Syllabus (pdf 64k)
Outline Text (pdf 2.6MB)
Studio Microphone Techniques (pdf 388k)
Performance Hall Microphone Techniques (pdf 332k)

Reading Materials
Introduction Chapter

Be able to explain how composers began to think of music and the direction it should take beginning in the late nineteenth century.
Know the names of the Italians that wrote important treatises or "manifestos" concerning the new music.
Be able to explain the "Futurist" movement, what it tried to do, and who were important to this movement.

Chapters on Instruments

In general, you need to know the basics: Name of the electro-mechanical device, who invented it, approximately when it was invented, and enough knowledge of how the instrument worked to be able to explain how composers used it, primarily, were composers able to manipulate pitch, volume, change timbres, etc. BE SURE TO READ THE MATERIALS GIVEN TO YOU IN CLASS!

Devices to know

• Singing Arc
• Telharmonium
• Theremin
• Ondes Martenot
• Hammond Organ
• Phonograph/Gramophone/Radio
• Tape Recorder/Musique Concrete

Listening Examples (be able to recognize the title, composer, and significance of the work)

• Track 1: Ballet Mechanique by George Antheil (two airplane propellars)
• Track 2: The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens (Theremin)
• Track 3: Melody by Joseph Schillinger (Theremin)
• Track 4: Equatorial by Edgar Varese (ondes martenot)
• Track 5: Turangalila Symphonie 3rd movement by Oliver Messiaen (ondes martenot)
• Track 6: Cartridge Music by John Cage (phonograph)
• Track 7: Poeme Electronique by Edgar Varese (tape music)
• Track 8: Phonemena by Milton Babbitt (tape & soprano voice)
• Track 9: Synchronism No. 6 by Mario Davidovsky (tape and piano)
• Track 10: Squib Cakes by Chester Thompson & Tower of Power (hammond organ)

Reading Materials
Walczyk Historical Outline - Chapter on Synthesizers

Be able to:

• explain the difference between analog and digital synthesizers
• give a brief overview of the history of the synthesizer since the RCA Mark I and II
• tell who the primary (analog) synth makers were during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s
• list the primary digital synths of the 1970s
• explain VCO - voltage controlled oscillators
• explain DSP - digital signal processing
• explain oscillator, filter, and amplifier

Chapters from Samuel Pellman's "Electroacoustic Music"

Chapter 1 - "From Sound to Electricity and Back"

• define the following terms - frequency, intensity, and timbre
• explain how envelopes are utilized in sound design (ADSR)
• understand the basic procedures needed to connect microphones
• have a working knowledge of the terms as found on page 29

Chapter 4 "Multiple-Track Recording"

• define the following terms - multitrack, overdubbing, synchronization, mixing (mixer) equalization (EQ), peaking, panning, and outputs
• illustrate the connections of a 4-track tape deck
• describe mixdown processes

Chapter 5 "The Musical Instrument Digital Interface"

• define the following terms - MIDI, interface, monophonic, polyphonic, keyboard splitting, velocity sensitivity, pitch bend, modulation wheel, presets, MIDI in, MIDI out, MIDI thru, note on, note off, sequencer.
• describe (in general) control change messages
• illustrate the connections of a typical MIDI studio set up