MMEA Presentation: Majoring in Music Technology

Announcement, Research, Teaching

This page contains a PDF version of the slides I am using for the Michigan Music Education Association’s Summer Technology Workshop 2018 (event link).

MajoringTech.pdf

Majoring in Music Technology: An Introduction to Undergraduate Music Technology Programs in Michigan

The presenter will discuss the similarities and differences between various music undergraduate technology majors offered by the 4-year universities and community colleges in Michigan. The session will also provide tips on the application procedure and portfolio preparation.

Elegy No. 2 – for violin and computer

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Click here to download the score and the SuperCollider patch

Elegy No. 2 is a piece for violin and computer. The piece was commissioned by Sarah Plum. This recording is a preview of the piece that will be recorded and premiered in early 2018.

Elegy No.2 can be performed with a minimal technical setup. The minimum equipment required for the piece is a laptop. The operation of the patch used for the piece is also done by the performer. In other words, it is a portable piece.  I also made a video for setup and explanation of the piece:

Hardware Setup

• Ideal Devices Needed: audio interface, microphone, computer, speaker, pedal
1. Connect the interface to the computer
2. Select the interface as the main source of input and output for the computer
3. Connect the output of the interface to the speaker
4. Place the microphone close to the violin
5. Use space bar of the keyboard to advance through cues (read section II)
6. Alternatively, connect a pedal to the computer or the interface. A page-turning

 

• Minimum Devices Needed: laptop, speaker

1. Connect the output of the laptop to the speaker
2. Place the laptop’s microphone close to the violin
3. Use the space bar of the keyboard to advance through cues

The balance between the computer sound and the violin sound should be 50/50. When possible, try to match the computer part’s volume to an unamplified sound of the violin

Software Setup

• The computer uses a free program called SuperCollider and the composer’s SuperCollider file • SuperCollider can be downloaded from http://supercollider.github.io/download

• Elegy2.scd can be downloaded from http://www.joowonpark.net/elegy2

• To run the file:

1. Open Elegy2.scd in SuperCollider
2. In Menu, select Language -> Evaluate File. A GUI window will appear
3. Hit Space Bar (or pedal with a proper setting) to advance through the cue 4. To stop, press Command+period (.) For windows, press control+period. 5. Repeat steps 2-4 to play the piece again

• For performance at a large space increase the value of ~dry in line 15 to 0.5-1.0. This will make the sound of the violin come out from the speakers

 

PS Quartet No.1 – for game controllers and computers

Compositions, Research, ,

PS Quartet No.1 is a piece for Sony DualShock 4 Controllers and computer. All sound and graphics were created with SuperCollider. This piece is written for small to large laptop ensembles.

The piece was premiered and recorded by EMEWS (Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State). In the recording above, the piece was performed by the following members (from left to right)

  • Sean Monaghan
  • Laura Apolloni
  • James VanRysseghem
  • Joey McLennan
  • Charles Moore

This piece can be performed by anyone with a PlayStation controller and a computer. Instructions, scores, and necessary codes are available at the following link:

https://app.box.com/s/xnivx2nxyisjzsiydeb8t9zgkrhtvph1

I am particularly happy with the score of the piece!

demopage

Instructions for Hardware and Software Setup 

Hardware

  • 4 X Playstation 4 Dualshock Game Controller
  • 4 X Computers running SuperCollider ( http://supercollider.github.io/download )
  • 4 X Audio Cables to connect the computer’s audio output to the speakers
  • 4 X Speakers (or to the house mixer if)
  • Each part can be performed by multiple performers if more hardware is available

Syncing PS4 controller to the computer via Bluetooth (preferred method)

  1. Turn the computer’s Bluetooth on. Open Bluetooth preference
  2. Hold PS+Share Buttons in the Dualshock Game Controller for few seconds until the light starts to blink
  3. The controller will appear as Wireless Controller in the Bluetooth Preference. 
  4. Click Pair
  5. For PC, use DS4Windows (http://ds4windows.com/) to connect DualShock
  6. Demo video available at https://youtu.be/HtVqxt4RMns 

Connecting PS4 controller to the computer via USB 

  1. Turn off the computer’s Bluetooth to avoid a possible confusion
  2. The controller should be automatically paired with the computer whenever it is on

Software Setup

  1. Download the SuperCollider codes from joowonpark.net/psquartet1 
  2. Turn on the controller before opening SuperCollider
  3. Open SuperCollider
  4. Each performer opens one of the files from PSQ1-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass according to his/her part and the connection (there are different files for USB and Bluetooth)
  5. Go to Menu->Language->Evaluate File. The screen will become black and the patch is ready to start.
  6. To quit or stop, press command+. (period) or an equivalent shortcut of Stop in Menu->Language

Monophonic Triplets (2017) for Multiple Desktops

Compositions

Monophonic Triplets was inspired by Poeme Electronique, which introduced site-specific electronic music to a great population in 1950’s. It is also my attempt to convert a ubiquitous space and tool into an expressive instrument.

 

The video above is a small-scale demo and a technical demonstration. Imagine this piece in a computer lab or a gallery. The piece can be easily transferred and extended to a large number of computers.

If you are interested in running Monophonic Triplets in a computer lab or a gallery, contact me at joowon(at)joowonpark(dot)net. I can create a customized code for any number of computers.

Link to SuperCollider Codes for Monophonic Triplets Quintet Version