teaching

Physical Modeling of Sound

Location: Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM), University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria

Objectives: Fundamental knowledge in physical modelling of sound generating objects, as well as in the acoustical effects of physical properties (materia, shape and dimensions, boundary conditions, etc.). Students are able to identify the factors of physical processes that are essential for the perceived sound, simplify them if necessary, and synthesize them using digital audio processing methods.

Content: The course combines existing basic knowledge in acoustics, digital audio processing and sound synthesis in order to gain a deeper understanding of the physical creation of sound. Physical basics of oscillating systems are considered, starting with the mechanical spring pendulum (and its equivalents such as electric resonant circuit and cavity resonator), up to multidimensional cavity and surface resonance systems. On the basis of concrete examples (simple physical objects, electrical circuits, musical instruments, voice, room acoustics, etc.), common methods of physical modeling such as modal analysis / modal synthesis, digital waveguides and lumped mass-spring networks are derived and put into practice. Building on existing skills in programming with Pure Data (Pd), the theoretical models are implemented as digital synthesis models and individually extended on the basis of specific tasks.

source-code & slides

Do-It-Yourself Electronics 2

Location: Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM), University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz, Austria

Objectives: Building on "DIY Electronics 1", students are familiar with elementary applications in the field of "Physical Computing". The existing knowledge in "Electronic Hacking" and "Circuit Bending" is extended by digital microprocessors. The students have the basic knowledge of digital controls based on microprocessors in theory and practice. They are able to design their own electronic devices using sensors and actuators - from MIDI controllers, to controlling sound generators, to autonomous instruments and automated sound installations.

Content: Experiments are conducted with digital controls using up-to-date microcontrollers. Here you will use different sensors (knobs, switches, touchpads, accelerometers, etc.) to control actuators (motors, servos, solenoids, etc.) or analog electric circuits. Finally, own electronic devices will be created, ranging from MIDI controllers and the control of sound generators to autonomous instruments and automated sound installations. As a didactic approach, in the age of "Maker" culture, "DIY: Do it Yourself!" serves as a hands-on workshop for making your own sound generators, in the sense of DIY, as opposed to "Do It Like Others".

source-code & slides