[Weekly Summaries: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12]
2020 Winter
Monday, 1/13
Two open desks today, with two absences and two more adds. Looks like the class is full.
Work time on assignment #1. Introduce Logic basics: starting the program, setting up the project with the empty template and one track, overview of the interface, editing notes, quantizing*, looping regions in multiple ways, adding new tracks, snap, view (adding time to the ruler), basic intro to global tracks. Work time on the Garage Band project. Most Garage Band projects appear to be finished.
* did basic quantizing in the Region block at the left side only. Did not do it in the region editing window at bottom of screen.
Wednesday, 1/16
Did most of the “first pass” of assessing assignment #1 — Completed rows A-E (starting from door) but did none of the back 3 in row E. Next class start with row E and then go to row F. At that point need to do the “second pass” for the entire class.
Introduced a few more Logic skills: three ways to repeat a region. But NOT: snap modes, piano roll and score views, some editing techniques, some global tracks, swing quantizing, three methods of reusing the events in a region (duplicate, loop, alias. Need to mention that there is an assignment #2, listed as due on Monday, January 27 due to next week being shortened by Monday holiday.
Did not cover: replace button, very basic multi track recording.
2019 Winter
Monday, 1/14
Work time on assignment #1. Introduce Logic basics: starting the program, setting up the project with the empty template and one track, overview of the interface, editing notes, quantizing*, looping regions in multiple ways, adding new tracks, snap, view (adding time to the ruler), basic intro to global tracks. Work time on the Garage Band project. Most Garage Band projects appear to be finished.
* did basic quantizing in the Region block at the left side only. Did not do it in the region editing window at bottom of screen.
Wednesday, 1/16
Did most of the “first pass” of assessing assignment #1 — Completed rows A-D (starting from door) and did the back 3 in row E. Next class start with the front 2 (double check) in row E and then go to row F. At that point need to do the “second pass” for the entire class.
Introduced a few more Logic skills: snap modes, piano roll and score views, some editing techniques, some global tracks, swing quantizing, three methods of reusing the events in a region (duplicate, loop, alias. Need to mention that there is an assignment #2, listed as due on Monday, January 28 due to next week being shortened by Monday holiday.
Did not cover: replace button, very basic multi track recording.
2017 Spring
Monday, 4/17
Work time on assignment #1. Introduce Logic basics: starting the program, setting up the project with the empty template and one track, overview of the interface, editing notes, quantizing, looping regions in multiple ways, adding new tracks, snap, view (adding time to the ruler), basic intro to global tracks. Work time on the Garage Band project.
Attendance: 31 registered, 24 present, 3 called in absent, 4 unaccounted for.
Tuesday, 4/18
Move on to the Subtractor today, the concept of modularity, subtractive and analog synthesis, and the oscillators and noise generator. Went over oscillator controls and the noise generator. Described waveforms and what they look like and the fact that they provide different timbral qualities. Did an extremely basic “here is what a filter is” session introducing the four filter types, and demonstrated the audio effect of filtering on a sawtooth wave and noise. Did NOT yet do the ADSRs, how to select presets, or the details of harmonics!
Attendance: There were 23 but now are 21 now enrolled. One student was dropped for non-attendance and another reported having to drop due to family issues.}
Wednesday, 4/19
The main task today was the “first pass” of assessing assignment #1, which I completed. There remains a small number of students (perhaps a half dozen) who will play at the “second pass” at the next meeting on Monday of Week III. I mentioned that there is an assignment #2, I labeled it as due next Wednesday, but we did not look at it in class. We went over the three methods of reusing the events in a region, and we did a quick overview of the loop sound resources in Logic.
Need to do concepts for assignment 3. Also need time to work on Logic assignment.
Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, very basic multi track recording. Did NOT yet announce the first Logic assignment (Assignment #2) so should remind the class at the next meeting and go over the assignment guidelines.
Attendance: 31 are now registered, as two more joined the class today. There were three absences today, with one being pre-excused.
Thursday, 4/20
Went over ADSRs today, and how they are used with AMP, filters, and (a bit) the MOD ADSR. Heard assignment #1. Went over harmonics and waveforms. Assigned the first quiz, due one week from today.
Attendance: 20 are registered, several were absent today.
2017 Winter
Monday, 1/16
No class — MLKing Holiday
Attendance: 31 now enrolled and 29 were present. Two students are still on the wait list from week I but they were not here at first meeting on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 10/4
None
Wednesday, 10/5
This is the only meeting this week due to Monday Holiday.
PLAN: Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic looping, transposing, quantizing using the Region section of the Inspector. Basic use of Apple loops. Most students seemed to be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. DID NOT DO: Piano roll versus score views.
Assignment #1 due next Monday. Need to assignment #2 date as. Did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
– – –
Spent almost the entire period hearing Garage Band projects. Heard all but a few, so do a “second pass”next Monday. Did not do anything new in Logic, but did explain the Logic assignment and set due date as next Wednesday.
