(under construction)
The Department of Music purchased its first group of electronic musical
instruments in 1986. These instruments were placed in Room M228 of the
Main Building for teaching and practice purposes. The second stage of development
took place in early 1988 when a then-powerful Macintosh II computer (with
professional software) and a set of new MIDI instruments were added to
the inventory list. The room M228, though not an ideal location, was re-named
as "Electronic Music Studio", and was directed by Dr. Nicholas Cook, assisted
by Joshua Chan and Jimi
Wong. In the same period, Dr.
Martin Wesley-Smith, an electronic-music specialist and composer from
Australia, visited the Department in the capacity of the 1st "Rayson Huang
Fellow in Music". Dr. Wesley-Smith gave valuable support and advice on
the development of the studio. In 1989-90, a new course (double-course
in the old syllabus) "Introduction to MIDI Studio Techniques", taught by
Dr. Nicholas Cook, was formally offered to B.A. 2nd- & 3rd-year students.
With the departure of Dr. Nicholas Cook in 1990, Joshua Chan became responsible
to the development of the studio and the teaching of electronic music since
1990-91. The third stage of the development (1991 to 1996) went side by
side with the University's expansion in computer and network facilities.
The then Acting Head of Department Malcolm Butter has played an important
role in promoting music technology in the Department. This period witnessed
(1) the establishment of the Department's "Computer Laboratory" (with multiple
PCs, Macintoshes, synthesizers, LaserDisc players, Laser printer, scanner
& sound system), (2) the addition of a Next computer, (3) the addition
of a new mixing console and new equipment, (4) the visit of overseas specialists
including Prof. John Chowning of CCRMA,
Stanford University, and (5) the regular performance of electronic
music by staff and students in Department concerts. The fourth stage of
development took place in October 1996 when the Department of Music moved
its location to the newly renovated historical building "Hung Hing Ying
Building", which was eventually made possible during the office of headship
of Prof. Allan Marett (1/1994 to 1/1997). Approximately 1/3 of the renovation
cost went to the construction of the new soundproof "Electronic-Music and
Recording Studio" (Room G15) which consists of (1) a professional recording
room and (2) a control/teaching room. The Hung Hing Ying Building also
houses the Department's new "Computer Laboratory" (Room I03) which consists
of mostly Macintosh computers with several PCs, servers, scanners, laser
printers and synthesizers. In April 1997, with the support of the new Department
Head Dr. Manolete Mora and Faculty Dean Dr. Michael Martin, the Music Department
was given an equipment grant of approximately HK$1,800,000 (through the
"Large Item Survey 1997-98") to outfit the new "Electronic-Music and Recording
Studio" with digital equipment. This major upgrade was focused on the requisition
of digital mixing consoles, high-end pre-amp/effect units, studio microphones
& hard-disk recording facilities. Since the establishment of
the new studio, visitors who have given special lectures there include
Prof. Wayne Slawson, Mr. Martin Matalon & Dr.
Martin Wesley-Smith.
[General Description]
[Equipment List]
[Department of Music, HKU]
The "Electronic-Music and Recording Studio" consists of two rooms: G15A and G15B. Room G15A is dedicated to professional studio recording purposes, enabling recording tasks involving up to 10 musicians, narrators, or singers at a time. This room currently houses the Yamaha EL-87 Electone, Yamaha DC1IIXG Disklavier, a complete drum set, a guitar amp, a bass amp and a spare set of MIDI workstation. The next room, G15B, is designed to carry out the main operations of recording as well as the teaching and research in the following areas: acoustics, computer music, sound synthesis, studio techniques, composition, audio-visual synchronization, musical analysis and popular music. A visual contact between this room and G15A is achieved through a double glazed window. Room G15B is basically a single-user studio capable of doing audio/visual monitoring (currently having DVD AC-3 facility), mixing, recording as well as editing and composition. To facilitate the teaching, G15B is larger than a typical single-user studio, and it is equipped with an overhead projection system, some fluorescent strip light (as well as the typical light bulbs), and extremely quiet air-conditioning system that is also sufficient for more than 15 people. Thanks to the University's Estates Office and its audio consultant Campbell & Shillinglaw Co.
The "Electronic-Music and Recording Studio" is directed by Dr. Joshua Chan, and managed by Mr. Jimi Wong. In 1st semester of 1998-99, about 64 students who have taken the 1st-year course "Music Technology" (MUSI1006) have been using the studio. Another 50 students (at least) who have taken the course "Computer and Electronic Music" (08259) will be using the studio in the 2nd semester. Besides staff members, two postgraduate students are currently doing projects in the studio. So far, at least 10 compact discs of staff projects, including traditional-music projects by Prof. Bell Yung, have been mastered in the studio. All Macintosh computers in the Music Department have been networked with a LAN which is also connected to the general network of the university with Ethnet cables. The Hung Hing Ying Building and the building next door where the music practice rooms are situated have currently been equipped with about 15 extra network access points for general use by students with their portable laptop computers. Students have also been using the Computer Laboratory (HHY I03) for desktop music publishing, aural training and other computing works.
[History]
[Equipment List]
[Department of Music, HKU]
Computer,
interface & peripheral equipment
Mixing
consoles, amplifiers & monitors
Effect processors
& pre-amp units
Microphones
Musical instruments
Earlier synthesizers
Video equipment
Other audio equipment
[History]
[General Description]
[Department of Music, HKU]
Welcome to send comments to the people in charge:
Dr. Joshua Chan - jkbchan@hkusua.hku.hk
HOME PAGE of Joshua Chan
Mr. Jimi Wong - jimiwong@hkucc.hku.hk
HOME PAGE of Jimi Wong