Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Develop a depth of understanding of the advanced sound processing and synthesis techniques.
  2. Develop a depth of understanding of the research and design field; ‘New Interfaces for Musical Expression’ (NIME).
  3. Have the skills and knowledge to create novel interfaces for new musical practices.
  4. Have the skills for working with sound synthesis programming environment, microcontrollers, sensors and embedded systems

Credits: 6

Schedule: 24.10.2023 - 01.12.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Antti Ikonen, Anssi Alhopuro

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Technology has always played a central role in the evolution of musical instruments, as instrument builders adopt new equipment and methods in their work. Today, the increased use of digital technology in musical instruments, coupled with the demands of musicians to explore the potential of new instruments, has contributed to the growth of new musical practices. This course gives opportunity to students to learn and experiment with advanced sound processing and synthesis techniques to create novel interfaces for new musical practices. Composing with New Musical Instruments course invites students to learn how to use sensor technologies, microcontrollers, physical interfaces and thus confront fundamental concepts and technical issues faced during the process of making, building, composing and performing with new musical instruments. The course will be taught using the Pure Data programming environment and open-source physical computing platforms, accompanied by reading materials. Equally important part of the course is that we dedicate contact hours for student projects and students receive sufficient guidance, feedback and tutoring. At the end of the course students submit and present their projects.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Participation in teaching, completed assignments.

    Minimum 80% attendance.

    See MyCourses for more detailed information on evaluations methods and criteria.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    6 ECTS ≈ 162h

    Contact teaching 72h / Other 90h

    Lectures 30
    Workshop and practice-based work 42
    Independent reading and writing 42
    Reflection and thinking 30
    Other 18

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    4 Quality Education

    10 Reduced Inequality

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn II
    2023-2024 Autumn II

    Enrollment :

    Minimum amount of participants: 8
    Maximum amount of participants varies according to the implementation of the course.

    Registration for Courses: Sisu.

    Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture:
    https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts