DT2213 Musical Communication and Music Technology 7.5 credits

The chain of communication, the role of the musician vis-à-vis computer-generated music.

Labeling of musical structure: speed, phrasing, harmonic and melodic tension, repetitive patterns, articulation, accents, ensemble timing.

Emotion expression: composition's inherent expression, acoustic parameters and their mapping to emotion expression, synthesis, automatic recognition, comparison to other modalities (facial expressions, gestures, speech), cultural and embedded codes.

Connections to movement: dance, different gestures, end ritardando, and phrasing.

The musical context: concert, background, film music.

The MIDI standard: encoding, control options, Standard MIDI Files, General MIDI.

Synthesis; synthesis methods, sampling, physical models, sound libraries.

Computer tools: pd (pure-data), Director Musices, Digital Audio Workstations, musical notation software, sampling instruments.

Having passed the course, the student should be able to

• identify and explain principles of musical communication including structure, emotional expression and gestures in order to compare different music products
• select and use software to process music in symbolic form, in audio format, or through synthesis in order to influence the communication
• describe and analyse control aspects of musical instruments with respect to limitations, expressive freedom, and parameter mapping in order to modify these aspects in new prototypes
• apply results from scientific literature within musical communication in practice
• use programming languages for music in order to implement basic sound synthesis and process control data in real time

in order to

• receive a solid scientific understanding of basic principles of how music is communicated from musicians to listeners
• be able to apply this in new music applications, including new ways of musical interaction.

At least two of the following courses completed:

• DD1318 Programming technique and technical calculations
• DT1175 Sound
• DH1622 Human-Computer Interaction, introductory course
• DM1135 Signal Processing for media and communication technology or DT1130 Spectral transforms

or equivalent

The course is compulsary at the specialisation Audio Technology (LJD) at Degree Programme in Media Technology. The formal prerequisites vary depending on the student’s intended ultimate specialisation. Being able to play a musical instrument is useful but not required.

For KTH Media (compulsory): 2E1390/EN2100 Auditory Perception, 2F1410/DT1410 Audio Technology.

For Degree Progr. in Electrical Engineering (recommended): 2F1400/DT2400 Electroacoustics, DT2410 Audio Technology.

For Degree Progr. in Computer Science and Engineering (recommended): 2E1390/EN2100 Auditory Perception, 2E1395/EN2200 Pattern Recognition.

Whenever feasible, the course project groups will be assembled so as to contain participant from CMETE, CDATE, CELTE and the Royal College of Music. Such an integration is an important part of achieving the course goals.

KTH students may take this course in parallel with 2F1212/DT2212 Music Acoustics, also in period 4, which is a good complement. The resulting work load will be rather high.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Kjetil Falkenberg

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see:
http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex