MUSONIC 2905 - Circuit Bending and Hardware Hacking

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Circuit Bending and Hardware Hacking is a theoretical and practical course examining electronics and its application to sound and music. In particular, the course approaches the creation, manipulation and use of electronics in music and sound using a performative and exploratory approach. Topics covered include: the background and history of electronics, electronic theory and design, soldering, breadboarding, circuit and hardware manipulation, noise, processing, controls, connectors, sound generation and modulation, and signal flow. The topics will be covered through a series of workshops that include theoretical presentations, practical demonstrations, individual and group work, portfolio development and instrument creation. Further, students will complete reading and listening that reinforce concepts, provide new insights and techniques; and perform practical exercises that promote investigative learning and research. The course has the following learning objectives: extend artistic and technical outcomes in the sonic arts including sound design, composition, performance and instrument development; develop techniques for exploratory and performative research; enhance problem solving skills; provide a reflexive active skill set that can re-imagine past and current technologies and adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape, its practices and processes.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSONIC 2905
    Course Circuit Bending and Hardware Hacking
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites MUSONIC 1000
    Course Description Circuit Bending and Hardware Hacking is a theoretical and practical course examining electronics and its application to sound and music. In particular, the course approaches the creation, manipulation and use of electronics in music and sound using a performative and exploratory approach. Topics covered include: the background and history of electronics, electronic theory and design, soldering, breadboarding, circuit and hardware manipulation, noise, processing, controls, connectors, sound generation and modulation, and signal flow. The topics will be covered through a series of workshops that include theoretical presentations, practical demonstrations, individual and group work, portfolio development and instrument creation. Further, students will complete reading and listening that reinforce concepts, provide new insights and techniques; and perform practical exercises that promote investigative learning and research. The course has the following learning objectives: extend artistic and technical outcomes in the sonic arts including sound design, composition, performance and instrument development; develop techniques for exploratory and performative research; enhance problem solving skills; provide a reflexive active skill set that can re-imagine past and current technologies and adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape, its practices and processes.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Sebastian Tomczak

    Staff: 

    Dr Seb Tomczak
    sebastian.tomczak@adelaide.edu.au
    Schulz 5.13
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    The objectives of this course are to:

    1 Develop practical creative and technical skills that display accuracy, fluency and depth of understanding and application with respect to electronics and music technology.
    2 Develop creative and technical knowledge that displays a deep and comprehensive understanding of the theoretical, historical and cultural underpinnings in the area of music technology.
    3 Develop independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving using musical technologies.
    4 Develop research skills and critical understanding of music technology and its associated areas.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    .

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Online
    • Extensive course readings and support material are available on MyUni are of vital importance in gaining an understanding of the content of this course. Please refer to it frequently.
    Electronic Equipment and Components
    • Students are expected to purchase specific electronic components and equipment for this course. A list including with part numbers and recommended local and interstate retailers will be available on MyUni.
    Hardware
    • USB Stick or portable hard drive with enough capacity to store files associated with the course and formatted as "exFAT" to provide suitable compatability between MacOS and Windows.
    • Stereo headphones with a 6.5mm male adaptor. Recommended Type: Closed-Back, Over-the-Ear  Headphones.
    • Note – students must bring both their USB storage and Headphones (with adaptor) to university, as they are required for various classes, completing exercises and for using laboratories and studios.
    Sound Levels & Hearing Protection
    This course may require using spaces where a dB meter has been installed. If you exceed the set dB limit for the space, the lights will flash.  Students found exceeding these levels will have their booking privileges revoked for two weeks, and repeat offenders may have their booking privileges revoked for the remainder of the academic year.

    In order to minimise risk in noise-prone situations, the Conservatorium makes both reusable gel ear-plugs and disposable foam ear-plugs available to students and staff free of charge at all times. Students and staff are also urged to consider purchase of customised personal hearing protection.

    For more information regarding sound levels, hearing and hearing loss please refer both to the full content of the O'Brien Report and to the excellent publication by Canadian audiologist/academic Marshall Chasin, entitled Hear the Music: Hearing Loss Prevention for Musicians both available here: https://arts.adelaide.edu.au/music/health-safety-and-wellbeing

    Recommended Resources
    Books
    • Collins, Nicolas. Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking. TF-ROUTL, 2006.
    • Ghazala, Reed. Circuit-Bending : Build Your Own Alien Instruments. Extremetech. Indianapolis, Ind.: Wiley Publishing, 2005.
    • Horn, Delton T. Basic Electronics Theory. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, 1994.
    Listening
    Students can listen to musical works through the library's Naxos subscription (see library catalogue, search using Naxos as the title and limit search to ‘electronic resources’. You will be prompted to enter your uni ID number and password to access the Naxos catalogue). There is a wealth of material available for listening (but not downloading). The link to the Naxos catalogue is as follows:
    http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url=http://uoa.naxosmusiclibrary.com/

    Library
    The Music Collection is located in the Barr Smith Library (Level 1 South) and is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/collections/music-collection

    Referencing Guide
    Bibliography and references are to be cited according to the Music Referencing Guide: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music_referencing
    Online Learning

    MyUni is a crucial part of this course and will provide students with access to assessment and learning materials, such as quizzes, discussion boards, slide presentations, readings, links, sound and video. Materials will be provided on a topic-by-topic basis over the semester: http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course structure and content is delivered through a workshop that includes theoretical and practical components. The workshops in this course use a format where students are presented with theoretical and/or practical materials. The materials create a topic framework that students will expand using out-of-class resources in their own time. The resources will compliment, reinforce and extend the concepts presented.

