Assignment 5

There is a link for the Carsten Nicolai / Ryoji Ikeda piece is in the text. Here is the URL just in case
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c3y3tjytf75r4ib/09_id_08.flac?dl=0

1.  Download and install oscilloscope (drop into appropriate max4live folder in devices)
http://www.maxforlive.com/library/device/1124/oscilloscope

Create a midi track with simpler and load a sample of your choice (samples can be found in Ableton's Browser under Library). Route the output of the midi track to the audio track containing the oscilloscope. Play some notes on a midi track and observe the oscilloscope display. What is the relation between the scope display and the waveform you loaded?

Hint: You can double-click on one of the clips in the midi track and draw a midi note, instead of playing it on a controller / keyboard.
Do not forget to select "In" on the Monitor of the audio channel to receive the signal.


2. Edit the oscilloscope in Max4Live. Uncheck the patching mode view to see its contents. Open the scope~ help (control-click the scope grid) and read the explanation about X-Y mode. Modify the oscilloscope patch so that it would receive a stereo input in X-Y mode manner. Save the patch with a different name (YourNameOscilloscope).

3. Load the Ikeda and Nicolai 09_id_08 recording into a clip on the audio track. Play the piece and observe the scope. Take few snapshots during playback. Explain what you see.

Submission: Submit the modified oscilloscope patch (.amxd), written answers to questions 1 and 3 and the screen shots.

Extra: Try adding an additional spectroscope~ instead of scope~ and hook it up the same way. Right click on it and change Display Mode to Sonogram. This will give you a sonogram where the time moves on the X axis, frequency is
on the Y axis, and color represents the amplitude.

Hint: you can find the patch by control-clicking on the effect in Ableton browser and selecting "Show in Finder".

Final Project

This is a "free choice" project, so you get to choose your genre, the type of musical language and so on. In terms of genre, it could be abstract, experimental, interactive, beat based / dance, instrumental or more traditional, and so on. In terms of the composition technique, this could be a remix, mashup or a completely original song. You may reuse parts of the previous assignments and show a fluent use of techniques taught in class. For sources you can use pre-recorded materials, such as sounds from freesound.org or ccmixter.

Project Proposal Writeup

Submit a project description that defines the following (choose whatever is applicable)

1. Choice of genre, style, function
2. A list of music materials: types of sounds, instrumentation
3. Technical notes: any special effect or sound design considerations
4. Compositional plan: the choice musical form (if you have one already), instrumentation, use of effects, automation
5. Artistic statement: description of the musical idea or motivation. .... also provide some motivation or inspirational blurb

Final Project Judgement Criteria

Criteria for evaluation of the musical composition will be:
1. Complexity of the project (technical execution)
2. Originality (musical idea)
3. Production Quality: avoid gross technical errors
4. Sizzle -  reactions you will get from peers in class.

5. Documentation - to be detailed later

6. Peer reviews - we will use soundcloud to comment on each other's work

Final grade will take into consideration both the composition and documentation.

Deconstruction presentations

The presentation of the deconstruction projects will take place in class Tu / Th. next week (Feb. 17/19). For the presentation prepare a one page document that contains the following:

• Name of the project / Title of the song
• Names of participants in the group project
• Historical background: the artist, when it was composed, artistic highlights
• Genre of the song
• Explanation of the song form: list of sections with names / functions
• Instrumentation and Effects: types of tracks, instruments and effects used
• Provide a list of specific aspects of the project you are going to demonstrate. 

Print a sheet with this information and bring it to class, and also email it to Mike before class.

During the class presentation you will explain the project according to the writeup and demonstrate it with your Ableton set. Have it open on your computer or bring it on a memory stick to load on the instructor machine. Remember to collect all and save.

Some example ideas or focal points for the presentation could be one or more of the following: overview of composition technique (choice of sound materials, form, variations, climax, transitions, resolution), elements of sound design, any special use or processing of sampled sounds, choice of instruments or effects, rhythmic, harmonic or melodic aspects, and so on. Also mention what you learned from this project, what difficulties you had and your accomplishments.

Topics for Review / Quiz 1:

1. Two views
2. Clips - Midi versus Audio
3. Signal Chain
4. Effects and Instruments
5. Compressor
6. EQ
7. Vocoder
8. Midi Effects: Arpeggio, Tonality
9. Impulse
10. Simpler
11. Routing
12. Master Track
13. Return Tracks
14. I/O selectors
15. Delay
16. Side Chaining
17. Clip controls
18. Warping types
19. Follow action
20. Warping markers and correction
21. Recording into clip, into session view
22. Automation / Envelopes