This course introduces students to technologies of music from historical, philosophical, and practical hands-on perspectives. We will consider music technologies from throughout history, from player pianos to synthesizers, radios to autotune, tape machines to DAWS. We will question whether these technologies are just tools or if they hold ethical values that connect to other aspects of cultural identity, such as gender, race, and sexuality. Topics of study include the physics of sound and psychoacoustics; case studies on compositional techniques such as musique concrète and electronic synthesis; studio mixing, recording and production techniques; and digital sampling and editing software. Students will develop a well-rounded twenty-first-century musicianship, becoming familiar with current techniques in recording, editing, and production. This course is required for Lang Contemporary Music majors/minors.

What is the relationship between technology and musical aesthetics? Since antiquity, composers have incorporated new tools to create unique and original artworks. This course will explore the interaction between sound, art, and technology in the recent past. Starting with the birth of electricity, Futurism, and Dada, students will examine the practices and innovations that led to the most current ideas about sound art and music technology, and from here develop contemporary analytical methods for exploring and creating music. Students will be assigned weekly reading, listening, and sound composition exercises, using commercial production tools.