TECH 105 - Sound Collage

FC CNDP WINT

4 credits
An exploration and introduction into the history, culture, technology, and practice of Music Sampling in the U.S, Europe and Japan. The course will provide students with a basic understanding of how advancements in synthesizer technology in the early 1980s sparked a music “re-evolution” that fundamentally changed how we write, produce, and even think about what is considered music in pop culture. From the birth of hip-hop in New York, house music in Chicago, and techno in Detroit, to the Grammy wins of countless artists from across the music spectrum, Music Sampling continues to dominate the sound and practice of the modern-day music industry. Using Ableton Live music production software with a hands-on approach we will analyze, break-down and reconstruct classic and current songs from various genres, discuss how early technological limitations provided a creative environment that fostered productivity and contributed to popular song form, and how the ongoing evolution of sampling and elastic audio continues to reshape music, genre and the industry as we know it. We will discuss the intersection of genres through derivative works, music across generations, sampling techniques and terminology, pioneering musicians, DJ’s and music producers, the sound and style of iconic samplers and sequencers, the cultural backdrop that contributed to the advent of foundational electronic music genres, song and genre analysis, and more.
Prerequisites & Notes: Instructor Consent.