On 10/10: Need to do concepts for assignment 3. Also need time to work on Logic assignment.
Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, very basic multi track recording. Did NOT yet announce the first Logic assignment (Assignment #2) so should remind the class at the next meeting and go over the assignment guidelines.
Attendance: 30 are still registered. One absence today, so 29 were present.
Thursday, 10/6
None
2016 Fall
Monday, 10/3
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic looping, transposing, quantizing using the Region section of the Inspector. Basic use of Apple loops. Most students seemed to be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. DID NOT DO: Piano roll versus score views.
Assignment #1 due this Wednesday. Need to assignment #2 date as. Did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
Attendance: 30 now enrolled and all were present. Added two more students who had seats. One student who wanted to add was still in the room at the end of the period, and others who had been on the wait list did not return — so it appears that I may have now only one left who is interested in adding.
Tuesday, 10/4
None
Wednesday, 10/5
Spent almost the entire period hearing Garage Band projects. Heard all but a few, so do a “second pass”next Monday. Did not do anything new in Logic, but did explain the Logic assignment and set due date as next Wednesday.
On 10/10: Need to do concepts for assignment 3. Also need time to work on Logic assignment.
Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, very basic multi track recording. Did NOT yet announce the first Logic assignment (Assignment #2) so should remind the class at the next meeting and go over the assignment guidelines.
Attendance: 30 are still registered. One absence today, so 29 were present.
Thursday, 10/6
None
2016 Spring
Monday, 4/11
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. DID NOT DO: Very basic looping info in Logic — e.g. the “loop checkbox” and how to use other regions to stop a looping region.
Assignment #1 due this Wednesday. Need to assignment #2 date as. Did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
Attendance: 30 now enrolled and all were present. One student came before class to talk about the possibility of adding but did not come back later. It appears that the class is at exactly 30 students.
Tuesday, 4/12
(Added a few final Redrum features — odds and ends. Introduced the Subtractor, the concept of modularity, subtractive and analog synthesis, and the oscillators and noise generator and the basic default setup of the ADRSs and then the use of the ADSR with amplitude. Showed how to select preset sounds for the Subtractor. Went over oscillator controls and the noise generator. Described waveforms and what they look like and the fact that they provide different timbral qualities. Did NOT yet explain harmonics, etc. Did and extremely basic “here is what a filter is” session at the end of the period.)
Attendance: There were 23 but now are 21 now enrolled. One student was dropped for non-attendance and another reported having to drop due to family issues.
Wednesday, 4/13
Did some loop basics — the empty loop and so forth. Some lab time to finish Garage Band projects.
New today: The basic looping information as per previous class “did not do” list, along w ith how to rename regions and tracks and how to use a “dummy region” to stop a repeating region. Gave a basic explanation of region quantizing in Logic, including definitions, how to do it, and when to/not to do it. Heard first pass of the Garage Band projects — made it all around the room except for the last row at the east side of the room. Start with that row next time, then hear the small number of “second pass” students. Work time on general Logic stuff. Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, very basic multi track recording. Did NOT yet announce the first Logic assignment (Assignment #2) so should remind the class at the next meeting and go over the assignment guidelines.
Attendance: 30 are still registered. One absence today, so 29 were present.
Thursday, 4/14
Began with very quick review of oscillator and noise generator settings. Next topic was filters – introduced types of filters, the frequency and resonance controls. Introduced harmonic content of waveforms and why filtering affects timbre. Assigned take-home quiz #1 — due one week from today on 4/21. Work time on #1 or beyond for those who finished #1. Heard #1 from most students — all of first four rows, two in row 5. Need to here the “next time around” students and the remainder first time students at the next class.
Attendance: 21 are registered and all attended today.
Friday
Not this quarter
2016 Winter
Monday, 1/11
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. DID NOT DO: Very basic looping info in Logic — e.g. the “loop checkbox” and how to use other regions to stop a looping region.
Assignment #1 due this Wednesday. Set assignment #2 date as a week from next Wednesday due to Monday Holiday, though did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
31 now enrolled, with two more present that I could not yet add. Two students contacted me for excused absences, so I actually have about 32 enrolled or wanting to add.
Tuesday, 1/12
Not this quarter
Wednesday, 1/13
New today: The basic looping information as per previous class “did not do” list, along with how to rename regions and tracks and how to use a “dummy region” to stop a repeating region. Heard first pass of the Garage Band projects — made it all around the room on the “first pass,” and still have the second pass folks to hear at the next class (Wednesday 1/20 due to holiday). Almost everyone was done, and perhaps only 5 or 6 are left to hear. Work time on general Logic stuff. Previously went over Logic quantizing and use of loop browser. Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, turning click on/off, very basic multi track recording. Did announce the first Logic assignment (Assignment #2) but somewhat informally, so should remind the class at the next meeting and go over the assignment guidelines.
