MIDI Music Making
Winter, 2012
Course Website
Instructor:
Jon Newton
info@oregonmts.com
Syllabus
| Course Title: | MIDI Music Making |
| Term: | Winter, 2012 |
| Classroom: | Lincoln Hall, Room 326F |
| Course Number: | MTS 112 |
| Meeting Day and Time: | Saturdays Section 1: 10 AM - 1 PM Section 2: 1 - 4 PM |
| Start Date: | |
| Number of classes: |
Course Site: http://oregonmts.com/mts/courses/winter2012/mmmW12/
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.web.pdx.edu/~rampweb. 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.
Schedule
| # | Date | Subject | Resources | Presentation | Project |
| Using the Computer | Computer orientation Mac orientation Working with files |
Computer Basics | Mac Modifier Keys | ||
| Using a Sequencer | Digital Performer Info | Work with MIDI file | Digital Performer Project Anatomy | ||
| Editing MIDI | MIDI Info |
Mascharada Project | |||
| Sound Modules | Huber, Ch 7 Ballora, Ch 6, 7, 8 |
--- | |||
| Recording MIDI | Keyboard Manual Keyboard Keymap |
--- | Chords Project | ||
| MIDI as Data | Connect to the Drop Box | MIDI Info & Controllers | --- | ||
| Mixing MIDI | --- | --- |
MIDI Mix Project | ||
| Using Automation | --- | MIDI Sequencing | --- | ||
| Working with Virtual Instruments | Crystal Tutorials |
--- |
Virtual Instrument Project | ||
| Subtractive Synthesis | --- |
--- |
--- | ||
| Working with a Sample Player | --- | --- |
--- | ||
| --- | --- | --- |
--- | ||
| Working With MIDI | --- | --- | MIDI Problem Project | ||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | ||
| MIDI Technology | --- | --- | Composition Project | ||
| Other Tools | Books Applications |
--- | --- | ||
| Lab | --- | --- | --- | ||
| Lab | --- | --- | --- | ||
| Student Work | --- | --- | --- | ||
| Career Development | Career Development Page | --- | --- |
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
| Resources: |
Part 2: Digital Performer Orientation
•A first look at DP with the MIDI file downloaded from Internet
Part 1: Looking at MIDI in Digital Performer
•Opening a DP file
•The consolidated window
•The Tracks window
•Play enabling tracks
•Solo function
•Difference between audio and MIDI tracks
•Quick look at
different windows
| Resources: |
Part 2: Sound Modules
•Discussion of the devices that make the sounds
•Patch changes in a General MIDI instrument
•Adding a new instrument (MOTU Bassline)
•Patch changes in Bassline
| Resources: |
Part 1: Editing MIDI Data
•How MIDI data is stored on the computer
•Different types of sequencers
•Editing MIDI data
| Resources: |
Part 2: Sequencing
•Setting up a metronome
•Countoff & Wait modes
•Arming a track and hearing a patch
•Real-time recording
| Resources: |
Part 1: Recording MIDI Data
•How MIDI Controllers communicate with sound modules
•Controller Orientation
•Audio/MIDI Setup
•USB Interface
•Reassign MIDI output in DP tracks to current controller
| Resources: |
Part 2: MIDI Controllers
•Working with editing windows: Edit List, Graphic (MIDI), Quickscribe
•Velocity and duration editing
•Transposing MIDI pitches
•First look at Conductor track
| Resources: |
Part 1: Notation in DP, Finale
•Quantizing
•Adding similar tracks
•Step-recording
•Changing patches
•Mixing & automation
| Resources: |
Part 2: Standard MIDI Files
•Individual work on Chords project
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
| Resources: |
Part 1: Additive & Subtractive Synthesis
•Working with Virtual Instruments in DP
•Programming a subtractive synthesizer
| Resources: |
Part 2: Starting From Scratch
•Creating a DP project
•Project setup & templates
| Resources: |
Part 1: Working With MIDI
•More about quantizing
•Duration issues
•Velocity issues
•Working with MIDI automation
| Resources: |
Part 2: Other MIDI Tools
•Quickeys
•Transcribe
•Sibelius
•iTunes
•Audacity
•Toast
•Graphic Converter
•iChat
•Database Software (Appleworks)
•Garageband
•Versiontracker
| Resources: |
Part 1: Lab
•Individual work
Part 2: Lab
•Individual work
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)
| Resources: |
Part 2: Student Work
•Please have a project ready to present to the class.
| Resources: |