    Workshops will explore a wide range of practical aspects of the course and its associated topics and concepts. Students will be set regular practical tasks as part of their portfolio assessment and be required to present their work during the workshop. Students are required to complete the weekly readings and activities as set throughout the course on a week by week basis.

    Furthermore, the workshops will contain a theoretical component that will explore case studies, examples, history and theory relevant to the course content. Students will be examined on their understanding and knowledge of this theory via a series of online quizzes.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    This course consists of up to 48 hours of direct contact and structured non-contact - 4 hours per week over 12 weeks for the workshops, where students will play an active role in the practice, refinement, consolidation and extension of their knowledge and understanding. In addition students will spend a minimum of 108 non-contact hours over the duration of the course on self-initiated learning and research, reading, writing, practice and assessment in order to pass the course, making the minimum workload 156 hours.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Students will practicalyl explore, analyse and develop a range of electronic sound processes and techniques. These will cover topics such as:
    • handmade electronics
    • hacking and circuit bending
    • experimental exploration
    • instrument design
    • audio effects
    • breadboarding
    • microprocessor boards and software.
    • hardware / software development and integration,
    • data mapping
    • physical computing
    Specific Course Requirements
    EMU Facilities Access Provisions

    This course will involve using the resources of the Electronic Music Unit (EMU). This includes facilities such as studios, recording spaces and digital audio workstations.

    In order for students to complete the course they must gain ongoing and permanent access to EMU. Access and use of EMU is based upon  completing the EMU Access Test.

    More information can be found here:
    https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/courses/25086

    Other Expectations

    Except where otherwise indicated by the lecturer, tutor or workshop instructor – mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, recording devices and other similar technology must be switched off before lessons or classes begin, and kept off for the duration.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Name Description  Due %

    Learning
    Outcomes

    Type
    Portfolio Students will perform a series of electronic related tasks and create a range of small projects during the semester as part of a portfolio. This portfolio will form the basis of theoretical and practical knowlege required to complete the major creative project. Ongoing 30 1, 2, 3, 4 Summative
    Exam Students will complete an exam that will assess and evaluate their ability to identify, understand and explain key theoretical and practical concepts in the course. Note - No Late Submissions. Week 14 35 1, 2 Summative
    Creative Project Students will complete a major creative project. The major creative project will represent a synthesis of creative, technical and theoretical concepts presented during the course culminating in the creation of a hardware device for suitable for music performance, installation or data acquisition for sonification. Note - No Late Submissions. Week 15 35 2, 3, 4 Summative

    Due Dates: Specific information regarding due dates is provided on myUni. 

    Formative Assessment: 
    Classes will contain embedded formative assessment tasks that may include student presentations, discussions, practical exercises, demonstrations and out-of-class work that will enable students to engage with the practical and theoretical concepts presented in order to complete their summative assessments.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Hurdle Assessment

    All students must complete the requirements under “SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS ‘EMU Facilities Access Provisions’”. Students who fail to complete these items may be deemed to have failed the course.

    Attendance Expectation & Penalty

    Students are expected to attend all classes. If a student fails to attend at least 70% of tutorials or workshops in a course the student may be deemed to have failed that course, irrespective of assessments completed. Students who arrive 10 minutes or later after the start of a class will be marked as absent.

    Leave of Absence – Sickness, Compassionate and Professional Development

    Extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases a student should email their course coordinator regarding the circumstances within 7 days and include the following information:

    • Type of Leave: Sick Leave, Compassionate Leave or Professional Development Leave
    • Student Name
    • Student ID
    • Dates of Leave
    • Total Number of Days
    • Reason for Absence
    • Supporting Documentation (e.g. medical certicificate, counsellor note etc)
    Assessment Detail

    Refer to “ASSESSMENT SUMMARY”

    Submission
    Assessments and Exams

    Students must be available during the identified University teaching, academic and examination periods. Students are not entitled to sit an examination or submit an assessment at another time, nor are they entitled to any other concessions if an examination or assessment conflicts with a planned vacation or special event. Results from assessments and examinations are usually sent to students via email and/or myUni.

    Late Submission

    Assignments where late submissions are permitted and that are submitted after the due date and time will incur a 2% penalty (from the assignment total of 100%) per day (24 hour period) for a maximum of 7 days (including weekends and public holidays )

    Example:
    • an assignment that is 3 days late: raw score of 80% - 6 marks lateness deduction = 74% final mark.
    Note:
    • typically this does not apply to assessments where the assessment is conducted at a fixed time and location, such as an exam, workshop, practical test, performance or presentation – please refer to the individual assessments for further information.
    • for work with a formal extension, these penalties will apply from the extended due date.
    Cut-off date

    There will be a cut-off date for each assignment 7 days (including weekends and public holidays) after the original due date unless otherwise stipulated on MyUni. Work will not be accepted after the cut-off date, and a mark of zero will automatically be awarded for the assignment.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.