[Weekly Summaries: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12]
2020 Winter
Monday 2/17
No class — Presidents Day holiday.
Wednesday 2/19
Returned test #1. Heard first batch of #3 — more next time. Did not start to hear #4 yet. Work time on #4. (Go over requirements/techniques for #5 including how to set up the project, how to capture information about each of the patches, and the possibility of using non ES1 synths as described on the assignment page.)
2019 Winter
Monday 2/18
No class — Presidents Day holiday.
Wednesday 2/20
Plan: Test #1. Start to hear #4. Work time on #4 and #5. Go over requirements/techniques for #5 including how to set up the project, how to capture information about each of the patches, and the possibility of using non ES1 synths as described on the assignment page.
2017 Spring
Monday 5/22
Hear any remaining #4 assignments. Work on #5. Autopunch, etc in Logic. Accessing Sampleswap.
Tuesday 5/23
Work time on #7. Kicking off the class presentation assignment — picking topics, sharing topics, the proposal form, etc. Sampling for assignment #5: Recording and basic editing inside the Reason audio sample editor. Beginning editing in Logic’s audio editor. (extracting, trim, normalize, reverse)
Wednesday 5/24
Reviewed the overall process for the ES1 (or alternative) assignment #4. Introduced the importing of sample loops into Logic and methods for beat-matching them. Work time on #5. Reminded class about limited time once we return from Memorial Day break next week.
Thursday 5/24
High absence rate today, including several students who contacted me to let me know. Heard almost all #4, with the exception of two students who are nearly done. Looked at how to take a sample that had been edited in Logic, open it in a Reason sampler, and then create a loop inside the sample. Gave a basic introduction to the splitter/merger modules. Reminded class that at the next meeting I would likely ask them individually to tell me about progress on selecting and researching their presentation topics. We are a bit behind. Ideally we will try to finish #5 next week, and at the same time I will begin to introduce the Rewire concepts, with the goal being that anyone should be able to start the Rewire project before the end of the Thursday class.
2017 Winter
Monday 2/20
Presidents Day Holiday — no class
Tuesday 12/21
Not this quarter
Wednesday 2/22
Class took test #1 today — following return and quick review of quiz #2. The plan today was to hear all remaining assignment #3 examples and to start hearing some first wave finishers of #4. That did not happen! There was quite a bit of confusion about how to split a percussion “inst” part across multiple parts and/or the appropriate places to choose to use the alias, copy, and loop. Consequently, I need to hear #3 for the right half of the class next time and hear #4.
We discussed the importance of staying on schedule with assignments — even at the expense of not doing a perfect job on every one or even of missing one — in order to keep moving forward. I encouraged the class to sign up for Music 8 as soon as registration starts.
Thursday 2/23
Not this quarter
2016 Fall
Monday 11/7
Test #2. Work on #5. Hear remaining #4 assignments.
Tuesday 1/8
Not this quarter
Wednesday 11/9
Very poor attendance today — post-election effects? Only about a dozen students attended. Reviewed how to save and re-open ES1 instrument files. Introduced SampleSwap, then how to bring samples into Logic tracks and match them to beats/bars. Heard perhaps a half dozen of #5. Use the remainder of class for open lab.
Next time: probably need to explicitly go over #6 and describe the rest of the term, including the requirements for the final project.
Thursday 11/10
Not this quarter
2016 Spring
Monday 5/16
Started with collection and review of quiz #2, plus reminder that test #1 is on Wednesday. About 20-25 minutes of work time before the first pass to hear #4. Demonstrated a “basic patch” for the ES1. Second pass — heard all remaining #4 assignments. Then work time on #5 to finish the period.
Tuesday 5/17
A few too many absences today, though some did contact me. We again reviewed the workflow from sample source file to editing in Logic’s audio editor to importing into a Reason sample instrument. Should probably also the a look at the Reason audio editor still. Heard/assessed assignment #4 from pretty much everyone in attendance. Now work on #5 and very soon begin the rewire introduction. Returned test #1
Wednesday 5/18
Quiz #2 returned, followed by brief review and then 15 minutes for last-minute study. Test #1 completed during first part of class. Most of the period was used for work on #5. Not more than two students claimed to be finished so, as expected, after some lab time on Monday I will hear it before the end of the period. Next up: SampleSwap and on to assignment #6.
