Arts Intensive

Art & Science of Sound

Course Description

Art and Science of Sound will explore sound and sound-related technology from the perspectives of practical and theoretical acoustics and electronics, applying these lessons to individual and group work in studio based sound design and musical composition. Students from the sciences and engineering will have a chance to apply their technical knowledge to the field of music. Musicians, composers, and aspiring producers will learn how sound behaves physically and how it can be recorded, processed, reproduced in new ways. 

We will examine the techniques for sound design and music production from both their artistic applications and their scientific and engineering underpinnings. Using CCRMA's Recording Studio and field recording exercises as focal points, we will study the science of sound recording, room acoustics, and multi-channel mixing and playback. Students will use what they learn to produce compositions and/or sonic art pieces.

We will use the textbook by Jay Kadis entitled Science of Sound Recording as our primary text and incorporate plenty of hands-on experience with sound equipment.

This course fulfills the Creative Expression (CE) requirement and also serves as prerequisite for entry into CCRMA’s Music 192A.

Meet the Instructor(s)

Eoin Callery

Lecturer, Music

Eoin Callery

Eoin Callery is an Irish artist who among other things creates electroacoustic chamber music, installations, sound art pieces, and builds instruments using found materials. He holds a BMUS from University College Cork (2008), MA from Wesleyan University (2010), and completed his DMA at Stanford University (2016). He is a lecturer at CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics) at Stanford University. Much of his work is focused on exploring acoustic phenomena – often feedback derived from both real and virtual systems – in live situations, and embedding sounds or gestures into layers of automated live electronic processes. Information about his work and recent performances can be found at eoincallerysound.com.