Computers and music

Summary

In this class we will explore some of the fundamental ways in which the pervasiveness of digital devices has completely revolutionized the world of music in the last 40 years, both from the point of view of production and recording, and from the point of view of listening and distribution.

Content

Keywords

DSP, computer music, digital audio

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

digital signal processing, programming

Recommended courses

signals and systems, Python, C++

Important concepts to start the course

Digital signals, filters, spectral analysis

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Describe the fundamental techniques in digital audio recording and production
• Be able to avoid unwanted artifacts in sound recording and compression
• Recognize the typical acoustic footprint of classic synthesizers and audio effects
• Write working signal processing code to synthesize sounds and process audio
• Write code that interfaces to existing equipment via industry-standard protocols

Transversal skills

• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Summarize an article or a technical report.
• Write a scientific or technical report.
• Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.

Teaching methods

lectures

Expected student activities

• Attending lectures
• Writing code samples
• Solving exercises
• Read technical papers

Assessment methods

mini projects and/or final exam

Supervision

Resources

Bibliography

TBD

Notes/Handbook

handouts, papers and code samples

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/COM-418