Thursday 5/19
Work time on #5 — the sampling assignment. Class activity related to the class presentation. Groups described their project ideas to each other, offered suggestions, shared them with the class, and I offered additional comments and suggestions. Completed a very basic introduction of ReWire — enough to get the audio from the Reason mixer into mixer channels on Logic.
2016 Winter
Monday 2/15
No class due to Monday holiday
Tuesday 2/16
Not this quarter.
Wednesday 2/17
Test #1 completed during first part of class. Reviewed points of assignment #5. Reminded class of tight schedule going forward. Heard #4 — first pass only.
Thursday 2/18
Not this quarter
Friday
(Not offered every quarter.)
2015 Fall
Monday 11/2
Returned quizzes #1 and #2. Did a re-review for students who were interested. Reminded about test on Wednesday. Work on #4 and started to hear them, plus work on #5. Still have most of the #4 assignments to hear. Reminded everyone of schedule pressures during the remainder of the term.
Tuesday 11/3
Not this quarter.
Wednesday 11/4
Test #1 completed during first part of class. Went over how to create and save sounds in assignment #5. Reminded class of tight schedule going forward. Did the second pass on assignment #4.
Thursday 5/21
Not this quarter
Friday
(Not offered every quarter.)
2015 Spring
Monday 5/18
Collected and reviewed quiz #2. Returned quizzes. Reminded about test. Work on #4 and #5. Went over techniques for #5. Decided not to hear #4 this time — next class.
Tuesday 5/19
Most were still working on #4 at the start of class. Most, but not all, were finished at the end. (This was the day of many questions about small issues in Reason, especially related to how to wire modules together in the Reason rack.) In the end I was not able to audition #4, instead tell the class that it would be at the start of the period on Thursday. (And reminding those who were not done that they may come in on Wednesday to work on it.) I introduced the workflow for finding (Sampleswap) sources of audio files, downloading them, importing them into Logic, using the Logic audio editor to extract and prepare them, saving, opening them into a sampler in Reason. This should enable some students to begin work on #5.
Related to the presentation, I briefly went over what it will take to create a viable presentation proposal and alerted the class that they will need to have some answer to the question “what will I present on?” at the Thursday class, at which point I will likely ask groups to share their ideas.
Wednesday 5/20
This was a sort of “getting back on track” day. I heard virtually all #4 assignments — anyone who did not play it was told to tell me when/if they do finish it. I heard a few other earlier assignments that had not been recorded earlier. The class took the first midterm test. I did a quick overview/demo of the components of assignment #5. Our next meeting is not until a week from today, as there is a Memorial Day holiday on Monday.
Thursday 5/21
Did the exercise in which groups share their individual project ideas, offer mild commentary/critique, then describe the proposal of one of their group members to the class, after which I make comments. Heard a few more #4, but more need to be auditioned at the next class. Returned the test. Reminded class of deadline for the presentation proposals.
Friday
(Not offered every quarter.)
2015 Winter
Monday 2/16
Holiday
Tuesday 2/17
Began with 15 minutes of work time to finish #3, start #4. Heard #3 by end of the period — a few may still need to share it. Went over the class presentation assignment and set due date.
Wednesday 2/18
Collected quiz 2. Announced test #1 for one week from today. Did basic introduction of editing the ES 1 synth in Logic, which is necessary to start #5. Work time on #4. Supposed to be done today, but quite a few are not finished — asked them to use extra la time if needed tomorrow.
(More about the progress on #4. It was due today, but only 5-6 students were finished. I informally reset the deadline for next Monday, 2/23 at about 20 minutes into the period. I reminded the class that this gives them the following time to continue working: the end of today’s class, the first 20-30 minutes of the period next Monday… and the Thursday, 2/19 open lab time.)
Thursday 2/19
Work time to finish #4. Discussed where to find samples for #5 — audio recordings, SampleSwap, etc. Did a very basic first introduction to Rewire — explaining the basics of what it is, the master program, how to start the programs in order, how to create an input channel in Logic’s mixer for audio from Reason. Planned to hear some #4 assignments — but not feeling well, so put that off until start of next class on Tuesday.
Friday 2/20
(Not offered every quarter.)
