Multichannel Audio Techniques for Composition and Installation
In this course we will approach music composition and sound design from a spatial perspective. Students will develop strategies for using various configurations of multichannel speakers to create original music compositions and site-specific sound art installations. Starting with mono and stereo, and moving towards larger systems such as quad, 8-channel, and 10-channel configurations as the semester progresses, students will explore audio spatialization techniques that can be applied to a variety of concert and installation opportunities.
Students will use original sound sources to explore different approaches to audio spatialization and digital signal processing using point source mixing of discrete audio sources as well as ambisonic recording and playback. Special emphasis will be given to critical listening that will help students gain a better understanding of the way sound and common effects such as reverb, delay, chorusing, and filtering work within a multichannel system. Additionally, students will learn how to set up and engineer various multichannel systems in analog, digital and networked settings. Skills developed in this course will prepare students for a wide variety of career paths that include audio engineering for live performance and sound design for theater.