Skip to main content

Multimedia Composition

The study of Multimedia Composition at the University of Music and Drama in Hamburg offers a first class education at the media location Hamburg, one of the most interesting cities in Germany.

The interdisciplinary, modular course of study is designed to last two years and is completed with a Master of Arts (M.A.). It is open to both composers with an interest in media as well as media artists and computer scientists with an interest in music.The final exam consists of a written master thesis and an artistic project.

This master's program is a full time 2-year studies program (in 4 semesters). A Master of Arts (M.A.) certificate is awarded after successful completion of the program.

Since 2010 there ist the opportunity for multimedia composers to follow an artistic doctorate's program, the Dr.Sc.Mus (Dr. scientiae musicae). This corresponds approximately to the American Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.).

Fields of study

  • Algorithmic composition (with Max / MSP and OpenMusic)
  • Digital signal processing and live electronics
  • Plugin design
  • Live interaction with music and video
  • Network and internet composition
  • Interactive Installation
  • Sensors
  • Work in the digital recording studio
  • Aesthetics of new media
  • Microtonal composition
  • Radio drama and drama music
  • Soundtrack
  • Conceptual Art

Software and programming languages taught

  • Max/MSP/Jitter
  • Ableton Live / Max for Live
  • Logic
  • IRCAM software (OpenMusic, AudioSculpt, Diphone, etc.), SPEAR
  • Java
  • JavaScript


Application

In order to attend this master's program you have to:

  1. apply under following link: https://www.hfmt-hamburg.de/application/
    • submission of at least three representative works which demonstrate the ability to perform artistically Demonstrate the use of digital media, especially in the field of computer music. These Works can be in the form of scores, texts, recordings, computer programs, videos, etc. and/or interactive websites.
  2. attend the entrance examination (in English) which consists of following parts:
    • a 3-hour written exam including a) an elaboration and solution of a task in the filed of interactive computer music/mutlimedia, b) a factual text to be summarised and commented on, c) multiple choice test on important terms in computer music and digital media
    • 15min interview on your work and motivation to join the program

Important documents


Course catalogue


Student Projects

AFTERLIFE (2023) - Tobi Pfeil

AFTERLIFE A JOURNEY INTO DIGITAL DEATH AND RESURRECTION  Stuck inside an operatic computer game universe, two characters set out on a journey to discover what lies beyond the confinements of their world. Driven by a deep, existential longing for the unknown, they are ultimately faced with their own death - and existence beyond death itself. 

Composition, story and performance by Claudia Cox and Tobi Pfeil
Costumes: Claudia Cox
Lights: Diego Muhr
Unreal Engine programming: Tobi Pfeil

Video Link
Trailer Link

CORPORATE UNCONSCIOUS (2023) - Diego Muhr

Corporate Unconscious is an immersive Videowalk performance conceived by Diego Muhr and Robin Plenio that presents the mysterious and speculative research of Simul Entertainment GmbH. This Hamburg-based company, founded in the early '90s, dedicated itself to studying the concept of synchronicity – meaningful coincidences without causal connection, as defined by Carl Jung. Despite the disappearance of the company in the mid-'90s, its ambitious plans left behind an archive of intriguing research, experiments, and corporate materials.

Participants of Corporate Unconscious embark on a tour, guided by a prerecorded video displayed on iPads. They are introduced to the visionary yet controversial projects of Simul Entertainment through a narrative that blends contemporary images, archival "found footage," and 3D animated scenes. The experience is framed by two distinct narrative voices, one echoing the historical experiments of Simul and the other providing a documentary-style commentary, creating a layered storytelling experience that connects past research with the participants' present journey.

ARTISTIC DIRECTION,  AUDIO DESIGN,  UNREAL DEVELOPMENT, 3D MODELING, VIDEO PRODUCTION Diego Muhr
DRAMATURGY, AUDIO DESIGN, VIDEO PRODUCTION Robin Plenio
MUSIC Lucas Schlotfeld

Project part of the WEPRODUCE residency, at the LICHTHOF Theater.
With the kind support of Goran Lazarevic and the HOOU-HfMT team and Forum HfMT

More information

Staff

* Lehrbeauftragte*r an der HfMT gemäß § 26 Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz


Contact

Cansu Arslan

Fachbüro Multimedia und Neue Kompositionstechniken+49 40 209494225cansu.arslan@hfmt.hamburg.de