2014 Spring
Monday 5/19
Collected and reviewed quiz 2. Reminded class of test on Wednesday. Some work time to complete #4, then listened to #4. Students who completed #4 went ahead to start on #5 using techniques covered last week. IMPORTANT: Hear almost all #4 examples, but did not make the “second pass,” so next time be sure to ask if anyone else is ready to show me their projects.
Tuesday 5/20
Began with 15 minutes of work time to finish #3, start #4 or review for test. Handed out test #1. Did a pass to listen to #3. Go over the parallel aspect of using the 14:2 mixer and effects.
Next time: Quickly do a sample version of assignment #4 since the concept is a bit confusing. Also ask if anyone else wants to show me a #3.
Wednesday 5/21
Test #1. Work time on #5 (EFM1 and ES1) assignment. (Next time: Introduce topics for assignment #6. Perhaps summarize the plan for the rest of the term: quizzes, assignments, test, final project, final exam session date.
Thursday 5/22
Review schedule for remainder of quarter. Introduce the class presentation assignment and deadline for proposals. Do a sample of assignment #4 as a mockup. Assess any remaining #3. Work time on #4.
Friday 5/23
(Not offered every quarter.)
2014 Winter
Monday 2/17 – Holiday
Tuesday 2/18 – Heard Assignment #4. (Those who did not play it must remind me when it is ready.) Introduced using effects with the mixer. Work time on #5. Introduced the class presentation assignment and due date. (I suggested that everyone should have a basic idea of a presentation topic at Thursday’s class – I may want to go around the room and ask, or have students share their project ideas with other students on Thursday.) TEST ON THURSDAY.
Wednesday 2/19 – Heard remaining #3 assignments. Reminded class about quiz due at next meeting, test the meeting after that, and the need to push forward so that we have enough time left for final projects. Introduced editing of the ES1, and mentioned assignment #5. Work time on #4 – since no one was finished yet. Will need to hear it next time. (Map due dates for the rest of the term? Mention Music 8?) IMPORTANT: Did not do the second electronic history topic on Wednesday and as a result I had to change the dates for presenting the second topic, due date for quiz 2, and date for test #2. See the note on the home page for revised dates.
Thursday 2/20 – Test #1. Heard a few examples of #4. In a number of cases there was some confusion about using a single type of sound for all six key zones, and some had to go back and work on this some more. Will need to ask at next class to see who is ready to show it. Work time on #4 and #5. Quick review of how to do #4 for those who are behind. Had planned to assess what people are thinking of doing on presentations, but now will put that off until next class, at which time I’ll also cover the deadline for proposals. Rewire is next.
Friday (not offered every term)
Tuesday 2/18
Heard Assignment #4. (Those who did not play it must remind me when it is ready.) Introduced using effects with the mixer. Work time on #5. Introduced the class presentation assignment and due date. (I suggested that everyone should have a basic idea of a presentation topic at Thursday’s class – I may want to go around the room and ask, or have students share their project ideas with other students on Thursday.) TEST ON THURSDAY.
Wednesday 2/19
Heard remaining #3 assignments. Reminded class about quiz due at next meeting, test the meeting after that, and the need to push forward so that we have enough time left for final projects. Introduced editing of the ES1, and mentioned assignment #5. Work time on #4 – since no one was finished yet. Will need to hear it next time. (Map due dates for the rest of the term? Mention Music 8?) IMPORTANT: Did not do the second electronic history topic on Wednesday and as a result I had to change the dates for presenting the second topic, due date for quiz 2, and date for test #2. See the note on the home page for revised dates.
Thursday 2/20
Test #1. Heard a few examples of #4. In a number of cases there was some confusion about using a single type of sound for all six key zones, and some had to go back and work on this some more. Will need to ask at next class to see who is ready to show it. Work time on #4 and #5. Quick review of how to do #4 for those who are behind. Had planned to assess what people are thinking of doing on presentations, but now will put that off until next class, at which time I’ll also cover the deadline for proposals. Rewire is next.
