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Homework #3: "Granular"

milestone due 2016.2.16 Tuesday, in-class
final composition due 2016.2.22, Monday, 11:59:59

In this assignment, you are to explore and make use of Granular synthesis: 1) experiment with time-varying control over its parameters and 2) create a musical statement; it may be helpful to craft a live granular experimental testbed using physical input (keyboard, mouse, and/or joystick).

Tools at your disposal

ChucK
LiSa (Live Sampling); use multiple instances for layering / panning OR roll your own granularizer!
check out instrument redux and source sound from Twilight for laptop orchestra
recorded sounds (any, please give proper credit)
Audacity/Ardour (for intermediate + final recording/assembly)

Specification

What to do:

1) spend some time exploring and collecting different sounds (online or recording them; check out freesound.org)
- give proper credit as appropriate / note the origin of the sounds in your README
2) process/transform/arrange/compose.
- check out the code examples from class here
- use ChucK / LiSa to process/transform/arrange the sounds
- plan and create time-varying, continuous control over at least 2 parameters in the synthesis process (grain length, grain tuning, grain position, volume, envelope, density, or other)
3) think about using granular synthesis to create foreground musical gestures, soundscapes, layers
3) as before the bulk of the arranging should be done in ChucK, with intermediate editing and late-stage assembly in Audacity
- figure out what you want to do, experiment, try a lot of stuff, have fun

Deliverables

As usual, turn in all files by putting them in your Library/Web/220b/hw3/ directory + uploading to coursework

1) create a hw3/ directory, and put all the stuff below in there:
2) all related source/sound files (.wav/.ck)
3) 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
4) upload files to dropbox on coursework
5) email Ge and Tim (ge@ccrma, tsob@ccrma) with the URL of the web page

Thanks and have fun!!!