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Technology in the Music Class. NAFME Presentation York College October 27, 2011 Robert Anderson 2011. Where I’m coming from. Piano & voice – mostly classical training Some IT background On-location/Live recording and audio for video or live broadcast. Tips for buying stuff. Make a plan.
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Technology in the Music Class NAFME Presentation York College October 27, 2011 Robert Anderson 2011
Where I’m coming from • Piano & voice – mostly classical training • Some IT background • On-location/Live recording and audio for video or live broadcast
Make a plan • Identify yourself: gadget person or luddite? • Know your weakness… • Identify your needs (both current and future) • What problems are you trying to solve? • What would you like to accomplish? • Integrate existing stuff or start from scratch? • Sometimes cheaper in the long run • Is technology the answer? • What is your budget? • Don’t forget cost of maintenance and upgrades • You often get what you pay for… • Spend a little more now, save a lot later
Do your homework! • Product reviews can be helpful, but should not be your only source of info • Don’t get excited just because something is new • Let others work out the bugs • Do I really need all of the bells and whistles? • Do I really need to update or upgrade? • Not always a good idea • Perform updates and upgrades with caution • What problems will this technology solve? • What advantage will I gain? • What are the system requirements? Always ask about educational licenses and discounts!
Sources for shopping • AcademicSuperstore.com • Studica.com Other good places to shop: • Try direct from the manufacturer • Can’t hurt! • Full Compass • Soundtree (Korg) • Used market – eBay & Craigslist • Buyer beware!
Computer Parts A.K.A. “System Requirements” • Processor (CPU) • “Grand Central Station” • the brain • RAM (Memory) • “disposable” storage: scratch pad or Post-It Note • Temporarily loads programs & samples so processor has quick access • Hard Disk Drive (HDD) • “long-term” storage: filing cabinet • Internal vs. “removable”
“Peripherals” • Firewire (IEEE 1394) • Used for HDD’s & Audio interfaces • 3 speeds – different cables/connectors • 400 and 800 are used for audio • Getting hard to find… • USB • Used for HDD’s, MIDI & Audio interfaces • 3 Speeds – 2 types of connector • Others • eSATA • Thunderbolt
Music Production Hardware • Controller • Physical device that allows you to interact with (i.e. “control”) electronic instruments or software • Interface • Gets “signal” into and out of the computer • Microphone • Turns “sound” into “signal” • Monitors • Speakers – turns “signal” into “sound” • Passive = needs amplifier • Powered = amplifier built-in
Analog Audio Connectors • RCA • used for “consumer” equipment • 1/8” TRS • Used for most “consumer” headphones • Quarter-Inch (1/4”) • TS • Guitar and instrument cables • TRS • balanced line-level connections • Stereo outputs – “professional” headphones etc. • XLR • Microphone cables • Balanced line-level connections • Neutrik “combo” socket • Combination ¼” and XLR
How big is my audio signal? • Importance of understanding the signal level • Too weak? Hiss and hum; Too strong? Distortion • Types of audio signal levels • “Speaker Level” • Don’t plug this into anything other than a speaker (unless you like smoke) • Line level • Typical signal level for “professional” equipment • Uses ¼” TRS or XLR connector • Instrument Level • Varies widely depending on output level of instrument • Often needs some boost going into a Line Level input • Uses ¼” TS connector • Consumer Level • Fairly small signal level used to interconnect audio for consumer devices such as home stereo, DVD, VCR • Uses RCA connector • Mic Level • smallest level – needs boosting by preamplifier (“preamp”) • Uses XLR connector
MIDI • MIDI? What’s that? • MIDI is a protocol • MIDI is like a “text message” • Instructions necessary to perform the music • “Sheet music” for electronic instruments • Audio or MIDI? What’s the difference? • Audio signal is an electronic representation of a sound wave • You can “hear” audio (if it’s fed into a speaker somehow…) • MIDI needs an instrument or playback device to execute the command • The MIDI command triggers the device to generate an audio signal • Uses DIN 5 connector • Also commonly connected directly over USB
Digital Audio • SPDIF • “coaxial” or “coax” • Uses RCA connector • 2 Channels on one cable • ADAT • a.k.a. TOSLINK or Lightpipe • Optical connection – i.e. uses light • Up to 8 Channels on one cable • AES/EBU • Uses XLR connector • 2 Channels on one cable • Word Clock • Keeps sampling clocks in sync • Can be embedded in digital audio signal • BNC connector
Don’t Forget Visuals! • Big flat-screen monitor or TV can work • Projector • VGA input typical • Need adapter? • Composite vs. Component • Composite uses one RCA cable to carry an analog video signal • Component uses three RCA cables to carry an analog video signal • Any smooth surface can do in a pinch • Screen • Whiteboard • Smooth, light-colored wall • Screen Capture Software • NetOp for PC; Remote Desktop for Mac • Allows you to “share” your screen with networked computers • Remotely monitor what students are doing • Lockout computer screens when you need students’ attention
Areas where music tech can be applied • Music appreciation • Music theory • Performance • practice and rehearsals • concerts • Music production
Types of Software • Music player software • Notation software • Ear training software • Music production software • Sequencers • Digital Audio Editors • Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) • Virtual Instruments
Music Appreciation • Music players • Computer with DVD or Blu-Ray drive • iPods and other “mp3” players • Blu-Ray or DVD player • CD player • Playback system • Projection system if you want video • Don’t overlook the web! • YouTube • Naxos Online Music Library • Websites dedicated to composers and topics
What do I need? • Computer • High-speed internet helps • Software • iTunes works on PC or Mac • Quicktime for video • Browsers: Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Chrome • Keep your Adobe Flash player current • Mediaconverter.org • No internet? Convert YouTube videos to Quicktime files (.mov) • Portable Music player • Any “mp3 player” can do the trick • Playback system • 1/8” -> RCA Y-cable (available at any Radio Shack) • Powered speakers • Traditional stereo system – receiver, amp, speakers • Plug into “aux” or “line” input; even “tape” • Adjust headphone volume for no distortion • Video Projection system
Music Theory • Notation Software • Finale • Sibelius • MuseScore (free!) • Ear Training Software • Auralia (from Sibelius) • GNU Solfege (Solfege.org – free!) • Too many to list • Production Software • Teach form, orchestration and composition • Using the keyboard • Can segue into notation and vice versa • Don’t forget the web! • musictheory.net • Teoria.com
Music Performance • Notation Software • Preparing scores and parts • Making/previewing arrangements • Make “play-along-at-home” tracks • Production software • Making/previewing arrangements • “play-along-at-home” tracks • Backing tracks • “Virtual accompanist” • Practice Aids • SmartMusic
Music Performance (continued) • Virtual Instruments • Fill in the missing parts • Laptop orchestra? • iPhone/iPod orchestra? • Digital Pianos or Keyboards • Lower cost of ownership • Students can use headphones
Music Production Loop-based Sequencers & Software Instruments • Mac Only • Garageband (free!* with purchase of Mac) • PC Only • Fruity Loops • Sony Acid • Acid Xpress – free (10 track limit) • Cross Platform • Reason • Ableton Live • Soundation Studio (online – free!) Free Audio recording and editing software: • Audacity
Music Production Full-Featured DAW’s • Cross Platform • Cubase/Nuendo • Pro Tools • Reaper • Mac Only • Logic • Digital Performer • Windows Only • Cakewalk Sonar • Samplitude/Sequoia
What do I need? • Computer • Software • External HDD • MIDI controller • Audio Interface • Speakers or headphones • Microphone(s) • Stands and cabling
Which program is right for me? • What is the primary need? • Audio recording, routing and editing? • MIDI and virtual instrument production? • What are the system requirements? • Is it cross-platform? • Do you care? • What plug-in formats does it support? • AU, VST, RTAS, directx