30+ are still registered. Room was full, but a couple of students hit their second absence today, which means they were not here at all this week. I will contact them by email to find out their plans. Meanwhile, I added two more students and the room was full.
Thursday, 1/14
Not this quarter
Friday
Not this quarter
2015 Fall
Monday, 9/28
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. Very basic looping info in Logic — e.g. the “loop checkbox” and how to use other regions to stop a looping region.
Set deadline for assignent #1 as this Wednesday. WILL set assignment #2 date as the next Wednesday, though did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
30+ now enrolled, with one more present that I could not yet add. This presumed that two absences will not return next time, so I actually have about 32 enrolled.
Tuesday, 9/29
Not this quarter
Wednesday, 9/30
Heard first pass of the Garage Band projects — made it all around the room on the “first pass,” and still have the second pass folks to hear on Monday, probably starting from my left. Work time on general Logic stuff. Went over Logic quantizing and use of loop browser. Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, turning click on/off, very basic multi track recording. Need to announce first Logic assignment next time.
30+ are still registered. Room was full, but one student decided to drop because she felt that she would be better served by a keyboard, guitar, or fundamentals class as she wants to do some simple composing for corporate video.
Thursday, 410/1
Not this quarter
Friday
Not this quarter
2015 Spring
Monday, 4/13
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. Very basic looping info in Logic — e.g. the “loop checkbox” and how to use other regions to stop a looping region.
Set deadline for assignent #1 as this Wednesday. Set assignment #2 date as the next Wednesday, though did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
29 now enrolled after dropping one no show. 26 students were in attendance, so there were three absences today.
Tuesday, 4/14
Added a few final Redrum features — odds and ends. Introduced the Subtractor, the concept of modularity, subtractive and analog synthesis, and the oscillators and noise generator and the basic default setup of the ADRSs and then the use of the ADSR with amplitude. Showed how to select preset sounds for the Subtractor. Work time on the Redrum assignment.
26 are still registered — no change. There were 2 unexcused absences today.
Wednesday, 4/15
Heard almost all Garage Band projects — made it all around the room on the “first pass,” and still have the second pass folks to hear on Monday. Work time on general logic stuff. Went over Logic quantizing and use of loop browser. Did not cover:: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, turning click on/off, very basic multi track recording. Need to announce first Logic assignment next time.
29 are still registered. 27 were present. One of the absent students did not attend this week and should be dropped unless he contacts me.
Thursday, 4/16
Continued with the Subtractor. Went over harmonics and waveforms and basics of filtering, including types, filter frequency, and resonance. Did NOT use an ADSR to control the filter. Next up is that and then LFOs. Did NOT listen to the Redrum assignment today — it was scheduled for today, but decided to not interrupt the coverage of filters and harmonics and to instead hear the assignment next time. Also, should probably assign the first take-home quiz on harmonics next time.
Two more students added today, to the total registered is now 28. It is too soon to know for sure, but I suspect that two of them will end up as no shows.
Friday
(not offered every term) – Same as MW
2015 Winter
Monday, 1/12
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday. Very basic looping info in Logic — e.g. the “loop checkbox” and how to use other regions to stop a looping region.
Set deadline for assignent #1 as this Wednesday, 1/14. Set assignment #2 date as the next Wednesday, though did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
Tuesday, 1/13
Reviewed the features of the ReDrum assignment. A lot of work time on the ReDrum project. Introduced the Subtractor: concept of modular synth, the noise generator, the oscillators, and a few basic tricks with the oscillators beyond the usual tuning, waveform selection, and combinations. (17)
Wednesday, 1/14
Work time on Garage Band project. Went over some basic techniques in Logic: replace button, editing velocity in piano roll view, turning click on/off, very basic multi track recording. Heard rows 1-4 Garage Band project. Next time start with 5, then 6. (1 is by entry door.) Then do the “second pass.” Need to announce first Logic assignment next time.
Thursday, 1/15
Continued with Subtractor. Went over basic concept of ADSR envelopes as applied to amplitude. Described the frequency content of white noise and then used that to demonstrate the four types of filtering and the concept of “filter frequency.” Played but did not explain the effect of filters on sawtooth waveform — do that early in the period next time and then automate the filter using the filter ADSR. Heard about half of assignments #1. Starting by entry door, did first two rows plus first two computers in third row — will take up where I left off near start of next class. Need to announce due date of assignment #2.
Friday, 1/17
(not offered every term) – Same as MW
2014 Spring
Monday, 4/14
Work time on Garage Band assignment. Simultaneously, intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday.
Set deadline for assignment #1 as this Wednesday, 4/16. Set assignment #2 date as the next Wednesday, though did not yet go over the assignment or announce the date in class.
