Introduction to Programming for Musicians and Digital Artists

This course provides a complete introduction to programming for digital musicians and artists, in the real-time multimedia language ChucK. Rich with practical examples and pointers to additional web resources, it can be understood by novices wishing to learn to program interactive arts systems. 

About the Course

The course, lecture, and examples build on each other to teach the fundamentals of programming in general (logic, loops, functions, objects, classes) and also deals with advanced topics including multi-threading, events and signals.  Throughout the course, students create meaningful and rewarding expressive digital “instruments” that make sound and music in direct response to program logic.  The ChucK language provides precise high-level control over time, audio computation, and user interface elements (track pad, joysticks, etc.).  ChucK is used (unknowingly in most cases, via SMule Apps) by millions of users throughout the world, and is the backbone of dozens of academic programs and laptop orchestras.  Learning to program using ChucK, through the musical examples provided in this course, will prepare students to program in C++, Java, and other languages. There will be special guest lectures from creators of the ChucK language, Dr. Ge Wang (Stanford University) and Dr. Perry R. Cook (Princeton University).

Course Syllabus

WEEK 0: Introduction
0.1 Interaction Design
0.2 New Musical Instruments
0.3 Why do Digital Artists need to learn how to program?
0.4 Why Open source?
0.5 Why ChucK?


WEEK 1: Basics: Sound, Waves, and ChucK Programming
1.1 Introduction to Sound
1.2 Programming Basics
1.3 Timing
1.4 Control Structures
1.5 Example: Making Sound with Oscillators


WEEK 2: Libraries and Arrays
2.1 Libraries
2.2 Arrays
2.3 Example: Playing a Melody


WEEK 3: WaveTable Synthesis & Sound File Manipulation
3.1 Wavetable Synthesis
3.2 SndBuf
3.3 Example: Making a Sequencer


WEEK 4: Functions
4.1 Declaration
4.2 Advanced Techniques
4.3 Example: Making Chords


WEEK 5: Unit Generators
5.1 Global Special Unit Generators
5.2 Signal Generators:
5.3 Oscillators
5.4 Gain
5.5 FM and Filter Based Synthesis
5.6 Physical Models
5.7 Audio Effects
5.8 Filters
5.9 Envelopes
5.10 Example: Create a Band


WEEK 6: Multi-Threading and Concurrency
6.1 Parallel Processing, Concurrency
6.2 Machine Commands
6.3 A Software Architecture
6.4 Sporking
6.5 Example: Synchronization


WEEK 7: Objects and Classes
7.1 Objects
7.2 Classes
7.3 Example: Build a Smart Mandolin Player


WEEK 8: Polling vs. Events
8.1 Polling
8.2 Events
8.3 Common HCI Input Devices
8.4 Example: Play a Flute with your Keyboard

FAQ

Will I get a Statement of Accomplishment after completing this class?
Yes. Students who successfully complete the class will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by the instructor.