Assignment/Project #2: Music and Audio
Due Date: Thursday, October 19 @ 2pm
The assignment requires that you a) make a short "loop" piece using GB3 b) that you describe your decision making process. For "a", we will go through the process carefully in class and c) that you write 2 paragraphs or so describing how this type of music making is completely consistent with Manovich's position on "new media".
For part "b", your description of the process should be in the form of a "log". Imagine that some insidious piece of software was running on your computer (and perhaps in your brain) that could "record" your choices and then produce a kind of "play-by-play" of the critical decision points and selections. Your "log" should include then - a point-form listing of the process (not the little details) of making the piece PLUS a couple of paragraphs in the form of a self-evaluation or "critique" of the experience and outcomes.
For part "c" - write a short piece (2 paragraphs) indicating how digital audio/midi systems such as Garage Band or SONY ACID are truly "new media" in that they essentially comply in full with his requirements for a new media language or system. What is uniquely "computational" (so to speak) about this process?
Some useful links:
macjams , arstechnica, wired (Brian Eno)
What makes music good? (from class discussion)
- interesting and catchy melody
- rhythmic "feel" that matches the mood of the song
- strong emotional impact - often matched by musical style
- compelling lyrics
- interesting structure (or at least appropriate structure)
- good "sound" often associated with good performance/playing
- powerful singing (not used in our gband project however)
- use of contrasts - verse different from chorus for example
- instruments well-suited to style of music
- good ending (meaning - you can tell it is and should be over!)
- some special things like a great guitar solo or fabulous drumming...
How and What to Submit
- Complete Garage Band project (folder with everything including optional video clip)
- you must be certain that ALL the audio loops and any other necessary materials, files, audio clips, etc. are in the project folder
- your "report" (log and self-evaluation)
- your 2 paragraphs relating the work to Manovich
Once you have a CDROM with all your work, you must test this in a different MacOSX (Garage Band) computer. That is, take your finished CDROM and copy the project folder to another machine and verify that everything works (meaning, ALL the project files needed to run the GBand application).