Course: Sound synthesis and acoustics credits: 4

Sound - even before it is organized as music - at micro level; behavior of sounds at the source, both in an acoustic and synthetic context
- physical aspects of sound in sound synthesis context: amplitude, frequency, phase, timbre
- macro and micro modulation within sound; amplitude, pitch, phase, timbre
- subjective and objective sound description (Fourier analysis, sound classification, sound image description)
- overview of the use and application of synthesis techniques in different musical and production contexts: subtractive, FM, granular, vocoding, sampling, physical modeling, and hybrid intermediates
- skill in applying synthesis techniques: subtractive, sampling, FM and hybrid intermediates
- use of sound synthesis techniques for signal processing in a studio or live context
- realtime controlling techniques and sound synthesis
- Overview synthesis techniques: modulation synthesis (AM, RM, FM, Feedback FM, Waveshaping), Physical modeling, the Vocoder
- Introduction to basic concepts of signal processing (filters, time delay effects (phasing, chorus, flanging)
- Overview of musical input devices and how they can be used for modulation synthesis.
- All parts are worked out practically as much as possible using available (software) synthesizers
- physical aspects of sound in an acoustic context: amplitude, frequency, phase, timbre
- the physical functioning of the hearing
- behavior of sound in acoustic environments: acoustics of enclosed spaces; reverb; standing waves; reflection / absorption / diffusion / diffraction; insulation; energy-time considerations; frequency dependent directional characteristic
- perception of noise: critical bands, interference, time domain aspects
- sound perception: volume, pitch, timbre, direction and spaciousness