Shawn Greenlee is a composer, sound artist and professor who leads RISD’s Studio for Research in Sound and Technology (SRST). His recent work explores spatial audio, high density loudspeaker arrays and erratic sound synthesis techniques.
Active as a solo electronic / electroacoustic improvisor since 1997, Greenlee has toured extensively across the US and Europe. Conference and festival performances include New Interfaces for Musical Expression (2018 Blacksburg, 2015 Baton Rouge, 2014 London, 2013 Daejeon), International Computer Music Conference (2021 Santiago, 2018 Daegu, 2011 Huddersfield, 2005 Barcelona), BEAST FEaST (2017 Birmingham), PdCon16 (2016 New York), Cube Fest (2019, 2016 Blacksburg), Re-new (2013 Copenhagen), IN TRANSIT (2008 Berlin) and Elevate (2007 Graz), among others.
Greenlee’s solo and group discography spans over 50 releases. He is a founding member of Landed, active since 1997 and known for its deconstructed rock, rhythmic noise and intense live performances. From 1999–2001, he performed with Six Finger Satellite.
Greenlee holds a PhD in computer music and new media from Brown University.
Courses
Fall 2023 Courses
SOUND 2006-02 - SPATIAL AUDIO: ENVELOPMENT AND IMMERSION
LevelUndergraduate
UnitDigital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Sound
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
SOUND 2006-02
SPATIAL AUDIO: ENVELOPMENT AND IMMERSION
LevelUndergraduate
UnitDigital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Spatial Audio focuses on the creation of immersive 3-D sound experiences. In this course, students analyze and explore how the sensation of space is activated in the listener by making works using spatial audio techniques. These methods include high order ambisonics, vector-based amplitude panning, multichannel surround, and binaural audio, among others. Throughout the semester, a series of exercises addressing technical and theoretical issues provide students with the necessary experience to produce midterm and final projects. Coursework involves computational approaches to sound design and composition with instruction in the audio programming language Max and digital audio workstation Reaper. Students have recurring access to a 25-channel loudspeaker array for the development of works. Readings from psychology, philosophy, the arts, and sound studies support class discussions and critiques. Students will need a laptop computer (Mac or Windows). Previous experience with digital audio software recommended. Estimated Materials Cost: $100.00
Please contact the instructor for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday. Preference is given to Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Students.
Elective
Spring 2024 Courses
SOUND 2001-01 - PROGRAMMING SOUND: PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS
Programming Sound: Performance Systems focuses on programming and designing computer-based systems for sound art and music performance. Centered on the dataflow programming language, Max, the course will be of substantial benefit to students who desire a rigorous and fast-moving foundation in algorithmic approaches to sound design. The course simultaneously facilitates explorations in sound synthesis, audio signal processing, electronics, gesture-based human computer interaction, and instrument building with microcontrollers and sensors. Coursework involves weekly homework in the form of online lectures and exercises with class sessions reserved for demonstrations, workshops, and project assistance. The course emphasizes modularity and reuse of code. Students will present their work in a public concert during the last week of the semester.
Additional Notes: In order to conduct work in this course, students will need a laptop computer running a recent OS: Mac or Windows. Previous programming experience is recommended, but not required. Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00
Please contact the instructor for permission to register. Preference is given to Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Students.
