SIAL - SSCAD

SSCAD
Spatial Sound Composition and Diffusion Elective

SIAL Team:
Lawrence Harvey
Jeffrey Hannam

Michael Hewes, guest lecturer

The student project for Semester 2, 2006 will be to design soundscapes for an Urban Environment; the 16 channel soundscape system in North Atrium of Federation Square. Course participants will have the opportunity to make a short sound design for this system as the final project outcome of the course. Full details of the SSCAD course are available at: sound.sial.rmit.edu.au

Information

1. COURSE IDENTIFICATION
2. School Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory Sound Studios,
School of Architecture and Design
3. Course code and title PERF2053 Spatial Sound Composition and Diffusion
4. Credit points 12 credit points
5. Teacher guided hours Three hours per week
6. Learner directed hours Six hours per week
7. Duration One semester
8. Mode of delivery Mixed mode (see below)
9. Pre-requisites None
10. Co-requisites None
11. Course coordinator Lawrence Harvey, lawrence.harvey@rmit.edu.au, 9925.9786
Sound Studio Assistant, Jeffrey Hannam jeffrey.hannam@rmit.edu.au
Michael Hewes, guest lecturer

COURSE DESCRIPTION
What is this course about?

This course will provide a practice based learning context where participants investigate complex spatial sound composition and diffusion using the SIAL Sound Diffusion System. For performances, the system currently includes around 22 loudspeakers. A smaller array is installed in the Sound Studios and available to participants undertaking this elective for course activities, experiments, and workshops. This course comprises lectures, listening based course work and individual studio time, so participants may conduct their own creative endeavours investigating spatial sound experience in ‘sound-only’ contexts such as concerts, digital media, and mixed mode contexts such as surround sound for film and games and other real-world scenarios not mediated by digital media. With the advent of cost effective technologies for delivery of multi channel audio, the experience of spatial sound is now available via small home based systems, through to large-scale theatres and performance venues. These operation and application of these systems and analysis of associated content – or repertoire – will form a key component of this elective.

OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
What can I expect to learn by studying this course?

Participants will:

be able to prepare a spatial sound composition for performance or other forms of presentation in a public context,
understand and communicate concepts that demonstrate their knowledge of spatial sound composition,
document of a time-based spatial sound composition and/or performance – diffusion score and other schema – to assist analysis, performance or other research endeavours,
be able to critically assess a spatial sound design in performance, installation or other digital media application,
understand the relationship between listener experience and spatial sound composition and diffusion strategies in ‘sound-only’ and other digital media contexts.

Capabilities
Participants in this course will:

develop practical skills and knowledge applicable to spatial sound diffusion in a range of media,
be able to prepare electroacoustic composition(s) and supporting documentation for public performance,
be able to analyse, reflect and communicate concepts related to spatial sound composition and diffusion using digital media, in ‘sound-only’ and audio/visual contexts
develop an understanding of, and practical skills for creating spatial sound diffusions that will enhance the listener experience in performance, installations and non-linear media formats such as games.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
What opportunities does the course provide for me to learn? What will I be expected to do?

The elective will comprise:

a series of formal lectures, workshops and tutorials in the SIAL Sound Studios,
self-directed investigations using media such as stereo sound recordings, multi-channel sound recordings, film and new media including games,
an end of semester public performance,
guest lectures and site visits,
self-directed reading and listening from lists provided by the lecturer and literature reviews
preparation of ‘diffusion score’ and/or other schema,
maintaining an individual Studio Folio through which to trace individual development and describe the technical, aesthetic and perceptual issues explored.