KMB129 Composition and Sound Design in Digital Environments

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces you to sequencing, sound synthesis, signal processing, and critical listening in digital environments as approaches to contemporary music composition and production. The unit builds upon fundamentals of sound and recording presented in Sound Recording and Audio Production. You will gain an understanding of the approaches and aesthetics that underpin music production and performance in the digital domain. Relevant sustainability concepts related to gender inclusivity, cultural awareness, responsible technology use and production supply chains will explored. The unit prepares you for later music creation units. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of sequencing, sound synthesis, and signal processing principles.
2. Make music that demonstrates an understanding of how working in the digital domain affects the composition, production and performance processes.
3. Accurately document and effectively communicate details of the music production process.
4. Evaluate and critique musical works with reference to appropriate musical styles, repertoire, and modes of production.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit takes an applied theory approach to learning. Fundamental sequencing, synthesis and composition techniques in conjunction with critical listening skills are covered in a series of lectures that contain audio, video, and text. These are complemented with additional readings and resources. In weekly workshops, we demonstrate and apply concepts. The learning process is further supported with online discussion groups and informal help sessions.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• a range of formative exercises will be discussed in the weekly workshops
• summative assessment work will be returned with criteria sheets and comments, with further comments and discussion available upon request
• generic comments will be provided to the cohort via QUT Canvas
• online unit forums will be used as an additional, informal channel for feedback
• informal, drop in help sessions will be opportunities to consult with staff and seek additional clarification on unit requirements and feedback on work in progress.

Assessment

Overview

The first assessment is a portfolio of sound design, synthesis, and critical listening exercises that build foundational skills for composition and production in the digital domain. Assessment 2 requires you to undertake research and analysis of two specific musical works and critically evaluate the cultural, technological, and historical influences and provide a musical analysis. Assessment 3 builds on these items with a requirement to compose and perform an original piece of music.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises

Folio of practical tasks that demonstrate your understanding of sound design and synthesis principles through digital instrument creation and original composition, and critical listening exercises to support development of compositional skills in the digital domain.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Critical Analysis

Write a critical analysis on two electronic works–a historical electroacoustic work and a contemporary commercially released piece–that includes research on the cultural, technological and historical influences of the works, and an analysis of the musical structure, arrangement and mix.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Electronic Music Composition and Performance

Create and perform an original piece of music that makes intrinsic use of the manipulation, processing and real time control of digital music making tools. Provide an accompanying written report that documents the production processes you used and how they enabled the musical ideas to be expressed and developed.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). 

This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. 

Costs

As well as access to the online resources supplied to you via Canvas and other websites, you will require a pair of enclosed headphones with an appropriate 6.5 and 3.5mm adaptor. You will also need a portable personal file storage, such as a USB thumb drive or similar.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset (see Overview) and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. For CIESJ Tier 2 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated. Health and Safety files are readily available for all materials and machinery in all studio areas. Technical supervision is provided for workshops and available on a regular basis during the week.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury. 

Excessive noise in confined spaces and/or when listening through headphones can damage hearing. Exposure to such noise should be brief and controlled.

Personal injury is possible from incorrectly lifting heavy electronic or acoustic instruments or equipment.

The use of electronic instruments and equipment may cause electrocution if handled incorrectly or an electrical fault occurs. Always ensure your equipment has been regularly tested by a qualified electrician.

Musical, electrical and computer equipment is prone to failure. Any loss of time for such failures should be accounted for in your planning.

Safety of data storage can never be fully guaranteed. You are required to take all steps necessary to ensure continuity of your data.

Course Learning Outcomes

CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Critical Analysis, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
5. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Critical Analysis, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
6. Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
7. Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Critical Analysis, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
8. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO4, Critical Analysis, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
9. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
   Relates to: ULO4, Critical Analysis, Electronic Music Composition and Performance
10. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
    Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio of Sound Design, Synthesis, and Critical Listening Exercises, Electronic Music Composition and Performance

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO4
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2
5. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO3

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
   Relates to: ULO4
3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
   Relates to: ULO3
5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
   Relates to: ULO1