Course Title: Incorporate interactive technology into performance

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: VART6080C

Course Title: Incorporate interactive technology into performance

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6104 - Advanced Diploma of Sound Production

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Martin Koszolko
Phone: 99253678
Email: martin.koszolko@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

No pre-requisites or co requisites are required

Course Description

In this course you will learn the theory utilised in the fusion of music technology and music performance.  You will learn specific skills and requirements to develop and present technology-based interactive music performances using Ableton Live.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSMPF502A Incorporate interactive technology into performance

Element:

Element 1      Generate ideas for enhancing performances through the use of interactive technology

1 .1 Undertake research to identify the range of creative ways in which interactive technologies can be applied to music performances
1.2 Listen to or view recordings of performances where interactive technologies have been used, as a way of generating ideas in relation to own music practice
1.3 Collaborate as required with appropriate personnel to ensure that a range of creative ideas are generated for incorporating interactive technology into planned performances
1.4 Identify factors that may affect how interactive technology can be incorporated into planned performances and adjust ideas accordingly

Performance Criteria:

.

Element:

Element 2      Prepare interactive elements

2.1 Use features of relevant software and/or electronic devices to generate a sample of interactive elements required for performances
2.2 Discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of work in progress with appropriate personnel
2.3 Incorporate feedback and new ideas into the preparation of interactive elements as required
2.4 Review and test interactive elements and make necessary adjustments to ensure that performances proceed as planned

Performance Criteria:

.

Element:

Element 3      Integrate interactive elements into performances

3.1 Incorporate interactive technology elements into own performance in line with agreed plan
3.2 Respond flexibly and effectively to contingencies to maintain the integrity of the performance
3.3 Interact considerately and constructively with stage management and other artistic, venue, studio and organisational staff as required
3.4 Respond promptly and effectively to musical, stage or studio direction
3.5 Contribute to a cohesive performance by taking and giving cues reliably, promptly, accurately and sensitively

Performance Criteria:

.

Element:

Element 4      Review performances

4.1 Assess own contribution to interactive technology aspects of performances in terms of success in achieving the required effect
4.2 Discuss strengths and weaknesses of performances with appropriate personnel and identify strategies for improving interactive technology aspects of future performances

Performance Criteria:

.

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to work with the Ableton Live software and appropriate midi hardware to control Live’s parameters in the context of technology-based interactive music performances.
You will also gain understanding of how Live can work alongside other platforms such as Avid’s ProTools, Cockos Reaper or Propellerheads Reason.
 


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

Class delivery (face to face lectures):
• Software and Equipment Operation Skills
• Peer teaching & class presentations
• Class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• Guest lectures
• Group Discussions
• Teacher directed group activities/projects


Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Online research
• Independent project based work
• Teacher directed activities


Teaching Schedule

Week Class content          Elements
Week1 Course Overview. Summary of Assessments. Work Group Allocation.
Software overview: Ableton Live.
  1.1
1.4
Week2 Audio effects and automation in Ableton Live.
Midi Controllers in Ableton Live.
  1.4
2.1
2.3
2.4
Week3 Midi mapping in Ableton Live.   1.4
Week4 Formative assessments:
- Practical Exercise Pt. 1
- Electronic music producer / performer interview – interview submission deadline.
  1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.1
2.4
3.1
3.3
4.1
4.2
Week5 Creating a drum beat, bassline and other elements of arrangement in Ableton Live.   1.2
1.3
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.4
Week6 Warping in Ableton Live.   1.2
1.4
2.1
2.3
2.4
3.2
Week7 Recording audio.
Editing, Mixing and Rendering in Ableton Live.
  1.1
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Week8 Formative assessment:
- Practical Exercise Pt. 2
  1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
Week9 Electronic music performance set up with Ableton Live.   1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
Week10 DJing with Ableton Live.
Key mixing.
  1.1
1.2
1.4
2.1
2.3
2.4
3.1
3.2
3.4
3.5
4.1
Week11 DJing with turntables or CD players – guest lecture.   1.1
1.4
2.1
4.2
Week12 Formative assessment:
- Practical Exercise Pt. 3
  1.1
1.4
2.1
3.1
Week13 Using the ReWire protocol. Connecting Ableton Live to other audio software.   1.1
1.4
2.1
3.1
Week14 Remixing in Ableton Live.
Using Cockos Reaper.
  1.1
1.4
2.1
2.4
Week15 Using Propellerheads Reason.
Overview of other interactive software: Max for Live / Max MSP, Forester
  1.1
1.2
1.4
Week16 Final summative assessment:
- Practical Test
  1.1
1.2
1.4
2.1
2.4
3.1
3.2
Week17 Assessment and review    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Blackboard, Media Annotation Tool. Class handouts.
Additional texts will be referred to throughout the unit delivery, all of which will be available in RMIT Carlton library.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You are expected to supply:
Note paper & pen.
Personal closed headphones.
Data storage: USB thumb drive or a portable USB or Firewire hard drive.


Overview of Assessment

Assessments include a series of practical tasks and a written task.

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this unit are either ungraded or graded. Ungraded tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for more substantial (graded) assessment tasks.
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

Formative:

1. Practical Exercise Pt. 1 (Week 4): 
    Set up a midi controller
    Assign midi parameters in Ableton Live
    Manipulate Live’s parameters with the controller, including recording midi messages.

2.  Electronic music producer / performer interview (Week 4):
     Find a producer of electronic music, a DJ or an artist performing electronic music live and interview him/her about various aspects of production or performance, as outlined by teacher.

3. Practical Exercise Pt. 2 (Week 8):
    Working in small groups construct an arrangement in Ableton Live’s arrangement view using samples and midi devices. As part of this exercise you are required to communicate and consult with your group members the technical and artistic direction of your project.

4. Practical Exercise Pt. 3 (Week 12):
    Prepare a DJ set in the session view of Ableton Live with 3 songs and additional samples mixed in key and/or beat mixed.

Summative:

5. Practical Tasks  (Week 16):
Students demonstrate their ability to utilise various elements of Ableton Live and related midi controllers to achieve a satisfactory interactive performance - against a set of requirements set out by teacher.



For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achived-Graded
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are
available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece
of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview