Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music: Syllabus
This syllabus shows topics, reading assignments, quiz dates and due dates for assignments, exercises and the final project. Click on links to get instructions for them.
It's not essential to do the Pellman reading assignments, as long as you understand the lecture PowerPoint slides. We don't assign readings from software manuals, but we do have manuals available in the Open Reserve section of the Music Library, on the first floor. We have the Korg manuals in PDF format.
The dates given in the Dates column are for the Monday class.
| Dates | Topics | Assignments | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (1/7) |
Getting acquainted with the Korg — Introduction to MIDI | DUE Fri (1/11): Exercise 1 | |
| Week 2 (1/14) |
MIDI sequencing with Digital Performer — Quantization — Making drum tracks — Looping | Fill out Questionnaire | Pellman: Chapter 5 |
| Week 3 (1/21) |
MIDI hardware setups — Local control — Intro to mixing — Korg effects management | DUE Fri (1/25):
Assignment 1 |
|
| Week 4 (1/28) |
Remixing a song — MIDI messages and transmission — Mix automation — Creating and editing MIDI controller messages | Pellman: Chapter 6 | |
| Week 5 (2/4) |
Rearranging a song — Real-time MIDI effects — Synthesizer polyphony — Tempo changes | DUE Fri (2/8):
Assignment 2 |
|
| Week 6 (2/11) |
Introduction to Reason — Basic acoustics | DUE Fri (2/15): Exercise 2 | Pellman: Chapter 1, pp. 1-14 |
| Week 7 (2/18) |
Synthesis with Reason — More acoustics — Filters | Mon (2/18):
Quiz 1 Quiz Review |
Pellman, Ch. 3, pp. 61-80 |
| Week 8 (2/25) |
LFOs — CV and pattern sequencing — Sampling — Sample preparation in DSP-Quattro | DUE Fri (2/29): Assignment 3 | An Acoustics Primer Digital Audio Concepts |
| Week 9 (3/3) |
Introduction to audio in Digital Performer | Pellman, Ch. 9, pp. 267-289 | |
| Spring Break (3/10) |
|||
| Week 10 (3/17) |
Resonance — Formants and DP Spectral Effects — Soundbite tempo conformance — Fades | DUE Fri (3/21):
Assignment 4 Begin Final Project |
Pellman, Ch. 4, pp. 81-92 |
| Week 11 (3/24) |
Digital audio concepts — Mixing strategies | Pellman, Ch. 7, pp. 209-223 | |
| Week 12 (3/31) |
Audio effects: EQ, Delay, Reverberation — Making MP3s and audio CDs | DUE Fri (4/4): Exercise 3 | |
| Week 13 (4/7) |
Dynamics processing — Mastering | Mon (4/7):
Quiz 2 Quiz Review |
|
| Week 14 (4/14) |
Final project workshop | ||
| Week 15 (4/21) |
DUE Mon (4/21): Final Project |