Tuesday, 4/15
Finished a few odds and ends with the Redrum – multiple redrums, adding new sounds to a kit, etc. FINISHED PRESENTING REDRUM NEW INFO. Work time on Redrum project that will be due at NEXT class on Thursday. (Though some students may well need additional time during that class to finish.) Barely began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a very basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to the sounds of instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; shared the “init patch” or basic patch setup procedure, then no time remaining and students needing to work on assignment #1, I went no further. (Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Introduced noise and barely mentioned the filter – essentially the most basic “concept” of the filter only, so this is where we go next. (Showed and described the four types of filters by using noise. Still need to do the same using oscillators, get into the harmonic content of waveforms, and so forth.)
Wednesday, 4/16
Time to work on Garage Band project. did first round of Garage Band project playbacks. FINAL REMINDER of CELL PHONE POLICY. (Got through most of projects. Started at left side and worked my way toward the door. Got most of the way through row 2 and finished rows 6, 5, 4, and 3. Second pass and remaining students on next sessional
In Logic: Turning the click on and off in play mode. The “replace” button. Editing velocity and a few other very basic parameters in the piano roll view. Introduction to loops via the loop check box. Introduction to very basic quantizing with the Info panel quantize popup menu.
(Next steps should probably be: how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 4/17
Began period with some work time on the subtractor assignment. Did a very basic introduction of the controls on the “ADSR.” Went over the controls on the oscillators and also the noise generator: waveform, oct, semi, cent, along with the color control on noise. Combined the oscillators and the noise generator. (Finished, aside from things like modulation, the oscillators and the noise generator.) Next I began to assess assignment 1. Finished first three rows starting at left side of room. Did not get to the right three rows. Anyone who was not ready in the left rows can play it for me next time. Everyone in the right rows is due at the next class.
(NEXT TIME: Discuss harmonic frequencies of basic waveforms from Subtractor oscillators, and have the class calculate some harmonics and explain the reasons for differences in timbre among the sawtooth, square, triangle, and sine waves.)
Did not announce the nature of or the deadline for assignment #3 (subtractor) – should go over that next time and consider whether to make it due same week on Thursday or to delay until following Tuesday.
End of week III?: Probably need to assign the harmonics take-home quiz. Need to verify that they know the due date for the Subtractor assignment an that we have covered all necessary techniques. Need to hear remaining redrum assignments – only heard a few today.
Friday, 1/17
(not offered every term) – Same as MW
2014 Winter
Monday, 1/13 – Work time on assignment. Simultaneously, Iintro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A very small number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday.
Set deadline for assignent #1 as Wednesday, Jan. 22 – delayed by holiday next Monday 1/20.
Tuesday, 1/14 – Finished a few odds and ends with the Redrum – multiple redrums, adding new sounds to a kit, etc. Work time on Redrum project that will be due on NEXT TUESDAY JAN 21. Barely began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a very basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; (provided a default “starting point” setup for the subtractor, Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Introduced noise and barely mentioned the filter – essentially the most basic “concept” of the filter only, so this is where we go next. (Showed and described the four types of filters by using noise. Still need to do the same using oscillators, get into the harmonic content of waveforms, and so forth.)
Wednesday, 1/15 – Time to work on Garage Band project. Tied up a few final odds and ends in Garage Band and reminded class of the time issues related to finishing for next class due date. Also mentioned the opportunity for additional lab time during the TTh class.
In Logic: Turning the click on and off in play mode. The “replace” button. Editing velocity and a few other very basic parameters in the piano roll view. Introduction to loops via the loop check box. Introduction to very basic quantizing with the Info panel quantize popup menu.
(Next steps should probably be: how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 1/16 – Discussed harmonic frequencies of basic waveforms from Subtractor oscillators, and had the class calculate some harmonics and explain the reasons for differences in timbre among the sawtooth, square, triangle, and sine waves. Did a very basic introduction of the controls on the “ADSR, ” using the Amp Envelope as the example. Did not yet go over noise generator yet – next time. (Spent most of the period on harmonics, which left little time to work on the Redrum assignment – class will need extra time for that next week before I hear the assignments.)
Did not announce the nature of or the deadline for assignnet #3 (subtractor) – should go over that next time and consider whether to make it due same week on Thursday or to delay until following Tuesday.
End of week III?: Probably need to assign the harmonics take-home quiz. Need to verify that they know the due date for the Subtractor assignment an that we have covered all necessary techniques. Need to hear remaining redrum assignments – only heard a few today.
Friday, 1/17 (not offered every term) – Same as MW
2013 Spring
Monday, 4/15 – Work time on assignment. Intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A very small number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday.
DID NOT DO THE APPLE LOOPS – DO THIS ON WEDNESDAY
Tuesday, 1/16 – Work time on Redrum project that will be due on Thursday. Began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; provided a default “starting point” setup for the subtractor, Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Introduced noise and barely mentioned the filter – essentially the most basic “concept” of the filter only, so this is where we go next. (Showed and described the four types of filters by using noise. Still need to do the same using oscillators, get into the harmonic content of waveforms, and so forth.)
