Nicolas Collins

This is a class is hardware hacking for audio applications (and a little video as well). No previous electronic experience is assumed. Basic soldering skills will be learned through building contact microphones and coils to sniff electromagnetic fields. We will then open up a range of battery-powered 'consumer' technology (radios, boom boxes, electronic toys), observe the effect of direct hand contact on the circuit boards, experiment with the substitution of components, and listen to unheard signals running through the circuit. Knowledge acquired through this process will be applied to building circuits from scratch (oscillators, amplifiers, fuzztones, sequencers etc.), both from documented designs and as invented by yourselves. Video and audio playback and performance as relevant to the class projects. Readings from the required textbook, Handmade Electronic Music -- The Art of Hardware Hacking. Numerous projects to be completed in and out of class; final project based on course material.

Students pursue individual projects which are critiqued in class, with occasional individual meetings as needed. Discussions include aesthetics and history of sonic arts as relevant to the work students bring in, concepts of critical listening, and technical issues speciHcally related to student projects (but this is not a course in general studio technique). Active participation in all critiques is expected. Students will be given access to only those studios that they have already used in previous sound courses. Open to students working with sound in other media (Hlm/video, installation, performance, etc.), as well as with ?pure sound?. This class is an occasion for students with advanced sound skills to receive critique (and course credit) for their work. Examples of sound work by other artists, as well as readings, are brought in as prompted by issues in student work. Students should expect to produce a body of work consisting of 3-5 finished pieces during the semester. In addition, the professor may assign a few compositional or technical exercises.

Taken every semester, the Graduate Projects courses allow students to focus in private sessions on the development of their work. Students register for 6 hours of Graduate Project credit in each semester of study.