Friday
(not offered every term)
2014 Winter
Monday 2/17 – Holiday Tuesday 2/18 – Heard Assignment #4. (Those who did not play it must remind me when it is ready.) Introduced using effects with the mixer. Work time on #5. Introduced the class presentation assignment and due date. (I suggested that everyone should have a basic idea of a presentation topic at Thursday’s class – I may want to go around the room and ask, or have students share their project ideas with other students on Thursday.) TEST ON THURSDAY. Wednesday 2/19 – Heard remaining #3 assignments. Reminded class about quiz due at next meeting, test the meeting after that, and the need to push forward so that we have enough time left for final projects. Introduced editing of the ES1, and mentioned assignment #5. Work time on #4 – since no one was finished yet. Will need to hear it next time. (Map due dates for the rest of the term? Mention Music 8?) IMPORTANT: Did not do the second electronic history topic on Wednesday and as a result I had to change the dates for presenting the second topic, due date for quiz 2, and date for test #2. See the note on the home page for revised dates. Thursday 2/20 – Test #1. Heard a few examples of #4. In a number of cases there was some confusion about using a single type of sound for all six key zones, and some had to go back and work on this some more. Will need to ask at next class to see who is ready to show it. Work time on #4 and #5. Quick review of how to do #4 for those who are behind. Had planned to assess what people are thinking of doing on presentations, but now will put that off until next class, at which time I’ll also cover the deadline for proposals. Rewire is next. Friday (not offered every term)
2013 Spring
Monday 5/20
- Reminders about the quiz due on Wednesday.
- Reminder about the assignment due Wednesday, but also mentioned that not everyone will necessarily finish by then.
- Went over the basics of assignment #5: how to save individual settings files, how to create five tracks, basic setup (init) for the ES1.
- Went over how to control peaks in Logic tracks: change track level manually, automate volume, bypass and effect, manually change effect gain on the effect module, automate control of the effect’s parameters.
- Heard remaining #4
- Work on #5
- If time: autodrop/punch, cycle, replace modes: got only as far as explaining low latency mode button and cycle button. Need to still cover autodrop/punch and replace.
Tuesday 5/21
- Only two had finished #5 so most of the period was devoted to work time on this assignment, and its deadline was moved back to this coming Thursday.
- Introduced Rewire, going as far as bringing Reasons mixer output into the Logic mixer and bringing individual Reason channels to Reason’s interface and then into separate Logic channel strips.
- One student still had to do the test.
Next time
- Return tests
- Reminder about the presentation proposal due date.
- Hear #5
- Do the rest of the rewire presentation?
Wednesday 5/22
- Turned in and reviewed quiz #2
- Reminder: No class next Monday due to Memorial Day Holiday. Test at the next class a week from today.
- Finished the coverage of the lower right buttons in the transport window: low latency, cycle, autopunch, replace, etc.
- Work time on #5, with a hopeful plan to finish today, but…
Notes:
- Perhaps 1/3 did finish #5 and I checked those assignments. Those who did not were told to come to TTh class and use open lab to ensure that they are “virtually finished” before next Wednesday’s class.
- Mentioned that I will return graded quizzes at the start of next class so there will be time to review them before that day’s test.
- Did not start the sampling unit, so that assignment’s due date may need to be delayed a bit, depending upon when I get to the topic and how much time is available to work on it.
Thursday 5/23
- Mentioned cloud storage options for backing up and moving files
- Did an exercise related to the class presentation proposals – students worked in groups and described their presentation ideas to one another. After I describe the characteristics of typical strong and weak proposals, they were asked to offer (gentle) critiques and question concerning the proposals of others in their groups.
- Reviewed the audio portion of rewire.
- Introduced the control portion of rewire.
- heard remaining #5.
Friday (not offered every term)
TBA – but includes
- Return quiz #1
- Introduce techniques for assignment 5
- collect, review, grade, return quiz 2 before break
- hear #4 if time – UPDATE: No time. will check #4 at start of next class.
- take test 1
- Work time on #4 and #5
2013 Winter
Monday 2/18
Tuesday 2/19
Plan:
- Hear remaining #4
- Work time on #5
- Basic introduction of class presentation assignment – did not set deadlines or look at the assignment description on the web site. (Next time?)
- Went over the basics of the remaining schedule of the term.
- Reminder of test on Thursday and assignment #5 deadline on Thursday (though will likely have to hear some later.)
Wednesday 2/20
Only one meeting this week due to Monday holiday. Plan for today includes:
- Go over schedule for upcoming assignments: #4 (today), #5, quiz 2, test 1
- Introduce more thoroughly the ES1 information needed for assignment #5
- Work time on #4/#5
- Hear #4
Thursday 2/21
Plan
- Test 1
- Assess #5
- Techniques for #6?
