Located in purpose-built accommodation, the Anglia Ruskin Computer Music Studios is a group of three studios for the creation and manipulation of acoustic and electronically produced sound. The studios house a range of technological equipment including a wide selection of specialist computer hardware and software. All computers have full Internet and Intranet access and are supported by extensive on-line facilities and resources. Currently studio configurations are as follows:

Studio One

A workstation laboratory with 10 digital audio workstations each using an Apple Macintosh dual-processor G5 computer running a range of dedicated software including: Logic Pro, MAX/MSP, SuperCollider, Metasynth, IRCAM software, along with in-house, custom-designed software systems.

Studio Two

A workstation laboratory with 10 digital audio workstations each using an Apple Macintosh iMac G5 computer running a range of dedicated software including: Logic Pro, MAX/MSP, SuperCollider, Metasynth, IRCAM software, along with in-house, custom-designed software systems. Audio connections run through to the recording booth.

Studio Three

A research studio equipped with a full range of composition and processing software running on an Apple G5. Monitoring is via a Genelec 5.1 system (expandable to 8 channels).

 

Courses

The Computer Music Studios currently provide introductory and advanced courses in electronic music composition, sound synthesis, live processing and sound and image manipulation. Modules involve listening to and analysing common features of music created by or principally using electronic systems as well as learning to manipulate the various processes that can be used in the creative courses. A number of students choose to work directly with video material alongside their musical ideas. Other aspects covered include introductions to music desktop publishing and computer programming for sound and MIDI.

The introductory courses Music and Technology and Fundamentals of Electronic Music require no prior experience of electronic music and little or no musical training, as they concentrate on areas of music that are often neglected in conventional music courses, and feature new ways of listening to and appreciating all forms of musical experience. There is a special emphasis on the strict and objective examination of prejudices and conventions concerning music in general and music technology in particular.

Studio assistantships

The studios are able to award one or more Studio Assistantships to postgraduate or senior undergraduate students. Studio Assistants, in return for this bursary, provide additional back-up and technical support for other studio users.

Postgraduate study

The Department of Music and Performing Arts offers higher research-based degrees in both electro-acoustic and acoustic composition as well as other areas of music technology. As both an educational and creative establishment, we are especially interested in encouraging the understanding and development of human/machine interface that allows both creative control and freedom.

Performance

We encourage composers, performers and technologists to collaborate in creative and innovative performance. Each year there are two or three public concerts of material written, arranged and performed by students. We are a substantial contributor to and supporter of the annual Kettle's Yard New Music Mornings. In addition, we run our own series of informal concerts called e-Soirées. There are usually three of these each semester, and they are intended to provide opportunities for composers and performers of all varieties of innovative material.

To similar ends, students of 'acoustic' composition courses are encouraged to undertake Music Technology modules and vice versa to encourage an open approach to the use of technology for creative ends.

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