-advancedelectronicmusic.davidadamcyk.ca
You are be required to consult the class website on a weekly basis.
Weekly Schedule:
See class website, under the “Fall Schedule” and “Spring Schedule”.
Student Attendance
Students are expected to attend every class/meeting. In the event that a student must miss a class due to religious observance, illness, or family emergency, instructors may strongly encourage that students complete additional assignments to help make up for lost class participation. Whenever possible, students should provide advance notification of absence. Students who miss class without instructor permission should expect to have their grade lowered.
Academic Integrity
Students are responsible for the full citations of others’ ideas in all research papers and projects; they must be scrupulously honest when taking examinations, and must always submit their own work and not that of another student, scholar, or internet agent. Any breach of this intellectual responsibility will not be tolerated.