Wednesday, 4/17 – Time to work on Garage Band project. Went over a small “specimen” project in Logic to review the steps to doing assignment #2 – created a simple drum part, very basically adjusted it (manual and extremely simple quantization, added one software instrument keyboard part, then added a couple of Apple loops. Use very basic looping technique to stretch the regions. Went over the importance of selecting the right tempo before recording and then ensuring that the music is rhythmically accurate. Introduced the velocity tool as a way to edit “volume. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region – but not by enabling the loop check box for a track.
(Next steps should probably be: more basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 4/18 – Discussed harmonic frequencies of basic waveforms from Subtractor oscillators, and how they (and noise) are altered by the low pass filter. Also went over the use of the filter and amplitude ADSR envelope modules.
Heard about half of the #2 assignments – those who were ready. Others to be heard at next class session. Did not announce the nature of or the deadline for assignnet #3 (subtractor) – should go over that next time and consider whether to make it due same week on Thursday or to delay until following Tuesday.
Next class: Probably need to assign the harmonics take-home quiz. Need to verify that they know the due date for the Subtractor assignment an that we have covered all necessary techniques. Need to hear remaining redrum assignments – only heard a few today.
Friday, 1/18 (not offered every term) – Same as MW
2013 Winter
Monday, 1/14 – Work time on assignment. Intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views. How to add additional tracks. Basic use of Apple loops. A very small number of students thought they might be finished with Garage Band projects by the end of today’ sessions – others will need time on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 1/15 – Work time on Redrum project that will be due on Thursday. Began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; provided a default “starting point” setup for the subtractor, Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Introduced noise and barely mentioned the filter – essentially the most basic “concept” of the filter only, so this is where we go next.
Wednesday, 1/16 – Time to work on Garage Band project. Went over a small “specimen” project in Logic to review the steps to doing assignment #2 – created a simple drum part, very basically adjusted it (manual and extremely simple quantization, added one software instrument keyboard part, then added a couple of Apple loops. Use very basic looping technique to stretch the regions. Went over the importance of selecting the right tempo before recording and then ensuring that the music is rhythmically accurate. Introduced the velocity tool as a way to edit “volume. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region – but not by enabling the loop check box for a track.
(DID NOT: Looked at stopping a loop with an empty track.) (Next steps should probably be: apple loops, basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline – actually, probably need to delay – for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 1/17 – Computer problems on instructor work station took up first half hour of class. Went back to the Subtractor and covered the two oscillators and the noise generator. Discussed harmonic frequencies of basic waveforms from Subtractor oscillators.
Next class: Probably need to assign the harmonics take-home quiz. Need to verify that they know the due date for the Subtractor assignment an that we have covered all necessary techniques. Need to hear remaining redrum assignments – only heard a few today.
(Old: Covered filters. Some work time on redrum assignment. Hear redrum assignments. Introduction to ADSRs. Announced Subtractor assignment. Heard assignment #2 (Redrum) from about 1/3 of the class, starting near the door. Need to hear the rest of them and do the “second pass” on Tuesday. Regarding Subtractor assignment, mentioned that the due date is next Thursday, but that there is a good chance I’ll have to extend the deadline until the Tuesday after that.)
Friday, 1/18 – Same as MW
2012 Spring
Monday, 4/16 – Work time on assignment. Intro to Logic – how to record, playback, etc. Very basic editing, the piano roll and score views.
Tuesday, 4/17 – Work time on Redrum project that will be due on Thursday. Began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; provided a default “starting point” setup for the subtractor, Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Introduced noise and barely mentioned the filter – essentially the most basic “concept” of the filter only, so this is where we go next.
Wednesday, 4/18 – Time to work on Garage Band project. Began to hear project #1, but only got to about one third of the class. Went over a small “specimen” project in Logic to review the steps to doing assignment #2 – created a simple drum part, very basically adjusted it (manual and extremely simple quantization, added one software instrument keyboard part, then added a couple of Apple loops. Use very basic looping technique to stretch the regions. Went over the importance of selecting the right tempo before recording and then ensuring that the music is rhythmically accurate. Introduced the velocity tool as a way to edit “volume. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region – but not by enabling the loop check box for a track.
(DID NOT: Looked at stopping a loop with an empty track.) (Next steps should probably be: apple loops, basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline – actually, probably need to delay – for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 4/19-Covered filters. Some work time on redrum assignment. Hear redrum assignments. Introduction to ADSRs. Announced Subtractor assignment. Heard assignment #2 (Redrum) from about 1/3 of the class, starting near the door. Need to hear the rest of them and do the “second pass” on Tuesday. (Regarding Subtractor assignment, mentioned that the due date is next Thursday, but that there is a good chance I’ll have to extend the deadline until the Tuesday after that.)
Friday, 4/20 – No Friday class this quarter.
2012 Winter
Monday, 1/16 – No class due to MLK holiday
Tuesday, 1/17 – Work time on Redrum project that will be due on Thursday. Began coverage of the Subtractor. Offered a basic concept of the modular structure of the instrument; connected it to instruments with a vintage in the 1970-1980s period; provided a default “starting point” setup for the subtractor, Introduced controls for octave, semi, and cent, and how to adjust audio balance between two oscillators. Did not yet do noise..
