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"My publications typically focus on the use of technology to facilitate musicianship. I've authored a sequence of three music technology books published by Oxford University Press: Foundations of Music Technology, Interactive Composition, and Max/MSP/Jitter for Music. Other publications, like Environmental Sound Artists, focus on artistic creativity and innovative processes, while my journal articles and contributions to professional periodicals cover a range of topics including music theory, technology, and education; in particular, the notion of using technology to facilitate musicianship with non-musicians, and separating the cognitive functions of musicianship from the physical actions of performance." ~V.J.


Foundations of Music Technology

V.J. Manzo (2015) Oxford University Press

with foreword by David Cope

Book Info

Foundations of Music Technology explores the core concepts of music technology and its uses as a mechanism to facilitate musicianship in a way that is accessible to all students--from the musician with limited technology skills to the technology expert with little knowledge in music notation. The text uses a free, customized software application for Mac or PC in order to demonstrate fundamental concepts of music technology germane to all professional applications like recording, synthesis, digital notation, MIDI, automating effects, acoustics, and more. With the concepts grasped using this "software-independent" approach, students can then transfer those learned skills over to the software of their choice.





Max/MSP/Jitter for Music, 2nd Edition

V.J. Manzo (2016) Oxford University Press

with foreword by David Elliott

Book Info

In Max/MSP/Jitter for Music (2nd Edition), expert author and music technologist V. J. Manzo provides a user-friendly introduction to a powerful programming language that can be used to write custom software for musical interaction. Through clear, step-by-step instructions illustrated with numerous examples of working systems, the book equips you with everything you need to know in order to design and complete meaningful music projects. The book also discusses ways to interact with software beyond the mouse and keyboard through use of camera tracking, pitch tracking, video game controllers, sensors, mobile devices, and more.




Interactive Composition

V.J. Manzo & Will Kuhn (2015) Oxford University Press

with foreword by Morton Subotnick

Book Info

Interactive Composition empowers readers with all of the practical skills and insights they need to compose and perform electronic popular music in a variety of popular styles. The book begins by introducing all of the tools involved in creating interactive compositions through the software Ableton Live and Max for Live. The following chapters then put the tools to use by both describing particular musical styles and also teaching readers how to compose and perform within these styles using the software. As readers progresses through the book, they will learn to use the software to facilitate their own unique compositional objectives.




Max/MSP/Jitter for Music

V.J. Manzo (2011) Oxford University Press

with foreword by David Elliott

Book Info

In Max/MSP/Jitter for Music, expert author and music technologist V. J. Manzo provides a user-friendly introduction to a powerful programming language that can be used to write custom software for musical interaction. Through clear, step-by-step instructions illustrated with numerous examples of working systems, the book equips you with everything you need to know in order to design and complete meaningful music projects. The book also discusses ways to interact with software beyond the mouse and keyboard through use of camera tracking, pitch tracking, video game controllers, sensors, mobile devices, and more.




Environmental Sound Artists

Frederick Bianchi & V.J. Manzo (Eds.). (2016) Oxford University Press

with foreword by Joel Chadabe

Book Info

Environmental Sound Artists: in their own words, is an incisive and imaginative look at the international environmental sound art movement, which emerged in the late 1960s. The term environmental sound art is generally applied to the work of sound artists who incorporate processes in which the artist actively engages 
with the environment. While the field of environmental sound art is diverse and includes a variety of approaches, the art form diverges from traditional contemporary music by the conscious and strategic integration of environmental impulses and natural processes.

This book presents a current perspective on the environmental sound art movement through a collection of personal writings by important environmental sound artists. Dismayed by the limitations and gradual breakdown of contemporary compositional strategies, environmental sound artists have sought alternate venues, genres, technologies, and delivery methods for their creative expression. Environmental sound art is especially relevant because it addresses political, social, economic, scientific, and aesthetic issues. As a result, it has attracted the participation of artists internationally. Awareness and concern for the environment has connected and unified artists across the globe and has achieved a solidarity and clarity of purpose that is singularly unique and optimistic. The environmental sound art movement is borderless and thriving.




Journal Articles

Publications in peer-reviewed journals

Other Publications

Publications in magazines, blogs, and other press