Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 3

Schedule: 20.05.2019 - 24.05.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Antti Ikonen

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Antti Ikonen

Contact information for the course (valid 08.05.2019-21.12.2112):

For any question or problem please write me at: andrea.mancianti@gmail.com

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  This course is intended to serve as an open platform to discuss, design and develop projects and theories around tangible and auditory interfaces.

• Applies in this implementation:

  Time Turned into Space (TtiS) 
  Spatial sound composition workshop (5 full days)

  
  
  
  
  The current wave of VR technology has given new impulse to the discussion around the so called spatial sound. But what does this term mean and how to integrate space in musical and sonic thinking, besides the obvious recreation of a “realistic” scene in video games or movies, is still an ongoing struggle.
  
  
  This course intends to intruduce the students to some of the technics of the discipline and stimulate, using a hands-on, creative approach, reflection and creativity to make use of spatial resources in composition and sound design. The course thus integrates a more discursive part in the mornings and a practical workshop, in the afternoon.
  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  This course is intended to serve as an open platform to discuss, design and develop projects and theories around tangible and auditory interfaces. At least 80% attendance needed + possibly an excercise done.

• Applies in this implementation:

  • The first part consists of theoretical introductions in which techniques and examples of spatial sound from history of music, sound and media art are presented and discussed. The students will learn how to analyse and problematise the relationship between sound and space from a compositional perspective, and to become aware of the diversity of approaches. This phase is carried out by listening to examples and documental materials from a wide range of styles and periods and open discussion. Student will also be requested to analyse and present relevant examples from the spatial sound literature.
    
    
  • The second part is a practical workshop where simple tools for spatial sound are presented to the students, and each will produce and discuss a small sketch or prototype for a piece exhibiting a spatial character. The form of the piece and the software environment to be used is free, although some examples will be offered using meanly Reaper, Ableton Live and Max Msp. 
    
    
    At the end of the course there will be a moment where every piece is presented in an adequate multichannel listening space, and discussed.

Workload

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  50% of lectures, 50% of group work. 36 h teaching.

DETAILS

Study Material

• Applies in this implementation:

  During the course pdfs and online material will be provided.

Prerequisites

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  background in sound processing (optional)

Registration for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  In Weboodi, at the latest one week before the course starts

   

  The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017)

  The order of priority is as follows:

  1. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);
  2. exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;
  3. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;
  4. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year
  5. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
  6. students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;
  7. students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
  8. students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);
  9. other students.

   

  Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.

  This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course.

   

• Applies in this implementation:

  It is important that each student could be able to independently work in the brief time at disposal. Bringing their own laptop or having access to a machine is strongly encouraged, although pieces not including computers or any technology whatsoever are also possible.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  Day 1. 20.05.19 
  09:15 - 12:00 presentations and brief introduction to the course and the field 
  13:00 - 17:00 preliminary discussion of the personal projects - introduction to tools & techniques. Soundwalk.
  
  
  Day 2. 21.05.19 
  09:15 - 12:00 Student Presentations 1 (repertoire)
  13:00-17:00 composition questions - individual meetings & project definition
  
  
  Day 3. 22.05.19 
  09:15 - 12:00 Student presentations 2 (a project of their interest)
  13:00-17:00 individual meetings / independent work
  
  
  Day 4. 23.05.19 
  09:15 - 12:00 individual meetings / independent work
  13:00-17:00 individual meetings / independent work
  
  
  Day 5. 24.05.19 
  09:15 - 12:00 Final student presentations & discussion
  13:00-17:00 Final student presentations & discussion