Wednesday, 1/18 – Time to work on Garage Band project – due next Monday, one class later than usual due to Monday holiday this week. Did an overview/intro of Logic – the “tour” of the screen plus a very basic “how to record a keyboard part” demo.
In Logic we had looked at the piano roll and (briefly) the score views at last class. ) In piano roll, looked at basic note editing.
(NO: Used the velocity tool to edit in the piano roll view. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region or by enabling the loop check box for a track. Looked at stopping a loop with an empty track.) (Next steps should probably be: apple loops, basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline – actually, probably need to delay – for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 1/19 – Finished subtractor oscillators and noise generator. Introduced waveforms, harmonics, etc. Barely started filters – simply showed the two controls (freq and res) on the filter, gave an example with the LPF. Need to go on to filters in detail and then to ADSRs next time. A bit of work time on Redrum assignment. Heard Redrum. Did not yet set assignment for subtractor. Heard almost all assignment #2 (Redrum) – did not get to last three people in left-most row, and still need to do the “second pass.
Friday, 1/20 – We are a bit ahead of the MW class since there was Monday holiday this week. Work time sufficient to complete the Garage Band assignment. Heard most of these projects with the exception of about 8 students on the left side of the room and those who asked to be heard the second time around.
Did a basic introduction to Logic – enough to begin work on assignment 2, which is due next week as per the schedule. Basic orientation to the Arrange window. Starting a file. Recording. Basic editing. VERY basic intro to quantizing (no explanation – basically where the controls are), very basic intro to looping, selecting instruments, adding Apple loops, the score and piano roll views, adding a track.
2011 Spring
Monday, 4/11 – (Finished GB intro and made assignment 1 at previous class.) Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Wednesday. (Will allow about 15 minutes GB work time at beginning of Wednesday class.) Did very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to select a sound for a software instrument track. (DID NOT: Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin, repeating a region by looping, very basic software instrument editing in the piano roll, where to find the “garage band loops.”)
Tuesday, 4/12 – Introduce ways to alter sound resources in Redrum: multiple Redrum modules, reprogramming individual sounds. Work time on the Redrum assignment that is due on Thursday – will allow at least 30 minutes to finish this on Thursday. Introduced Subtractor: concept of modular synth; and went over waveforms, and the frequency controls on the oscillators, and the noise generator. Explained harmonic and how they apply to waveforms, and related this to how a string behaves.
Did not get beyond that, so we still have to deal with filter basics next time and also the ADSR control of volume and filtering.
Wednesday, 4/13 – Heard Garage Band Projects, but not all. Started on east side of room and made a complete circuit except for the last two students in front on the west row. At next class – a week from today due to holiday next Monday – need to hear those two projects and any remaining from the “first pass” today.
In Logic we looked at the piano roll and (briefly) the score views. Used the pencil tool to create a new region in a track. Used the velocity tool to edit in the piano roll view. In piano roll, looked at basic note editing. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region or by enabling the loop check box for a track. Looked at stopping a loop with an empty track.
(Next steps should probably be: apple loops, basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline – actually, probably need to delay – for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
Thursday, 4/14 – More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished filter basics. Next time go over ADSR concepts, and apply the ADSR to both volume and filter.) frequency. Reviewed harmonics and how to calculate them for different basic waveforms.
Heard assignment 2 (Redrum) except for those who were not ready on the first pass – need to hear them next time. Need to consider the assignment date for the first take-home quiz on harmonics.)
(Next: LFO 2 and LFO 1, the second filter, announce the due date for the Subtractor assignment during Tuesday class, and move on to more Subtractor stuff. Important to cover the frequency content of waveforms – perhaps at start of Tuesday class and with some interval before trying to do the FM synthesis stuff.)
Friday, 4/15 – None this quarter
2011 Winter
Monday, 1/10 – (Finished GB intro and made assignment 1 at previous class.) Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Wednesday. (Will allow about 15 minutes GB work time at beginning of Wednesday class.) Did very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to select a sound for a software instrument track. (DID NOT: Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin, repeating a region by looping, very basic software instrument editing in the piano roll, where to find the “garage band loops.”)
Tuesday, 1/11 – Introduce ways to alter sound resources in Redrum: multiple Redrum modules, reprogramming individual sounds. Work time on the Redrum assignment that is due on Thursday – will allow at least 30 minutes to finish this on Thursday. Introduced Subtractor: concept of modular synth; and went over waveforms, and the frequency controls on the oscillators, and the noise generator. Explained harmonic and how they apply to waveforms, and related this to how a string behaves.
Did not get beyond that, so we still have to deal with filter basics next time and also the ADSR control of volume and filtering.
Wednesday, 1/12 – Heard Garage Band Projects, but not all. Started on east side of room and made a complete circuit except for the last two students in front on the west row. At next class – a week from today due to holiday next Monday – need to hear those two projects and any remaining from the “first pass” today.
