01 / 04
CREATEFROM A FIRST IDEA.
Begin with a sound you want to make.
Design a musical tool that is entirely your own.
MUSICENGINEERINGCODING_
Turn curiosity into code.
Turn code into something you can feel.
MEC / FIELD NOTES 2026
ENGINEERINGMEETSARTISTRY.
THREE DISCIPLINES.
ONE CREATIVE PRACTICE.
ONE CREATIVE PRACTICE.
MEC.TECH is a music technology program where students explore engineering and computer science by making instruments, writing code and performing original music.
02 / 04
CODEGIVE THE IDEA A LANGUAGE.
Explore programming and generative systems.
Write instructions that become musical expression.
03 / 04
BUILDTAKE IT OFF THE SCREEN.
Connect sensors, electronics and sound.
Make a digital instrument you can touch and play.
04 / 04
PERFORMLET SOMEONE ELSE FEEL IT.
Compose. Rehearse. Share the work.
Bring your ideas into a live musical performance.
OUT OF
YOUR HEAD.
INTO YOUR HANDS.
ONE WEEK. A NEW WAY TO THINK.
Design → Electronics → Sampling
→ Improvisation → Performance
04 / FOLLOW A THREADWHAT WILL
WHAT WILL
YOU MAKE?
Six entry points.
One connected world.
LOGIC → EXPRESSION
PROGRAMMING
From first instructions to musical abstractions and generative music systems.
VIBRATION → INFORMATION
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Explore digital audio, acoustics and the structure of sound.
GESTURE → SIGNAL
ELECTRONICS
Connect components, sensors and physical interfaces to build playable instruments.
TEXTURE → COMPOSITION
MUSIC CREATION
Record, sample, edit and compose. Develop your own musical language through experimentation.
PATTERN → POSSIBILITY
MUSIC + AI
Examine how artificial intelligence can analyze, generate and interact with music.
EXPERIMENT → EXPERIENCE
PERFORMANCE
Bring hardware, software and original compositions together in live performance.
SCROLL TO EXPLORE / SELECT TO JUMPFULL CURRICULUM ↗
FROM
WHAT IF
TO WHAT'S
NEXT.
Work at the intersection of music, technology and research. MEC's year-long research assistantship is guided by Ian Hattwick and connects students with MIT students and faculty.
Contribute to an academic research project, with the aim of a joint paper submission and public presentation.
Explore the research program ↗LEARN FROM
THE MAKERS.
Music technology educator and director of the Collaborative Music Lab at MIT.
Plus Philip Tan & Christian Frederickson ↗…made creativity
feel limitless.
Adriel S. / MEC.TECH STUDENT
01 / 02
08 / BEYOND THE WORKSHOPGOOD IDEAS
GOOD IDEAS
TRAVEL.
Class visits. Lectures. Short workshops. Live-coded performances. MEC shares music technology with classrooms and communities.
Explore educational outreach ↗Discover paid high-school internships ↗BEFORE YOU STEP INSIDEA FEW
All questions ↗
A FEW
QUESTIONS.
What is MEC.TECH?＋
A hands-on program connecting music, engineering and coding through instrument making, composition and performance.
Do I need previous experience?＋
The official FAQ does not require a prior musical or technical background. Curiosity in either area is a starting point.
Where is the summer program held?＋
The 2026 program page lists the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its listed summer weeks are in the past; check MEC for the next intake.
How do I learn more or apply?＋
Review the summer program, open the research application, or contact MEC for availability and requirements.