Date of Submission

12-2024

Type of Work

Exegesis and Creative Work

Principal Supervisor

Dr. Toby Wren

Associate Supervisor

Dr. Sean Foran

Keywords

Composition ; electronic music, sound design ; musical structure ; practice-led research ; improvisation

Audience

General (G) - suitable for everyone

Abstract

This exegesis documents my practice and process through the development and production of three albums of electronic music. Employing a methodology where the exploration of sound design drives the music making process. I used experimental music making approaches and “practice-led research” methodologies to make these creative works (Smith & Dean, 2009, p. 5). Through the exploration of the sound design process, I developed a methodology that enables the creation of musical material to serve as the foundation for the pieces I produced. Exploring iterative processes in music making, I employed a “Comprovisational” approach (Dale, 2008, p.5). Listening while recording, I explored changes in timbre, harmony, melody and rhythm made through improvisations with digital synthesis, MIDI hardware, sampling, and sound design. From these recordings, I would further extrapolate and manipulate the material, developing it into musical structures.

My Creative Works, Red, Teal, and Orange, serve as documentation of an evolving compositional approach centred around employing an experimental sound design process, to generate material that focuses on timbral manipulation through a comprovisational scope. The enclosed works offer insight into my experience as a composer making music through digital synthesis, experimentation, iterative processes, linear and non-linear approaches and improvisation and composition.

Recommended Citation

Cusack, J. (2024). Digital Synthesis and Music Making : A Comprovisational approach to music making through digital synthesis and sound manipulation [Masters dissertation, SAE University College]. Creo.

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