PAT 204/504: Creative Coding (Fall 2024)

   
Instructor Hao-Wen Dong (ude.hcimu@gnodwh)
Room Music 378 (Music Tech Lab)
Days & times 10:30am–12pm, Mondays & Wednesdays
Office hours 3–4pm, Mondays & Wednesdays @ Stearns 131 & Zoom

[Piazza] [Gradescope] [Canvas]


Important Notes


Description

An introduction to principles and practices of computer programming for musical applications. Students learn visual, procedural, and object-oriented programming in general-purpose and music-specific languages. Projects address important musical programming concepts including algorithmic composition, real-time interaction, and audio buffer processing. Emphasis is on creative and artistic uses of code.


Objectives


Schedule (tentative)

Week Date Lecture Project Assignment
1 Aug 26 Introduction    
    Processing Programming    
  Aug 28  ├ Programming Basics   Homework 1
2 Sep 2  ├ No Class (Labor Day)    └ due on Sep 6
  Sep 4  ├ Randomness & Keyboard Controls   Homework 2
3 Sep 9  ├ Loops & Recursion    └ due on Sep 13
  Sep 11  ├ Data Types & Arrays   Homework 3
4 Sep 16  ├ Objects    └ due on Sep 23
  Sep 18  ├ Lists & Data I/O Midterm assignment Homework 4
5 Sep 23  ├ 3D Graphics, Camera, Lighting  │  └ due on Sep 30
  Sep 25  ├ Scene Transformation  │  
6 Sep 30  ├ Motion & Physics  │  
  Oct 2  ├ Midterm Assignment Discussions  └ due on Oct 6  
7 Oct 7  └ Midterm Assignment Showcase & Review    
    MAX Programming    
  Oct 9  ├ Max/MSP Basics   Homework 5
8 Oct 14  ├ No Class (Fall Study Break)    └ due on Oct 18
  Oct 16  ├ Oscillators, filters, envelopes   Homework 6
9 Oct 21  ├ Subtractive, FM, AM, additive synthesis    └ due on Oct 25
  Oct 23  ├ Handling multiple synth instances, polyphony   Homework 7
10 Oct 28  ├ Sample playback & manipulation    └ due on Nov 1
  Oct 30  ├ Granular synthesis   Homework 8
11 Nov 4  ├ Audio effects    └ due on Nov 8
  Nov 6  └ Networking: MIDI, OpenSoundControl    
12 Nov 11 No Class (Travel)    
  Nov 13 No Class (Travel) Proposal  
    Advanced Topics    
13 Nov 18  ├ Generative systems    
  Nov 20  ├ Input tracking & interaction    
14 Nov 25  ├ Sound spatialization    
  Nov 27  ├ No Class (Thanksgiving)    
15 Dec 2  ├ Machine learning, feature extraction    
  Dec 4  └ Review    
16 Dec 9 Project presentation Presentation & final report  

Grading

All grading will be handled via Gradescope.

Homework 40% Midterm assignment 20%
 ├ Homework 1 5% Project 40%
 ├ Homework 2 5%  ├ Proposal 5%
 ├ Homework 3 5%  ├ Final report 15%
 ├ Homework 4 5%  └ Presentation 20%
 ├ Homework 5 5%    
 ├ Homework 6 5%    
 ├ Homework 7 5%    
 └ Homework 8 5%    

The final grading scale is as follows.

                   
A+ >96 B+ 87–89 C+ 77–79 D+ 67–69 F <60
A 93–96 B 83–86 C 73–76 D 63–66    
A− 90–92 B− 80–82 C− 70–72 D− 60–62    

Homework & Assignments

Assignment Content Out Due on
Homework 1 Bouncing “Hello, World!” Aug 28 Sep 6
Homework 2 Paddle Ball Game Sep 4 Sep 13
Homework 3 Spectrum Visualizer Sep 14 Sep 23
Homework 4   Sep 20 Sep 30
Midterm assignment Build Your Own Music Visualizer Sep 20 Oct 7
Homework 5   Oct 9 Oct 18
Homework 6   Oct 16 Oct 25
Homework 7   Oct 23 Nov 1
Homework 8   Oct 30 Nov 8

Project

  Due on
Proposal Nov 17
Presentation Dec 9
Final report Dec 15

Resources


Reading

There is no required reading. Here is some good optional reading:


Policies

Attendance

Course Recordings

Generative AI Usage

Plagiarism & Academic Misconduct

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities/Disability Statement

The University of Michigan recognizes disability as an integral part of diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable educational environment for students with disabilities. Students who are experiencing a disability-related barrier should contact Services for Students with Disabilities ((734) 763-3000 or ssdoffice@umich.edu). For students who are connected with SSD, accommodation requests can be made in Accommodate. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your SSD Coordinator or visit SSD’s Current Student webpage. SSD considers aspects of the course design, course learning objects and the individual academic and course barriers experienced by the student. Further conversation with SSD, instructors, and the student may be warranted to ensure an accessible course experience.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual misconduct — including harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We understand that sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success and we encourage anyone dealing with sexual misconduct to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need. Confidential support and academic advocacy can be found with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) on their 24-hour crisis line at (734) 936-3333. Alleged violations can be non-confidentially reported to the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE).

Mental Health and Well-Being

Students may experience stressors that can impact both their academic experience and their personal well-being. These may include academic pressure and challenges associated with relationships, mental health, alcohol or other drugs, identities, finances, etc. If you are experiencing concerns, seeking help is a courageous thing to do for yourself and those who care about you. If the source of your stressors is academic, please contact me so that we can find solutions together. For personal concerns, U-M offers many resources, some of which are listed at Resources for Students on the Well-being Collective website. You can also search for additional resources on that website.


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