View source for 220b-winter-2012/hw3

= Homework #3: "Generative Drum Machine + Soundscape" =

<div style="text-align: left;">[[Image:OmegaNebula.jpg]]</div>


In this assignment, you are to create a '''live generative musical system''' in ChucK, defining its parameters and creating a piece of music using the system (via real-time high-level input).

Due date: 2012.2.20 11:59:59pm (or thereabout), Monday.

('''NOTE: no late submissions will be accepted for this assignment''')


=== Tools at your disposal ===

* ChucK
* code
* keyboard, mouse


=== Specification ===

What to do:
* create a software system in ChucK that generates music "automatically" or "semi-automatically" (i.e., with limited "high-level" human interaction)
** a core component of this should be a '''generative drum machine'''
** also think about a overall '''generative soundscape''' the envelopes the drum machine
* use some of the synthesis elements we talked about (e.g., SinOsc, TriOsc, SqrOsc, Noise, Impulse, Step, ResonZ, OnePole, OneZero, BiQuad, LPF, HPF, ADSR, STK instruments, Comb filters etc.)
* use some of the technique we talked about (e.g., shreds, events, chance, lookup tables, Markov chains, etc.)
* expose some high level parameters (e.g., density, excitement, mood, texture) and control them using input
** for example: mouse, keyboard,
** (optional): use audio analysis as a control for the synthesis (e.g., using ChucK Unit Analyzers)
* here are some example ideas (you can use, combine, extend these, or go with something else altogether)
** modeling playing style of something percussive, or a group of instruments ("real" and/or imagined)
** model a particular musical style
** leverage or musically sonify a mathematical model or a computer algorithm
** a system that somehow evolves over time, giving a set of starting parameters
** invent something new/crazy!
* it might be helpful to design/partition your system into modules that you can exert independent control over, or that take care of different types of tasks/sounds in the system
* create/perform a composition using your system, paying attention to overall form, density, and texture throughout (think "sonic clouds"...)


=== Resources ===

Not all of these are directly relevant, but may serve as basic building blocks...

* for mapping your keyboard/mouse to your generative clouds [http://smelt.cs.princeton.edu/ S.M.E.L.T.]
* Graham Coleman's most excellent [http://www.dtic.upf.edu/~gcoleman/chuck/tutorial/tutorial.html tutorial on ChucK for Music]
* [http://chuck.cs.princeton.edu/doc/program/ugen.html ChucK unit generator reference] (check out the section on STK instruments, as potential starting points for ready-to-go instruments)
* [http://chuck.cs.princeton.edu/doc/examples/ ChucK examples]
* [http://chuck.cs.princeton.edu/doc/examples/stk/shake-o-matic.ck shake-o-matic] : virtual shaker player, again a potential building block.

=== Deliverables ===

'''As usual, turn in all files by putting them in your Library/Web/220b/hw3/ directory and email the link to Ge and Spencer.'''

* 1) create a hw3/ directory, and put all the stuff below in there:
* 2) index.html should go into the hw3/ directory
* 3) all related source/sound files (.wav/.ck) '''NOTE: You must turn in a .wav file showcasing a performance on your system. '''
* 4) a short README text ('''readme.txt''') file that:
** specifies instructions on running your programs
** describes your process/adventure, and perhaps the ideas (technical/aesthetic) behind the composition
** gives credit, if needed, for the sounds you are using
** describe any difficulties you encountered in the process
* 5) email Ge And Spencer

Have fun with it!