There are so many ways to learn Kyma (the online documentation, asking questions in the Kyma Discord, working with a private coach or group of friends…). This semester there are also two new university courses where, not only can you can learn Kyma, you’ll also have a chance to work on creative projects with a composer/mentor and interact with fellow Kyma sound designers in the studio while also earning credit toward a degree.
At Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore, you can sign up for MUSC H268A Sonic Narratives – Storytelling through Sound Synthesis with Professor Mei-ling Lee.
In “Sonic Narratives” you’ll learn to combine traditional instruments and electronic music technologies to explore storytelling through sound. Treating the language of sound as a potent narrative tool, the course covers advanced sound synthesis techniques such as Additive, Subtractive, FM, Granular, and Wavetable Synthesis using state-of-the-art tools like Kyma and Logic Pro. Beyond technical proficiency, students will explore how these synthesis techniques contribute to diverse fields, from cinematic soundtracks to social media engagement.
2,332 miles (3 753 kms) to the west, Professor Garth Paine is offering a Kyma course at the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts in Tempe, Arizona.
From the course catalog: The Kyma System is an advanced real-time sound synthesis and electro-acoustic music composition and performance software/hardware instrument. It is widely used in major film sound design studios, by composers across the globe and in scientific sound sonification. The Kyma system is a patcher like environment which can also be scripted and driven externally by OSC and MIDI. Algorithms can be placed in timelines for dynamic instantiation based on musical events or in grids and as fixed patches. The system has several very powerful FFT and spectral processing approach which can also be used live. In this class, learn about the potential of the system and several of the ways in which it can be used in creating innovative sound design and live electronics with instruments. The class is focused on students who are interested in electroacoustic music composition and realtime performance and more broadly in sound design.
These are not the only institutions of higher learning where Kyma knowledge is on offer this fall. Here’s a sampling of some other schools offering courses where you’ll learn to apply Kyma skills to sound design, composition, and data sonification:
- University of Oregon (Jeffrey Stolet, Jon Bellona, Zachary Boyt)
- University of New Haven (Simon Hutchinson)
- Indiana University (Chi Wang)
- Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (Fang Wang)
- Sichuan Conservatory of Music (Iris Lu)
- Wuhan Conservatory of Music (Sunhuimei Xia)
- Dankook University, Seoul (Kiyoung Lee)
- Musikhochschule Lübeck (Franz Danksagmüller)
If you are teaching a Kyma course this year, and don’t see yourself on the list, please let us know.