Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Project 7 Children's Story
In this project you need to combine the skills you have established with FL studio's music composition tools and the Edison audio editior to record a children's story. I like using children's storys because they are short, and I have a lot of them on hand.
Your assignment is to record and arrange audio bits to tell the story, and include music to accompany your readings. You should have a specific sound alerting the reader that it's time to turn the page and you should have an introduction that mentions the title of the book as well as the author and reader (that's you).
Due to copyright restictions, we cannot post these recordings because we do not own the right to record and distribute these books.
Your assignment is to record and arrange audio bits to tell the story, and include music to accompany your readings. You should have a specific sound alerting the reader that it's time to turn the page and you should have an introduction that mentions the title of the book as well as the author and reader (that's you).
Due to copyright restictions, we cannot post these recordings because we do not own the right to record and distribute these books.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Project 6: The Edison Audio Editior
Recording your analog voice- or an instrument is done with a microphone. Once you make an analog recording it becomes a "sample" that you can play with. You can do a lot of editing with the powerful Edision Audio Editor that comes with FL Studio. Think of it as word processing for recordings. You can edit parts out, insert bits here and there, delete noise and even insert silence.
Your project is to record yourself counting to 4, and then edit the recording you made so that you are counting backwards from 4. Like this:
Your project is to record yourself counting to 4, and then edit the recording you made so that you are counting backwards from 4. Like this:
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Assignment 5: Layers
A layer channel gives you the ability to control more than one channel at once. Layer channels have no sound of thier own, but they can control many other chanels. These controled channels are called "children". Adding a layer channel is simple. In the main menu at the top of the screen, go to channels- add one- layer.
Since the layer channel doesn't make any sound of it's own, you have to choose some channels for it to play. So, add a few more sounds to your step sequencer that you think will blend nicely together (for example: piano, strings, bass). Be creative here! Come up with a good blends and explain why you chose the sounds that you did in your post.
Your layer should control at least 3 other channels and the blend of instruments should be justifiable.
Here's an example of what I'm looking for by Jennie (class of '07):
Since the layer channel doesn't make any sound of it's own, you have to choose some channels for it to play. So, add a few more sounds to your step sequencer that you think will blend nicely together (for example: piano, strings, bass). Be creative here! Come up with a good blends and explain why you chose the sounds that you did in your post.
Your layer should control at least 3 other channels and the blend of instruments should be justifiable.
Here's an example of what I'm looking for by Jennie (class of '07):
Assignment 3: The Arpeggiator
The arpeggiator is a powerful tool that you can use to make one note into many. Open the channel settings tab of any melodic instrument (not a drum) and click on FUNC- the last tab in the series. In this window you can turn on the arpegiator and tweak it's settings. You can change the octave, range, speed and even the chord or scale that your channel will play.
Your assignment is to use the arpeggiator in one of your channels to write a new loop. You don't have to use drums if you don't want to, but the loop should be more than just one channel with the arpegiator turned on. Here's an example of what I'm looking for by Aubry (Class of 2010):
As always, comment on your classmates work by visiting their blogs.
Your assignment is to use the arpeggiator in one of your channels to write a new loop. You don't have to use drums if you don't want to, but the loop should be more than just one channel with the arpegiator turned on. Here's an example of what I'm looking for by Aubry (Class of 2010):
As always, comment on your classmates work by visiting their blogs.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Assignment Two: Bass Lines
So, you have successfully composed your first drum loop. Time for project 2.
Your next assignment is to make a second post to your blog. This one has to be a bass line to go with a new drum loop. The drum loop has to be longer -32 dots instead of 16, Otherwise, it's like your first assignment. Compose two contrasting patterns connected by a third pattern. Feel free to dress it up anyway you like. There's an example at the bottom of the page. As always, you must make a detailed post to your blog explaining how you approached the project and what inspired your loop, and you must comment on your classmate's projects. Say something positive, and say something constructive
Some hints on bass construction:
1. Listen to your favorite music and notice the bass part. It sounds obvious, but I'm amazed by the number of submissions I get that don't sound like bass lines. Start by doing some thoughtful listening.
2. Keep the bass in the low register (below C5). Bass lines should not be very high in pitch.
3. Don't make the bass play more than one note at a time. Not that it can't be done, it's just simpler with one note at a time.
4. Be aware of how the bass line will fit with your drum pattern. A good starting place is to consider having the bass double the rhythm of the kick drum. Here's an example:
100 Maximum points :
20 The sound chosen for the bass had an appropriate bass timbre. I used the BooBass for the sample below (Channels-Add One- BooBass)
10 The bass line was in the correct register.
10 The bass line complemented the drums.
10 The mix was balanced.
10 The project was of proper length.
20 Effort/ Creativity
20 Blog post was descriptive, positive and constructive comments on classmated blogs were issued.
Good luck!
P.S. If you don't like the BooBass or any of the other bass sounds available, go download one!
How to add a sampled bass sound to your FLStudio.
