ANU Laptop Ensemble

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of music computing, including digital synthesis, algorithmic composition, and musical interface design. Students will develop their knowledge by creating computer musical instruments in music programming languages and developing new computer music works to present in concert with an ensemble of other students.

Modern music technology exists at the forefront of computing practice and involves new live programming paradigms, human interface design, digital signal processing, networking, and machine learning. Students will gain experience in these concepts and learn how to conceptualise and realise new computer music instruments, compositions, and performances.

ANU Laptop Ensemble runs as a “Special Topics” course in the ANU School of Computing. Two course codes are available: COMP3710 and COMP6470.

Laptop Ensemble is now full and applications have closed. Accepted applicants will receive a permission code from CECS Student Services.

If you’ve got questions about enrolling in Laptop Ensemble, get in touch with Charles Martin.

The best way to see what we do is to watch the student’s performances in the final gig video here (hot off the LENS Youtube Channel).

In this course you’ll learn fundamental skills of sound and music computing, including digital synthesis, algorithmic composition, and musical interface design. You’ll put these skills to use creating a computer musical instrument, composition, or interactive sound artwork to perform—at a live gig—at the end of the course.

This course is open to students in computer science, music, art, and elsewhere at ANU. You should have a strong interest in making sound and music using computers, a willingness to learn new approaches to music and computer programming, and be must be able to attend the weekly workshop session perform at the end-of-semester LENS gig.

If you’ve got any questions (including how to enrol), the course FAQ might answer them for you.