1>build a VSI (Very Simple Instrument)!
we want you to explore sensors and objects, its affordances and constraints and connect that in a coherent and expressive manner to an audiovisual system.
How can you capture a gesture? How can you make it meaningful?
Think out of the box, be curious about gestures and how you can capture them, see beyond the ‘normal’ use of sensors.
Explore new ways of synthesis and visual representation of sound but also relations between the gesture, media  and performance. Look around you, find gestures, investigate objects!

the rules are:  you can only use one sensor! 
have fun!!

1> complete the sample based step sequencer code from class:
– create a new class that will embed the functionality for each set of step buttons and corresponding sound.
– create many of these new objects and load different sounds

2> create your own sequencer!
you’re free to mix synth and sample based sequencers, explore new ways of seeing / controlling a sequencer, sound and visual feedbacks, patterns, tempo, …
2.a> create a very short composition or performance (2mins) and be ready to show to the class.

watch: ‘Haack…… The King Of Techno’ documentary on Bruce Haack 

have fun!

here’s the homework for this week:

1> create one interactive audiovisual system using FM synthesis using the point recorder and other approaches you might find useful to give mouse movement expression. Try to find ways to extract useful data from the mouse motion (angle, velocity)

2> watch: Modulations
2.a> choose one artist/collective featured in the documentary, research about him/her and be ready to do a  presentation (5 min).
(why you like the artist is important but we want to know more than that!
why was him/her featured? contextualize, movements associated, etc… )
Post the research on your blog.

reading: Computer Music Tutorial chapter on FM synthesis

.extra> try to implement one of the different modes of FM explained in the book.

here’s the homework for this week:

1> create one interactive audiovisual system using AM synthesis. bonus points for creative interfaces using minimal input control (keyboard input, mouse) but also rich and coherent visual output.

2> working in groups of two, create a sequencer that allow you to compose music by controlling some parameters of synthesis over time.   then, create some music with this tool.

reading: Computer Music Tutorial chapter on AM/RM synthesis 

watch: Bassline baseline – Nate Harrison’s excellent short-doc on the history of the Roland 303.
http://nkhstudio.com/pages/popup_bassline.html 
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLQwwtjtiY4 
have fun!

here’s the homework for next week:

1.a> create the most harmonious sound using additive synthesis

1.b> create the most terrible/unpleasant sound using additive synthesis

p.s.: revisit Walter Lewin talk on harmonics!

2> create a very simple audiovisual system:
animate an object (basic geometric shapes only!) on screen . The object can move freely, bounce, cycle,etc..
Use its motion properties to control the frequency of an oscillator
(feel free to explore motion, number of objects, number of oscillators)

3> push the limits of your machine and try to add as much oscillators / sine waves to your additive synthesis

4> watch the documentary: “MOOG – the documentary” we’ll discuss it in class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5HRa9nEVVU

have fun with sine waves!