Topics in Interactive Media (376-0-21)

Topic

Digital Musical Instrument Design

Instructors

Stephan Moore

Meeting Info

Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Mon 5:00PM - 8:50PM

Overview of class

Digital Musical Instrument Design approaches Human Computer Interaction through the lens of artistic creation in sound. Its perspective sits at the intersection of design, engineering, musicianship, and the sonic arts. This course will introduce students to fundamentals of creating their own musical instruments using highly-accessible modern technologies in hardware and software. We will explore the influence and feedback between the tool (e.g. an instrument), the tool user (a musician/producer), the creative output (the music), as well as the audience. Along the way, we will learn about user interaction design, physical computing (using Arduino), sensor technologies, signal creation and interpretation (using Max or PureData), and musical expression. Students will create a new musical instrument by the end of the course and the final project will involve a performance using their instrument.

Enrollment will be by permission only, students interested in taking this course should fill out the DMID Questionnaire by February 19, 2026. The questionnaire can be found at https://forms.gle/or6jsSBPFGdXV5ty6

Registration Requirements

By February 19, 2026, fill out the questionnaire at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck3-zRRZN8PrPsk1gyPPloUO4hFzUN6L0JzmYjIaXktNJAxw/viewform?usp=publish-editor Students will be informed of enrollment decisions by end of day February 21.

Class Materials (Required)

There are no required books for this course, all texts will be provided online. The electronics parts and tools used to create your projects will be provided. The software needed to run your projects is either free to use, or can be used free during a 30-day trial period. Max, one of the software packages used, can be extended beyond its 30 day trial for $12.95/mo on personal computers, or can be used for free in the SoundTank computer lab.

Class Notes

This class is cross-listed as COMP_SCI 375.