In Logic we looked at the piano roll and (briefly) the score views. Used the pencil tool to create a new region in a track. Used the velocity tool to edit in the piano roll view. In piano roll, looked at basic note editing. In the track window we looked at how to loop using the upper right corner of a region or by enabling the loop check box for a track. Looked at stopping a loop with an empty track.
(Next steps should probably be: apple loops, basic quantization, how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. Put up a date for assignment 2 on the web site, but did not mention it in class and did not go over project requirements in class. May need to delay deadline – actually, probably need to delay – for #2 by one day from the date listed on the web site.
IMPORTANT: There were perhaps 3-4 students who were not ready to play back assignment 2 (redrum) today – they may play it back next Tuesday.
Thursday, 1/13 – More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished the filter, went over ADSR concepts, and applied the ADSR to both volume and filter frequency.
Next: LFO 2 and LFO 1, the second filter, announce the due date for the Subtractor assignment during Tuesday class, and move on to more Subtractor stuff. Important to cover the frequency content of waveforms – perhaps at start of Tuesday class and with some interval before trying to do the FM synthesis stuff.
Friday, 1/14 – Essentially the same as MW class, though we took a brief look at very basic quantizing – not enough to say that the subject has been covered.. Friday class was introduced to Logic as the MW class – the arrange window, selecting instruments, recording, some basic editing in the arrange window and the piano roll, adding tracks, importance of click track. Mentioned that assignment 2 will be near the end of the period week. Next week: need to give sufficient time to do the project since there was NO time to work on it today..WHAT WE DID NOT DO – did not introduce use of audio loops – e.g. Apple loops. (DETAILS TBA)
FALL 2010
Monday, 9/27 – (Finished GB intro and made assignment 1 at previous class.) Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Wednesday. Did very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to assign a plugin to an INST track. Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin, repeating a region by looping, very basic software instrument editing in the piano roll. (Did not point out where to find the “garage band loops.”)
Tuesday, 9/28 – After about 1:25, some more work time on the Redrum assignment that is due on Thursday – will allow a small amount of time to finish this on Thursday, but those needed substantial time were directed to use open lab. Introduced Subtractor: concept of modular synth; basic settings to get sound (envelopes and filters); changing octave, semi, and cent; basic waveforms; filter basics; adding a second oscillator and noise generator. (Next time need to move to ADSR control of the filter.)
Wednesday, 9/29 – Heard Garage Band Projects – but not all. At start of period need to hear some in first two rows by door and then hear those who “took a pass” the first time. (Moved briefly back to Logic and looked at some basic quantizing issues. Next steps should probably be: how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. MUST ASSIGN #2!) WHAT WE DID NOT DO – did not introduce use of audio loops – e.g. Apple loops
Thursday, 9/30 – More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished the filter, went over ADSR concepts, and applied the ADSR to both volume and filter frequency. Went over LFO 2 quite thoroughly. Barely began LFO 1 – mainly took a quick look at the different waveform options.
Need to announce the due date for the next assignment during Tuesday class, and move on to more Subtractor stuff. Important to cover the frequency content of waveforms – perhaps at start of Tuesday class and with some interval before trying to do the FM synthesis stuff.
Friday, 10/1 – Essentially the same as MW class. Friday class was introduced to Logic as the MW class – the arrange window, selecting instruments, recording, some basic editing in the arrange window and the piano roll, adding tracks, importance of click track. Mentioned that assignment 2 will be after the “rolling break” next week. WHAT WE DID NOT DO – did not introduce use of audio loops – e.g. Apple loops. (DETAILS TBA)
SPRING 2010
Monday, 4/12 – (Finished GB intro and made assignment 1 at previous class.) Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Wednesday. Did very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to assign a plugin to an INST track. Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin, repeating a region by looping, very basic software instrument editing in the piano roll. (Did not point out where to find the “garage band loops.”)
Tuesday, 4/13 – After about 1:25, some more work time on the Redrum assignment that is due on Thursday – will allow a small amount of time to finish this on Thursday, but those needed substantial time were directed to use open lab. Introduced Subtractor: concept of modular synth; basic settings to get sound (envelopes and filters); changing octave, semi, and cent; basic waveforms; filter basics; adding a second oscillator and noise generator. (Next time need to move to ADSR control of the filter.)
Wednesday, 4/14 – Heard Garage Band Projects – but not all. At start of period need to hear some in first two rows by door and then hear those who “took a pass” the first time. (Moved briefly back to Logic and looked at some basic quantizing issues. Next steps should probably be: how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. MUST ASSIGN #2!) WHAT WE DID NOT DO – did not introduce use of audio loops – e.g. Apple loops
Thursday, 4/15
More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished the filter, went over ADSR concepts, and applied the ADSR to both volume and filter frequency. Went over LFO 2 quite thoroughly. Barely began LFO 1 – mainly took a quick look at the different waveform options.
