Music 51: Assignment 6

[Music 51 Assignments: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Final Project]

Due Date

Due on Wednesday, March 4 at start of class.

Note: As we approach the end of the term your focus will shift toward the final project. With this in mind, there are a couple of important points to consider:

• Plan to finish on time, even if that means that your project meets minimal requirements without being “brilliant.” Better to finish on time and save more time for your final project!
• As you work on projects like this one, consider how you might re-use material from this project as part of the final project.

Description

Import two non-Apple Loop audio files into Logic and match them to a common beat. Synchronize them to one another and to two additional tracks created using Logic software instruments.

Format

You must follow this format. Read it carefully!

1. Your project may NOT use a tempo of 120 bpm. Any other tempo is OK.
2. You may use any stye of music, though it must be rhythmic enough to demonstrate your ability to synchronize with a click track. Edit and quantize to create a musically accurate performance.
3. Two tracks must include different rhythmic audio samples that are not Apple loops. They may be sources found on the computer, imported mp3 files, or audio tracks from a CD. Bring two audio recording files to class to use as a basis for this project or download them from an online source such as sampleswap.org.
4. Both of the loops must have a clear beat and they must come from sources with different tempos.
5. The loops’  original tempos must differ from one another by at least 10 BPM (beats per minute).
6. Import your two audio files into Logic.
7. Edit the files as necessary so that they synchronize with one another. Possibilities include: extracting a short audio clip from the full file, fade in/out, reverse audio, etc. (With many of the SampleSwap loops you will not need to worry about this step.)
8. These audio clips may need to be edited to match the tempo of your project. At some point during the project, both audio tracks must play together. Virtually by necessity, this means that at least one will need to be using time stretching to match the start/end of the sample to the nearest bar or to locators.
9. Apply other editing as needed to remove extraneous sounds such as clicks/pops and start/end of samples, if necessary.
10. Add two additional Logic software instrument tracks – which must rhythmically synchronize with the audio tracks and which must be played on the keyboard — no pre-recorded loops.
11. The project must have at least four tracks total.
12. At some point in the project the four basic tracks must all play together for at least one bar.
13. The example must be between 30 and 60 seconds long.
14. Label your project file as follows: “yourname #6.” Save it in your folder on the hard disk. Don’t forget to keep a backup on your own disk.

Assignment Goals

Demonstrate the ability import and edit audio files in Logic – in particular to match them to an existing tempo and to other non-sampled audio sources.

Many students treat this assignment as preliminary work on their final project. You may expand this assignment into your final project if you want to.

Grading

You will be graded on technical aspects of the assignment. Tracks must be synchronized to the metromome/click track such that your work can be evaluated for synchronization. The assignment will not be graded on its musical merits. However, imagination can’t hurt! The assignment description is intentionally vague so that there is room for you to exercise your imagination. Try to come up with an interesting piece within the guidelines of this project.

A late penalty of 1 letter grade per class session is applied to assignments which are handed in late.

For Intro to Electronic Music: Projects must be saved on your classroom computer before the deadline. You will also need to store a backup copy of your work, using one of the methods we discuss in class.

Your grade will be affected if your project does not follow the format outlined above. If your project is nowhere close to following the format, I will ask you to re-do it and hand in the “fixed” version when you finish.

If you have questions or problems on the assignment please let me know right away – in class or by email, or telephone at 864-8511.