This course allows students to explore the artistic expression and technical requirements of sound design and media production, while introducing students to historical and contemporary works and artists who work directly with technology to create sound objects and installation works.

Principle Study develops a greater aesthetic awareness, as students are required to understand the physical and psychological aspects of sound and sound creation in its relationship to visual media and acoustic space. A refinement of the ability to use and create computer software for musical tasks in collaboration with video art, interactive art, and human computer interaction are some of the primary concerns of this course. Students are then required to use this knowledge in all aspects of the music creation process.

Electro-Sounds is an introductory class to coding and electronics. Students will develop an understanding of basic software and hardware programming as well as the prototyping of electronic circuits using basic electronic components: breadboards and the Arduino micro-controller to program electronic circuits.

In-class exercises will result in a series of sound objects and will lead to a final project, a musical instrument using custom built electronics and found materials. Students will learn various aspects of programming through practical experimentation and applications.

Intro

Introduction to classes and weekly sessions.

In class warm-up exercise

Basics 1

The Arduino and basic input output components.

Review of homework and in-class exercise, getting to know the Arduino.

Basics 2

On inputs and outputs

Review of homework and in-class exercise on basic Arduino inputs and outputs. 

Basics 3

Input-Output-Noise 1

Review of homework and in-class exercise on materials and their acoustic properties.

Basics 4

Input-Output-Noise 2

Basics 5

Midi-sounds

Review of homework and in-class exercise on using midi tones as audio output.

Project Week

no class

Review of homework and in-class exercise on materials and their acoustic properties.

Project Briefing

+

Project Proposal

Proposal presentation and getting started with project planning and development.

Electronics, Inputs, Outputs, Materials, Sound.

To work on project proposal.

Project briefing, to work on proposal over project week.

+

Making 1

From proposal to first test.

In-class workshop and development

Making 3

Sound object and sound recordings.

In-class development, to refine sound making object and perform sound recordings.

Making 2

Evaluating and refining outcomes.

In-class development, to create a series of sound making objects

Making 4

Recordings continued.

In-class development, finalise recordings and sound object.

Presentation and Documentation

Present and perform sound object. Document sound object.

Submission

Use the Little Bits Korg kit to create a series of sound recordings while playing with and testing out the individual components like Oscillator, Delays, Envelopes, etc.

From the recorded samples compose a 1:30 mins soundtrack which you can complete till next week.

Today's activity is for getting to know the Arduino board and its software environment. Next, you will be introduced to the basic electronic components needed for your Arduino project, as well as some basic breadboard circuits.

Later, you'll start with the Blink example that comes with the Arduino software to make an LED blink. From there we will move on to creating basic input circuits.

Connect and release the two blue wires to turn the red LED on and off.

Turn the knob, the potentiometer, to dim the red LED.

Control the intensity of the LED by covering the Photocell.

By touching the green wire, print the measured value to the Serial Monitor.

In class activity.

In class activity.