WEEK 5

Creative Computing : Week 5 - Unit Generators

Task : Create a synthesiser code patch that demonstrates your understanding of unit generators. The code patches will need to select a form of synthesis (such as FM, AM,Additive etc) and integrate the base components of a synthesiser including pitch,amplitude and modulators.

Click here to download the code.

References :
(1)Haines, Christian."Creative computing : Semester 1, Week 5. Unit Generators." Lecture presented at the Electronic Music Unit, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 29/03/2007.
(2)McCartney , James et al 2007,SuperCollider Inbuilt Help.
(3)Source Forge,http://supercollider.sourceforge.net/
(4) SuperCollider Help Book

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Audio Arts : String Recording
String instruments represent a group of instruments whose sound is produced by a string vibrating in a resonant body, chamber or sound board. The physical structure and playing mechanisms vary significantly between violins, viola, cellos, guitars and pianos.The manner in which they are played varies and includes techniques like bowing, plucking, striking, scraping or a magnetic field.
One of the most important characteristics shared by all instruments in the string family is the wide range of tonal colours that different instruments are capable of producing. This is principally due to the individual qualities of the wood used in their construction, the details of their internal design and the skill and technique of the performer.
The best position for the microphone is far easier to understand than to know how the particular instrument works .However,in order to be highly succesful, learning the frequency spectrum of the instrument, where and how the sound is produced, how it radiates into the room will help you in making better decisions.

Recording Example : For my recording exercise I invited Ruth Saffir - Lecturer in Cello and Pedagogy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the President of the Dalcroze Society of South Australia.She is a cellist with many years' experience as a performer and teacher. Contact : (ruth.saffir@adelaide.edu.au)

I remember the first time I met Ruth was outside the Elder Office. My first day of uni and she took me to level 5 (EMU) and introduced me to christian. She was my Aural teacher last year , helping me train my ears. Thank you very much Ruth, for coming to the studio and helping me out.

Microphones Used :
Beta 52 : close miked to the f -hole , left of the player
AKG 414 : close miked to the f -hole , left of the player
Newman Kmi : little far as compared to AKG from the f -hole , right of the player.
U 87 : Room microphone, 3-4 metres infront of the player at ear level.

The most levels I have used in the mix is Beta 52 and U-89, whereas the other micophones are nearly half of their levels.It sounded too bright and detailed when close microphones were up.The scratch recording I initially did, ruth pointed out it be really "dry" but then room microphone levels were quite less and it was placed parallel to the instrument nearly 4-5 metres way.After changing its placement and giving it a little more gain , I tend to really like the warmness and space reverbrations.

References :

(1)Grice, David.2007.Tutorials on Audio Arts (3).27 March'07.University Of Adelaide.2007
(2) Readings on My Uni.Music Technology(3)2007.
(3)Robjohns, Hugh 1999, Strings Attached, Sound on Sound, viewed 2/4/ 2007,
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr99/articles/recstrings.htm