Course Title: Incorporate interactive technology into performance

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

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

Greg Long

greg.long@rmit.edu.au

9925 4815

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

Performance Criteria:

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
 

Element:

Element 4      Review performances

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

Element 2      Prepare interactive elements

Performance Criteria:

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
 

Element:

Element 3      Integrate interactive elements into performances

Performance Criteria:

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
 


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 Assessment Elements
Class 1

 

Ableton Live
An introduction to the Ableton Live and Max for Live software programs. These will be the main software applications to be used for the course and all assessments in this course. Students will need to complete independent learning activities outside of the class to attain the requisite competency level. Video resources will be made available to students to achieve this.


 

  Element 1
Class 2  Introduction
A look at key artists and technicians that are current leaders in interactive performance technology;
Explore historic overview of artists and technicians and their contributions to interactive performance technology;
Undertake research to examine the ways in which interactive technologies can be used in music performance.
A quick introduction to MIDI, with particular emphasis on “note on” and continuous control messages, how they can be used to control performance parameters and virtual MIDI instruments in Ableton Live.
A look at how HID, Human Interface Devices, can be used to control performance parameters and virtual MIDI instruments. Look at Makey Makey and how to program it using the online web interface.


Assessment Task

Explanation of the assessment requirements for this course. The assessment will be worked on both in the classroom and outside the classroom for the duration of the course.
For this assessment students will use Ableton Live Suite, Max for Live, along with a Makey Makey invention board and multiple input devices, create and execute an interactive technology performance.
 

Introduction of the Incorporate interactive technology into a performance assessment.
 
Element 1

Element 2


 

Class 3  Ableton Live
  • Deep dive into the Session View including:
  • Mapping scenes to computer HID inputs, including keyboards and mouses;
  • Using HIDs to control effect parameters;
  • Follow actions in clips; and
  • Recording automation into clips.

Drum, Instrument and Effects Racks:

  • Differences and similarities;
  • Standard Uses;
  • Creative uses; and Macro Controls
  • What they are and what they do;
  • Example uses;
  • Simple mapping and multiple parameter mapping using the M4L device, multimapper;
  • Mapping concepts and continuity between macros;
  • Using macros to change instruments in a single channel;
  • Macro Rack selection with MIDI CC and dummy clips; and
  • Using interactive controllers to control macros.

Assessment Task (Continued)
 

Introduction of the Incorporate interactive technology into a performance assessment.
 
Element 1

Element 2

Class 4 In depth look at Makey Makey including:
  • Identifying suitable control inputs;
  • Overcoming inherent limitations of the Makey Makey device
  • Mapping Makey Makey keystrokes into Ableton Live;

Max For Live (M4L)
Introduction the object based programming environment.
Researching existing M4L devices and assess suitability for use within the student’s Live Set.
(Due to the short duration of this course no Max For Live programming will be covered.)
Assessment Task (Continued)

  Element 1

Element 2

Element 3

Element 4

Class 5 Ableton Live
MIDI effects for live performance
  • Random - Generation of complex harmony, lead and bass from simple inputs using external interactive inputs.
  • Scale - how to conform incoming MIDI notes to a particular scale
  • Chord - building harmony from random and non-randomised events.

Assessment Task (Continued)
Identify factors that may affect interactive technologies, such as Wifi interference, and ensure these factors will not adversely affect the planned performance.

Incorporate interactive technology into a performance - continued Element 1

Element 2

Element 3

Class 6 Generative Music
Using Ableton’s MIDI effects to generate music with a minimum of user inputs.
  • Using simple technology interactions to generate “one note songs and loops”; and
  • Using MIDI Effect Racks to create complex generative music from limited input information using interactive technology.


Advanced Effect Routing and Dummy Clips
In conjunction with interactive inputs, use complex and advanced effect routing to change and modify performance parameters.

Assessment Task (Continued)
Discuss and collaborate in open class discussion progress, problems and proposed solutions to the assessment task.

 

Incorporate interactive technology into a performance - continued
Element 1
Class 7 IOS and Android Controllers
A look at using Android and iOS apps as interactive input and control devices.

Assessment Task (Continued)
Refine performance based on class discussions and feedback from other students.

Assessment Performance
Performances with interactive technology staged in a live performance environment.

Incorporate interactive technology into a performance - continued

Element 1

Element 2

Element 3

Class 8
Assessment Performance
Performances with interactive technology staged in a live performance environment.

Review
Class discussion of performance including strengths and weakness of chosen technologies and how this choices influenced the performance.


 

Incorporate interactive technology into a performance - continued Element
1

Element 2

Element 3

Element 4


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

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.
For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.

Assessment 1 of 1

Create and execute interactive technology performance.

 

This is a graded assessment task.

Using Ableton Live Suite and Max for Live, along with a Makey Makey invention board and multiple input devices, create and execute an interactive technology performance.


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 Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
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

Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/studentsPlease refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications

Attendance:
The major learning experience involves audio computer lab based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Student progress policy

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.
Special consideration appeals and discipline:

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview