SAE MIDI and Electronic Music Production Course

BUCHAREST

MIDI and Electronic Music Production 1st Year Year - Diploma in Audio Engineering

Semester III

Module 103 Applied Music Production Unit 103.2 MIDI and Electronic Music Production Prerequisites None Co-requisites None Co-requisites None Mode of Study On Campus Last revised Dec 16, 2013

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Unit Outline Synopsis The theoretical and practical aspects of MIDI electronic music based productions are discussed and examined. Students will be guided through the process of modern electronic music based productions in various musical genres, as well as implementing MIDI concepts in non-music related fields such as synchronization. Basic introduction to general synthesis and the various methods of synthesis will also be introduced. Lastly, Lastly, the various softwares used most commonly in electronic music productions will be introduced and students will be guided on its usage.

Course Aims This unit explores the art and craft of electronic music production (EMP) using a digital audio workstation. The history of sound synthesis and its influence on the popular musical landscape is analyzed and the contribution of synthesized instruments/sounds to different musical genres is considered. It examines the MIDI communication protocol, as applied to hardware as well as software. Typical studio set-ups are analyzed, and common sequencing applications and techniques are instructed, as well as audio sampling techniques that are frequently used production of a variety of electronic music styles.

Learning Outcomes On completion of this course, students will be able to:

L2

Define the concept and specifications of the MIDI protocol, including General MIDI Interpret MIDI messages – channel, system and CC

L3

Connect MIDI devices, and transfer MIDI data using standard MIDI files

L4

Define the main parameters in synthesis and sampling

L5

Define the concepts of the different synthesis techniques

L1







Generic Skill Outcomes On completion of this course, students will have participated in learning activities and assessment tasks designed to enhance their ability to: G1

Connect MIDI devices, and transfer MIDI data using standard MIDI files

G2

Demonstrate professional use of a software sequencer

G3

Conn onnect ect an and co control trol exte extern rna al MID MIDII de device vices s fro from m a sof softw twar are e se sequenc uencer er

G4

Imp Implemen ementt syn synth the esize sizers rs in any any music sic seq sequ uence encerr to to att attai ain n def defiined ned sou soun nds

G5

Demonstrate professional use of Reason/Ableton Live/Logic and its instruments Use synthesizers to attain defined sounds

G6

Implementing the Rewire protocol to synchronize any of the above MIDI sequencers as a slave application to a DAW

G7

Course Content •

•

MIDI Theory •

History of MIDI

•

MIDI Specifications

•

Data transmission

•

MIDI ports (in, out, through)

•

MIDI connection rules

•

MIDI channels

•

Monophony vs. Polyphony

•

Multi-timbral instruments

•

The 4 MIDI modes

•

MIDI protocol

•

The MIDI message: status byte, data byte 1, data byte 2

•

Channel messages – voice, mode

•

MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages

•

System messages – real time, common, exclusive

•

MIDI Implementation charts

•

Standard MIDI files

•

General MIDI standards

•

MIDI Time Code (MTC)

Reason •

Reason overview

•

Re-wire

•

Using the mixer in Reason







•

Using soft synthesizers

•

Making multi-layered synth sounds

•

Refills

•

Patching and layering effects

•

•

•

Control surface mapping

•

Creating song arrangement in Reason

•

Programming patterns

•

Mixing in Reason

•

Bouncing an audio (as a song or loop)

Ableton Live •

Ableton Live overview overview

•

Arrangement Mode Mode View

•

Session Mode View

•

Recording tracks/clips in Arrangement Arrangement Mode & Session Mode

•

Triggering of clips, scenes

•

•

Automation

Audio/MIDI clip parameters parameters

•

Time warp

•

Global record/automation record/automation

•

Control surface mapping

•

External instruments

•

Rewire implemented

•

MIDI editing functions in Ableton Live

•

Overview of Ableton Live audio & MIDI plug-ins

•

Operator soft synth

•

Sampler

•

Creating song arrangement in Ableton Live

•

Mixing in Ableton Live

•

Exporting your mix

Logic !

Introduction to Logic Audio

!

Working with windows and screen sets

!

Cycle and catch mode settings

!

Recording audio

!

Sample editor

!

Adjusting tempo to match regions









!

MIDI environment

!

Overview of the virtual instruments

!

Recording MIDI

!

Hyper editor

!

Piano Roll editor

!

Score editor

!

Event list editor

!

Quantising notes

!

Transposing notes

!

Working with MIDI r egions egions in the arrange window

!

Assigning insert insert effects

!

Assigning sends sends to effects

!

Using plug-ins

!

Grouping channels

!

Assigning real real time controllers controllers

!

Track automation

!

Creating final mix

!

Saving functions (save as project)

Core Resources Studios and Lab Facilities !

Media Lab facility

Equipment !

Logic Pro

!

Hardware MIDI devices

!

MIDI controllers

!

Reason

!

Microphones & M-Box

Recommended Resources







Assessment Summary The assessment items for this course are designed to allow students to apply and demonstrate their knowledge and skills of MIDI and Electronic Music Production in the completion of a range of practical and theoretical exercises and basic applications linked to the broad fields of

No.

Assessment Item

Due

Worth

1.

Theory Exam

Week 5

20.00%

Week 11

70.00%

Week 1-11

10.00%

Student is being assessed on the theoretical knowledge. 2.

(Outcomes L1, L2, L4, L5). Project 01 (EMP) Student demonstrates the practical application of the theory into a project.

3.

(Outcomes L3, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5). Tutorial Pa Participation Assesses the student’s student’s participation participation and class work during the course. (Outcomes L1, L2, L4, L5, G1, G3, G4).

The following points relating to assessment for this course should be noted:

Marking Criteria and marking guidelines for each assessment assessmen t item will be distributed distribut ed during Week 1 of the semester in which the course is offered. To To obtain a pass for this course, you must complete each assessment item it em and obtain a total mark of at least 16. The SAE Assessment Policy Poli cy defines the mode of grading for this course.

Submissions A copy copy of all assessments assessments must be submitted via the Assignment FTP Uploader on the the day it is due unless otherwise specified on the assessment criteria sheet. For example: a high resolution CD or







Assessment items submitted more than ten days after the assessment due date are awarded zero marks as defined by SAE Assessment policy unless a completed Mitigating Circumstances Form available from the Administration Administration is approved and signed by your Head of Department.

Consultation If you are experiencing difficulties of any kind in completing your assessment you should consult your lecturer or tutor, as soon as you become aware of the problem.

Feedback Feedback for all assessment items will normally be provided within 1 month of the due date.

Teaching and Learning Methods This course will use lectures to provide insights into the principles of MIDI/EMP, MIDI/EMP, with supporting laboratory sessions for students to research and apply practical skills.

Student Workload To achieve the Learning and Generic Skill outcomes detailed for this course, students are expected to attend 3 hours of face-to-face classes and approximately 7 hours of independent study and research per week.







Assessment Criteria Assessment 1 (Theory Exam) Purpose To assess students based on their understanding of MIDI technology (terms/definitions), interconnections interconnections between different devices and basic synthesis concepts. Description •

This theory exam paper consists of 5 pages, with 2 sections consisting of 11 questions for Section 1, and 10 questions for Section 2.

•

This is an INDIVIDUAL assessment.

•

You are required to sit in for this written assignment. Attendance will be taken.

Submission Requirements •

Lesson 5

•

Bring pen and calculator

Structure NA. Naming and submission of Assessment NA. Submissions Submission must be in electronic format form at to SAE Institute Student Portal, Port al, and must be placed in the folder relevant to the course and assessment item. If you are unsure, ask your tutor. The file must NOT be write-protected or password-protected. Assessments not following these standards may have to be resubmitted, and may incur late







Consultation If you are experiencing difficulties of any kind in completing your assessment you should consult your lecturer as soon as you become aware of the problem.









Assessment 2 (EMP Project) Purpose To enable students with the appropriate knowledge and techniques used in a MIDI-based environment, utilising commonly used music sequencing programs (i.e. Reason, Ableton Live, Logic). Upon completion of the project, students should be able to fully understand & incorporate MIDI sequencing, synthesis and sampling into the production methods of a commercially produced piece of music. Description !

Students are required to use Reason, Ableton Live or Logic as their main MIDI sequencing program for this assignment. They are allowed to use the software either as a stand-alone application or rewired (synchronized) to another Master or Slave application to further expand on the available tools/plug-ins tools/plug-ins in the separate application (i.e. Ableton Live (master) rewired to Reason (slave)).

!

There must be clear evidence of MIDI editing in the session tracks (i.e. altering of Note velocities, quantization of timing errors). Students should also exhibit proficiency in terms of using the available features in the chosen applications. applications.

Submission Requirements •

Lesson 11







Structure Word count (excluding cover sheet, tables, appendix and referencing) •

1000

A 10% 10% deviation is acceptable. acceptable. The logbook is to include a cover sheet with your name and student number, course code, assessment identifier, lecturer, document version number, date and word count if applicable. The logbook’s logbook’s font must be Arial, size 12, left aligned with 1.5 paragraph line spacing. The document is to be saved in a single PDF file, with all relevant images embedded. Page numbers, headers and footer need to be included. The file must NOT be write-protected or password-protected. Naming and submission of Assessment Assessments MUST MUST be named using using the following following standard: UNITCODE_Ass<#>_SURNAME_ UNITCODE_Ass<#>_SURNAME_Firstname>_v_v.rsn >.rsn (reason session file) Where # is the Assessment Assessment number, and n is the version number of the submission. For example: 103.2_Ass1_JONES_Les_v1.rsn (reason session file) Submissions Submission must be in electronic format form at to SAE Institute Student Portal, Port al, and must be placed in the folder relevant to the course and assessment item. An other copy must submitted in hard-copy format in a CD/DVD-R to the designated lecturer for this module. Make sure that the required







Marking Criteria This assessment has a weighting of 70%. 70%. The marking criteria are: Marking Criteria Practical Assignment Logbook TOTAL

Consultation If you are experiencing difficulties of any kind in completing your assessment you should consult your lecturer as soon as you become aware of the problem.







Assessment 3 (Tutorials) (Tutorials) Purpose Practical exercises designed to gauge student skills and experience and provide practical support for students. Description Assessment marks will be based partly on in-tutorial participation and partly on exercises that will be submitted. Students will be asked to submit various exercises as outlined during the weekly tutorials. Learning & Generic Outcomes L1, L2, L4, L5, G1, G3, G4. Submission Requirements As instructed during during the lessons. Marking Criteria This assessment has a weighting of 10%. 10%. The marking criteria is Marking Criteria Participation !

In class

!

Outside class

!

In studios

SAE MIDI and Electronic Music Production Course

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