MUS 358 : Special Topic: Musical Interface Design
Creative Arts and Industries
2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Advancements in computer technology have eased access to the development of new musical interfaces. Easy-to-use hardware and software can be now used to extend the creative potential of traditional instruments (e.g. adding sustain and vibrato to piano), to invent completely new instruments, and to create sound-based interactive installations. In this course, student will gain the ability to design and develop simple musical interfaces. This ability can be beneficial for a student cohort in Music in several ways. Performers will be able to create a custom version of their instrument, thus precisely tailoring their personal performance practice to their vision and aesthetic. Sound artists will learn new technical skills to create sound-based interactive installations. Students of music technology will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills that that will enable them to engage with engineers and designers for real-life musical applications.
The course will offer students the possibility to (i) develop a critical understanding of the design process of new musical interfaces; (ii) gain basic audio programming skills with Pure Data; (iii) learn how to convert body gestures and/or interactions into sounds by using Bela, an open-source embedded systems for interactive systems.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Design a new musical interface for performance or sound art. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
- Demonstrate competency in the design process of a new musical interface (Capability 1 and 3)
- Contribute to a critical discussion of peer-developed instruments and of other commercially available interfaces. (Capability 2 and 4)
- Learn basic audio programming skills using an open-source software (Pure Data, Supercollider) or programming languages (C++). (Capability 1 and 3)
- Learn how to program an open-source hardware (Bela) to convert physical gestures into sounds. (Capability 1 and 3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual design of a new musical interface | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Create a Pure Data/SC/C++ patch following specific assignment guidelines | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Submit a report commenting the interface developed by other students | 10% | Peer Coursework |
| Create a performance-ready prototype a new musical interface | 60% | Individual Coursework |
| Formative assessment | 0% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Conceptual design of a new musical interface | ||||||||||
| Create a Pure Data/SC/C++ patch following specific assignment guidelines | ||||||||||
| Submit a report commenting the interface developed by other students | ||||||||||
| Create a performance-ready prototype a new musical interface | ||||||||||
| Formative assessment | ||||||||||
Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances which prevent the completion of an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate, prior to the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 10 hours of lectures, a 15 hour tutorial, 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 120 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).
In the event of unexpected disruption
We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.
Copyright Warning Notice
This material is protected by copyright and has been copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may not sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of this course pack/material to any other person. Where provided to you in electronic format, you may only print from it for your own private study and research. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.