Project 7: Composition

Project 7 is an ambitious computer music composition that you create by combining techniques we have explored throughout the course. Your goal is to create a composition that is technically ambitious (combining at least four major techniques in Nyquist), and is a compelling listening experience (you might like to listen again to some of the music examples presented throughout the course). As always, you may optionally use DAWs such as FL Studio, Ableton, Logic, etc. to mix, edit, master, etc. — but we expect you to focus your work on Nyquist programming techniques covered in the course. Your piece may of course be created using Nyquist alone.

Assessment

There is no formal assessment of this project. Unfortunately, we have neither the staff nor the AI capability to evaluate your work or give constructive feedback. You should conduct a self-assessment in which you consider the following:

1. Completeness – Audio requirements are fulfilled and text is included according to specifications below.

2. Composition quality – Your piece should demonstrate effort exploring musical and technical possibilities and should present an interesting listening experience.
3. Mixing – The various sounds created for your piece should be mixed with intentionality. You should control the amplitude of all sounds over time so that they are balanced and the listeners’ attention is focused to aspects of the music which you wish to highlight. Your piece should contain no common mixing errors such as clipping or clicks. If you wish to include these types of sounds intentionally for artistic effect please explain this in your program notes and explain your reasoning for why this decision was made.
4. Significant use of Nyquist – Your piece must include at least four major techniques explored in the course, for example: granular synthesis, FM synthesis, spectral processing, pattern generation, physical models, sampling/looping, etc.

Audio Requirements

• Stereo or multichannel file
• WAV format
• 16 bits, 44.1 kHz
• No clipping
• Must be normalized
• Must not contain long periods of silence
• 60-120 seconds long

Questions

Write a personal statement with answers to the following questions:

1. What is your motivation in this work? Give a short summary.
2. What special efforts did you make in composing this piece?
3. What mixing techniques you use in this work? Try to be concise.
4. What Nyquist programming techniques did you use in this work?
5. Do you have any additional comments?

Program notes

Write public program notes with the following information:

1. On the first line: the title of your composition.
2. On the second line: the name by which you would like to appear in a concert program.
3. After that: your program notes.

Submission