1. Launch FL Studio and go to the help dropdown menu, then select FLStudio homepage.
2. At the bottom of the page click on samplefusion.
3. Select one of the samplefusion packs to get your samples from. For this project you'll probably want bass case.
4. Click on the .ZIP file of a sample to download it.
5. Save the file to your "My Documents" folder.
6. Close everything, and then open your my documents folder. Fine the .ZIP file and click on it to open it with WinZip.
7. As you click through the screens to unzip the file, watch for the one that asks you where you want to put the unzipped file. The default is the C drive and you do not have access to it. You must choose your "My Documents" folder.
8. Open FL Studio and go to Channels- Add One- Sampler.
9. Click on the sampler channel that appears in the step sequencer. Click on the folder Icon next to the word "none", and navigate to your "My Documents" folder to find your unzipped file.
10. Add the file, and write for it!
Your next assignment is to make a second post to your blog. This one has to be a bass line to go with a new drum loop. The drum loop has to be longer -32 dots instead of 16, Otherwise, it's like your first assignment. Compose two contrasting patterns connected by a third pattern. Feel free to dress it up anyway you like. There's an example at the bottom of the page. As always, you must make a detailed post to your blog explaining how you approached the project and what inspired your loop, and you must comment on your classmate's projects. Say something positive, and say something constructive
Some hints on bass construction:
1. Listen to your favorite music and notice the bass part. It sounds obvious, but I'm amazed by the number of submissions I get that don't sound like bass lines. Start by doing some thoughtful listening.
2. Keep the bass in the low register (below C5). Bass lines should not be very high in pitch.
3. Don't make the bass play more than one note at a time. Not that it can't be done, it's just simpler with one note at a time.
4. Be aware of how the bass line will fit with your drum pattern. A good starting place is to consider having the bass double the rhythm of the kick drum. Here's an example:
100 Maximum points :
20 The sound chosen for the bass had an appropriate bass timbre. I used the BooBass for the sample below (Channels-Add One- BooBass)
10 The bass line was in the correct register.
10 The bass line complemented the drums.
10 The mix was balanced.
10 The project was of proper length.
20 Effort/ Creativity
20 Blog post was descriptive, positive and constructive comments on classmated blogs were issued.
Good luck!
P.S. If you don't like the BooBass or any of the other bass sounds available, go download one!
How to add a sampled bass sound to your FLStudio.
1. Launch FL Studio and go to the help dropdown menu, then select FLStudio homepage.
2. At the bottom of the page click on samplefusion.
3. Select one of the samplefusion packs to get your samples from. For this project you'll probably want bass case.
4. Click on the .ZIP file of a sample to download it.
5. Save the file to your "My Documents" folder.
6. Close everything, and then open your my documents folder. Fine the .ZIP file and click on it to open it with WinZip.
7. As you click through the screens to unzip the file, watch for the one that asks you where you want to put the unzipped file. The default is the C drive and you do not have access to it. You must choose your "My Documents" folder.
8. Open FL Studio and go to Channels- Add One- Sampler.
9. Click on the sampler channel that appears in the step sequencer. Click on the folder Icon next to the word "none", and navigate to your "My Documents" folder to find your unzipped file.
10. Add the file, and write for it!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Assignment One
Greetings class!
If you are reading this, you are close to completing your first assignment of composing your first drum loop, mixing it down to MP3 format and posting it on your blog.
In our first class, we started to explore FLStudio. You should have a good working knowledge of the various parts of the program including the toolbars, the pattern selector, browser and playlist. You will need all of these tools to complete your assignment. To review anything, even to skip ahead a bit, check out the FL studio video tutorials here: Don't forget, you can only access these from school where we have a site licence for the software and are allowed to use the videos and other features.
Your assignment is to create a drum loop that runs at least 10 seconds long. It should have two contrasting patterns that are connected by a drum fill. Your patterns should make musical sense with subdivisions between the different percussion instruments used. I'm also looking for good use of panning and balance of all instruments, and use of panning. The FL studio file must be exported as an mp3, uploaded to Twango, and then embedded into your post on Blogger. You must make a descriptive entry describing your drum loop, and why you decided to make it sound the way it does. The more descriptive the better, and "because I liked it" or "it's cool" doesn't count. Next you must visit your classmates blogs using the links from my blog (this can be done outside of class at any computer) and leave a comment for each of your classmates that points out at least one specific positive comment and one specific constructive comment. Again "because I liked it" doesn't count.
Here are some guidelines for writing your first drum loop:
1. Start with the bass drum on beats 1 and 3 and put the snare drum on beats 2 and 4. This establishes the ground rhythm or pulse. You can tweak it later to make it more interesting.
2. Pick a higher pitched percussion instrument (hi hat, shaker, tambourine, ride cymbal, etc) to play subdivisions of the ground rhythm i.e. even eighth notes.
3. Simple is good. This pattern needs to be played many times in a row, so don't make it difficult to listen to. Think of the beat to one of your favorite songs.
3. In the graph editor under velocity, make beat 1 fairly strong.
4. Also in the graph editor, pan your drums to enhance the stereo field. Imagine you are sitting at the drum set. Where is each instrument located? Pan to make it match the image in your head. Listen to your favorite music with headphones on and listen for panning.
