MIDI Music Making

Winter, 2010
Course Website

Instructor:

Jon Newton
info@oregonmts.com

Syllabus

Course Site: http://oregonmts.com/mts/courses/winter2010/mmmW10/
Instructor: Jon Newton
email: info@oregonmts.com

Texts: These recommended tests are the same we used laste term.

1) Modern Recording Techniques, by David Miles Huber 7th Edition, ©2009 Focal Press, ISBN 9780240810690

Order here.

2) Essentials of Music Technology, by Mark Ballora, © 2003 by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0130937479

Ordering info here.

Resources: Students are welcome to use the Recording Arts and Music Production website, at this URL: http://www.ramp.pdx.edu. There are many suggestions as to helpful books and applications, as well as support tutorials and Power Point presentations. The MTS password will also allow navigation of this site.

Course Description: Studies how MIDI technology is used by today's music producers to create exciting music tracks entirely with computer software. Includes extensive instruction on sequencing application Digital Performer. Additional focus on "looping" and beat creation, and software instruments..

Prerequisites and Individualization: Students are assumed to have basic math, computer, email, and Internet skills. Students may suggest modifications to assignments that support projects in which they are currently involved.

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Schedule

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Classes

Part 1: Mac Orientation

•A quick Mac tour
•Setup a student work folder
•Browser orientation
•Download a Standard MIDI File (SMF .mid)
•Save .mid file in student work folder
•Open .mid file in Finale, Garageband, Digital Performer
•Save DP file
•DP orientation

Part 2: Using A Controller

•Controller Orientation
•Audio/MIDI Setup
•USB Interface
•Reassign MIDI output in DP tracks to current controller

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Part 1: Sound Modules

•Powerpoint Presentation on MIDI basics
•Focus on the devices that make musical sounds

Part 2: Editing MIDI Data In Digital Performe

•First look at DP: Navigation & Consolidated windows
•Selecting data by Region & panels in Consolidated window.
•Beginning look at editing windows in DP
•Navigation tips including the "dot trick" and using F keys to set selection data

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Part 1: The MIDI Spec and MIDI Controllers

•How MIDI Controllers communicate with sound modules
•Details on the the MIDI "Spec"

Part 2: More About Selecting & Editing

•Working with editing windows: Edit List, Graphic (MIDI), Quickscribe
•Velocity and duration editing
•Transposing MIDI pitches
•First look at Conductor track

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Part 1: Sequencing

•How MIDI data is stored on the computer
•Different types of sequencers
•Editing MIDI data

Part 2: Real-Time Recording

•Setting up a metronome
•Countoff & Wait modes
•Arming a track and hearing a patch
•Real-time recording

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Part 1: Step-Recording

•Quantizing
•Adding similar tracks
•Step-recording
•Changing patches
•Mixing & automation

Part 2: Lab

•Individual work on Chords project

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Part 1: Recording in DP Via Notation

•Quickscribe window & working with notes
•Entering notes via Quickscribe window

Part 2: Using Notation Software

•Saving as a Standard MIDI File
•First look at Finale
•Finale Simple Entry
•Finale Speedy Entry

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Part 1: Additive & Subtractive Synthesis

•Working with Virtual Instruments in DP
•Programming a subtractive synthesizer

Part 2: Starting From Scratch

•Creating a DP project
•Project setup & templates

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Part 1: Working With MIDI

•More about quantizing
•Duration issues
•Velocity issues
•Working with MIDI automation

Part 2: Other MIDI Tools

•Quickeys
•Transcribe
•Sibelius
•iTunes
•Audacity
•Toast
•Graphic Converter
•iChat
•Database Software (Appleworks)
•Garageband
•Versiontracker

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Part 1: Lab

•Individual work

Part 2: Lab

•Individual work

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Part 1: Career Development

Tools:

• Resume
• Reel
• Business materials (business card, letterhead, invoices)
• Website
• Data base
• Accounting software

Find clients (Free-lance vs. employer-based work)

Making contact (mail, email, phone, in-person)

Part 2: Student Work

•Please have a project ready to present to the class.

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