- Announce deadline for #6
- Announce deadline for Presentation Proposals
- Started rewire – how to connect audio output from Reason to Logic
Friday, 2/22 TBA – but includes
- Return quiz #1
- Introduce techniques for assignment 5
- collect, review, grade, return quiz 2 before break
- hear #4 if time – UPDATE: No time. will check #4 at start of next class.
- take test 1
- Work time on #4 and #5
2012 Spring Monday 5/21
Tuesday 5/22
Due to a pressing IPBT deadline and other factors, I originally considered cancelling today’s class. Instead, we did meet. Most of the class time was used for lab work on assignment 6 (rewire) which is due next week. I explained the second part of the rewire equation, namely how to connect Logic control to Reason instruments using the external midi device channels in Logic. I also announced that the test will be next Tuesday. STILL NEED TO INTRODUCE THE CLASS PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENT THIS WEEK!
Wednesday 5/23
Test #1 was today. Discussed the upcoming schedule challenges – next week Monday is a holiday and on Wednesday I am to be at the all-day IPBT meeting. We discussed the probability that next Wednesday will be a full lab day only, that #5 will be due the following Monday and #6 at the very next class on the next Wednesday. I also mentioned that much of this is still somewhat tentative and that I would post updates to the class web site. We did a quick intro to using sampleswap and bringing samples into Logic. Class signed up for sampleswap and saw me download sounds to folders in my folder. I brought a sound into Logic via the drag and drop method. We quickly looked at two methods to aligning the the sample with the pre-existing tracks in Logic. Mentioned that these techniques would be used in assignment #6, but did not actually look at the assignment guidelines with the class.
Thursday 5/24
Introduced the class presentation assignment. Went over the details of the project and the proposal and assigned a due date of Tuesday, June 5 for proposals. Heard a small number of assignment 5 examples, but there are more to hear next time. Announced an official due date next week for assignment #6, but recognized that it will likely be delayed because a) many were still working on 5 today and b) TEST 1 is scheduled for next week also.
Friday, 5/25
No Friday class this quarter.
2012 Winter Monday 2/20
Tuesday 2/21
Introduced class presentation assignment and announced that proposals are due on Thursday, March 1. Work time on #5 for those who were not yet done with it – heard projects of those who have finished it. Began Rewire introduction. Got as far as connecting hardware device stereo to Logic mixer and then connecting two reason instruments directly to the hardware device and then the hardware device to separate input channels on the Logic mixer.
Wednesday 2/22
Collected and reviewed quiz 2. Announced that test 1 will be next Monday. Work time on assignment 5 (ES 1 sounds) which is due at the next class – same day as test 1. Very basic introduction to sampleswap: getting an account, finding sounds, moving them to computer, organizing them in your folder, inserting in Logic. Still need to do the main work of editing sounds in Logic and beat matching them and so forth. Revised due dates and deadlines as per today’s announcement on the class web site home page.
Thursday 2/23
Introduced the remaining Rewire info related to recording note data in Logic to be played back by Reason instruments. Heard Sampler/Matrix assignments.
Friday, 2/24
A busy day! Reviewed quiz 2. Returned graded quiz #1 and #2. Did test 1 after the break. Introduced editing the ES1 synth sounds for the next assignment. Announced its due date for next week. Work time on #5. Heard remaining #4 – except for a handful who were not ready on the “first pass,” and I ran out of time before completing the second pass.
2011 Fall Monday 11/7
Did not do: Reviewed “cycle” and looked at “tools” for things including quantizing, velocity, etc. Also next: Introduce use of audio samples in Logic including downloads from sampleswap.org.
Tuesday 11/8
No Music 8 this term.
Wednesday 11/9
Work time on #4. Heard #4. Test #1. (previous quarter: Introduced sampleswap, import of sample, very basic editing of samples in Logic – only as far as changing logic tempo or matching length to nearest bars. using the tools in the arrange window audio menu. (Next time need to try this with two different samples, etc. ) Work time on #5.)
Next: cycle mode, next history topic (likely save this for after test 1), assign date for #6, introduce final project assignment.)
Thursday 11/10
No Music 8 this term.
Friday, 11/11
Veterans Day Holiday – next class on Friday, 11/18
Dan Mitchell 