5. Your fill should be busier than your basic drum patterns.
Here's a rubric for this assignment. Deductions can be made from the overall points allotted to each part of the project as partial credit at my discretion. Maximum score 100 points:
20 Proper usage of bass drum, snare drum and other percussion.
10 Two patterns connected by a fill are easily identifiable.
10 Example is at least 10 seconds long.
10 Use of panning to enhance stereo field.
10. The link to the audio file is embedded in the blog post and the link works properly.
10. The post text is descriptive of the embedded audio sample.
10. Comments on classmates blogs are insightful.
10 Creativity.
10 Effort.
A few words on Creativity and Effort:
You will always be graded on creativity and effort in this class.
Creativity is a measure of what you have done with the project at hand. For this project, you could simply put the kick drum on 1 and 3 and the snare on 2 and 4 for the first pattern, make a single cymbal crash for the fill and then put the bass on 123 and4 for the last pattern. You will have met the critera, but will not have been creative. It can be your own style, or within the style of an established genre (Hip Hop, Rock, Techno, etc.) If the melody of your piece is singable, or if the groove makes your foot tap, then you have done your job.
Effort is an indicator of class time used wisely, and putting care into the final product. Evidence of good effort is usually found in the details of the final project: Balance, blend, use of panning, sounds that aren't used are deleted, the patterns are organized, etc.
Here's an example of what I'm looking for.
Once you have your loop completed, export it as an MP3 file and post it on your blog. I'll listen to it (so will your classmates), comment on it and give you a grade.
Have fun!
Mr. Rabuse
If you are reading this, you are close to completing your first assignment of composing your first drum loop, mixing it down to MP3 format and posting it on your blog.
In our first class, we started to explore FLStudio. You should have a good working knowledge of the various parts of the program including the toolbars, the pattern selector, browser and playlist. You will need all of these tools to complete your assignment. To review anything, even to skip ahead a bit, check out the FL studio video tutorials here: Don't forget, you can only access these from school where we have a site licence for the software and are allowed to use the videos and other features.
Your assignment is to create a drum loop that runs at least 10 seconds long. It should have two contrasting patterns that are connected by a drum fill. Your patterns should make musical sense with subdivisions between the different percussion instruments used. I'm also looking for good use of panning and balance of all instruments, and use of panning. The FL studio file must be exported as an mp3, uploaded to Twango, and then embedded into your post on Blogger. You must make a descriptive entry describing your drum loop, and why you decided to make it sound the way it does. The more descriptive the better, and "because I liked it" or "it's cool" doesn't count. Next you must visit your classmates blogs using the links from my blog (this can be done outside of class at any computer) and leave a comment for each of your classmates that points out at least one specific positive comment and one specific constructive comment. Again "because I liked it" doesn't count.
Here are some guidelines for writing your first drum loop:
1. Start with the bass drum on beats 1 and 3 and put the snare drum on beats 2 and 4. This establishes the ground rhythm or pulse. You can tweak it later to make it more interesting.
2. Pick a higher pitched percussion instrument (hi hat, shaker, tambourine, ride cymbal, etc) to play subdivisions of the ground rhythm i.e. even eighth notes.
3. Simple is good. This pattern needs to be played many times in a row, so don't make it difficult to listen to. Think of the beat to one of your favorite songs.
3. In the graph editor under velocity, make beat 1 fairly strong.
4. Also in the graph editor, pan your drums to enhance the stereo field. Imagine you are sitting at the drum set. Where is each instrument located? Pan to make it match the image in your head. Listen to your favorite music with headphones on and listen for panning.
5. Your fill should be busier than your basic drum patterns.
Here's a rubric for this assignment. Deductions can be made from the overall points allotted to each part of the project as partial credit at my discretion. Maximum score 100 points:
20 Proper usage of bass drum, snare drum and other percussion.
10 Two patterns connected by a fill are easily identifiable.
10 Example is at least 10 seconds long.
10 Use of panning to enhance stereo field.
10. The link to the audio file is embedded in the blog post and the link works properly.
10. The post text is descriptive of the embedded audio sample.
10. Comments on classmates blogs are insightful.
10 Creativity.
10 Effort.
A few words on Creativity and Effort:
You will always be graded on creativity and effort in this class.
Creativity is a measure of what you have done with the project at hand. For this project, you could simply put the kick drum on 1 and 3 and the snare on 2 and 4 for the first pattern, make a single cymbal crash for the fill and then put the bass on 123 and4 for the last pattern. You will have met the critera, but will not have been creative. It can be your own style, or within the style of an established genre (Hip Hop, Rock, Techno, etc.) If the melody of your piece is singable, or if the groove makes your foot tap, then you have done your job.
Effort is an indicator of class time used wisely, and putting care into the final product. Evidence of good effort is usually found in the details of the final project: Balance, blend, use of panning, sounds that aren't used are deleted, the patterns are organized, etc.
Here's an example of what I'm looking for.
Once you have your loop completed, export it as an MP3 file and post it on your blog. I'll listen to it (so will your classmates), comment on it and give you a grade.
Have fun!
Mr. Rabuse
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