Masters Thesis
The Creation of a Syllabus: Developing an International Baccalaureate Course for `Music Technology'
Level-3 Qualifications, typically taken between ages 15-18, are designed to be the final level of schooling before access to higher education. This report looks into existing research surrounding Level-3 Qualifications within the subject of `Music Technology'. It aims to outline the parameters which would comprise a `Music Technology' course and assess the current situation regarding pedagogy and the different approaches in this field. The report makes links the practices in a `Music Technology' field to international education standards such as the `International Baccalaureate (IB). This is to argue why it should be included as an option in the curriculum. The report is given from the viewpoint of an individual who studied under the IB curriculum but was not able to study this subject at a Level-3 standard. The report explores what `Music Technology' really is, what Pedagogy is, and how it relates to `Music Technology', and offers an overview of the IB and how its core structures can be linked to practices in `Music Technology'. The overarching goal of this report is to give evidence to the argument that `Music Technology' should be offered at IB level, and suggest a syllabus to be adopted by the IB.
Virtual Acoustics and Spacial Audio
An Exploration of Computerised Acoustic Modelling
Acoustic modelling is a process involving complex computational algorithms in the aim to improve or explore a given modelled space. Often this is to discover problem areas before a retrofit or build of a musical venue. concert halls and cathedrals are common explorations using acoustic modelling however, this is not where the applications are limited. Within this report the effectiveness of these techniques are explored when analysing the difference between the real space and modelled when the model is given constraints such as a low poly count.
Audio Signals & Psycho Acoustics
PureData Report - Tartini Tones
A combination tone is a psychoacoustic phenomenon that occurs when two tones are played and a third, resultant tone is heard. First coined as 'Tartini tones' after their discovery by 'Giuseppe Tartini'. This psychoacoustic phenomenon occurs when two pure tones are play at a frequency interval of greater than 50hz, this is where limits of acoustic beating can be perceived and is instead perceived as a separate tone. If played at a loud volume a third much quieter sub-harmonic will be heard, this being the frequency interval.
IOS Programming
MPE Style Synth Control on an iPad
I wanted deep gestural integration much like how the 'Roli Seaboard' uses pressure in addition to what amounts to an XY pad on each note. However, the screen on the iPad is not pressure sensitive and instead a constant pressure. This limits the expressive capabilities available to the user, not allowing velocity expression means that the overall performance can be hindered. However the XY pad on each note is possible as tracking position from a point is very possible.
Undergraduate Dissertation
Methods of Musical Interaction: An investigation into the tools utilised in a studio environment
Many names describe the role that a person facilitates in a studio scenario: artist, producer, engineer, writer. The system with which we choose to record music can greatly affect the outcome of the product. Speed, quality and comfort are all aspects of creating a record. The workings between an engineer and his chosen Digital Audio Workstation can be extended from mouse and keyboard to further their understanding of sound recording, the methods we use to mix, and the ways we interact with expressive instruments. Controllers can expand expressive capabilities can influence the creation of music, and devices that expand mixing capabilities have the ability to change the workflow and approach of an engineer, thus influencing the record. This investigation will examine the specifications of which the industry is built off and the technologies which facilitate mixing in and outside the DAW. It will also frame an argument into the inner workings and attitude of the developers in relation to the audio industry, presenting an experiment analysing how the usage of certain equipment can aid in the production of a record in a studio environment.