Need to announce the due date for the next assignment during Tuesday class, and move on to more Subtractor stuff. Important to cover the frequency content of waveforms – perhaps at start of Tuesday class and with some interval before trying to do the FM synthesis stuff.
Friday, 4/16
Essentially the same as MW class. Friday class was introduced to Logic as the MW class – the arrange window, selecting instruments, recording, some basic editing in the arrange window and the piano roll, adding tracks, importance of click track. Mentioned that assignment 2 will be after the “rolling break” next week. WHAT WE DID NOT DO – did not introduce use of audio loops – e.g. Apple loops. (DETAILS TBA)
WINTER 2010
Monday, 1/11 – Finished GB intro. Make assignment 1. Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Monday at start of period . (Very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to assign a plugin to an INST track. Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin. Pointed out where to find the “garage band loops.”)
Tuesday, 1/12 – Some more work time on the Redrum assignment that is due on Thursday – will allow a small amount of time to finish this on Thursday, but those needed substantial time were directed to use open lab. Introduced Subtractor: concept of modular synth; basic settings to get sound (envelopes and filters); changing octave, semi, and cent; basic waveforms; harmonic structure; adding a second oscillator and noise generator. (Next time need to move to filters.)
Wednesday, 1/13 – Heard Garage Band Projects – which took longer than usual due to larger class. A few who did not play theirs because they were not finished were told that they must tell me when they are done if they want me to hear it. Moved briefly back to Logic and looked at some basic quantizing issues. Assigned #2 and gave due date at end of next Wednesday’s class – no class on Monday due to holiday. Next steps should probably be: how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff. (Given the Monday holiday there will be a time issue next week. On one hand we need to try to stay on track to hear the Logic assignment, but on the other hand we don’t want to get too far behind the schedule due to the holiday.)
Thursday, 1/14 – More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished the filter, went over ADSR concepts, and applied the ADSR to both volume and filter frequency.
Announced the assignment #1 business – previous music 51 students say “I was in music 51” and new students show me a project in week 6.
Tuesday: need perhaps 30 minutes work time on #2?
Friday, 1/15 – Essentially the same as MW class. Friday class was introduced to Logic as the MW class – the arrange window, selecting instruments, recording, some basic editing in the arrange window and the piano roll, adding tracks, importance of click track. Mentioned that assignment 2 will be due at start of the period week after next.
FALL 2009
Monday, 9/28 – Finished GB intro. Make assignment 1. Work time on the Garage Band assignment which is due on Monday at start of period . (Very basic introduction to Logic – the Arrange and Transport windows. How to assign a plugin to an INST track. Very basic look at selecting a sound from one plugin.)
Tuesday, 9/29 – COURSE CORRECTION! I started with Subtractor last time (just looked at oscillators and noise generator) when I should have started with Redrum. So… Today I suspended coverage of the Subtractor and instead introduced the Redrum. Pretty much finished it and made the first Redrum assignment due one week from today on Tuesday, October 6.
(OLD: Work time on the ReDrum assignment that is due on Thursday. Some students appear to have finished, but more seem like they’ll need at least a half hour to complete projects on Thursday. (Also a very basic intro to Subtractor module: reviewed Oscillator and Noise generator and controls of waveform and frequency. Next time continue on to filters, ADSRs, etc.))
Wednesday, 9/30 – Moved on into Logic, looking at basic plugin synths and then loops – essentially a quick tour of how to access all of them, but without details of each synthesis method. Learned how to change the inst assigned to the inst tracks. (DID NOT: Went over a model set of steps for recording: first drums, check for timing, ) add another track, add loops, etc. Hear Garage Band assignments next week since we were delayed on the first day of class by technical issues. (For next time – how to spread an instrument across multiple tracks, etc. and much more Logic stuff.
Thursday, 10/1 – More basic editing on the Subtractor: finished the filter, went over ADSR concepts, and applied the ADSR to both volume and filter frequency. (Due to confusion about the need to enter Redrum patterns in the a pattern lane in the sequencer – half the class didn’t do this – the deadline for this assignment was delayed until NEXT TUESDAY AT START OF PERIOD.)
Announced the assignment #1 business – previous music 51 students say “I was in music 51” and new students show me a project in week 6.
Tuesday: need perhaps 30 minutes work time on #2?
Friday, 10/2 – (Almost the) same as MW class. Actually both classes are a bit behind the planned schedule, though this is a more significant issue with the Friday class. Friday class was introduced to Logic as the MW class – the arrange window, selecting instruments, recording, some basic editing in the arrange window and the piano roll, adding tracks, importance of click track. Mentioned that assignment 2 will be due at end of the period next week, though this may be a bit aggressive. (But may have to do it due to later friday holidays.) Elements of the project that I did NOT cover include a) spreading a percussion part across multiple tracks and b) adding audio loops. Must do these at start of period.
Dan Mitchell 