Evaluation

During the course of the year, I have greatly enjoyed my music technology lessons. From studying technology I have learnt that my strengths definitely lie in the creative/design side of music technology, as opposed to the the more traditonal side of music technology such as recording. Having not previously studied music technology before, the module has opened up a whole side of the music industry I didn't know too much about.

Throughout this year I have improved upon my knowledge of using Apple Macs and their software. Halfway through the year I did choose to buy my own Macbook computer as I was inspired by the software I had been using. As a result of this year I have experimented with the use of GarageBand in my spare time, a program that i learnt how to use in technology lessons. I was very suprised with how easy Garageband was to use, particuarly with how easy it was to make a podcast, for instance.

Studying technology has given me foundation of knowledge within the field. Although i only have basic knowledge, I feel I would be more confident in a recording studio or live setup environment. I would like to study these areas in greater depth however to gain a deeper understanding. I would also like to study computer software recording programs too, like Garageband and Logic to use them to their full potential. The module has allowed me to see what could be possible when creating music - making the creation of music a lot easier than I would have thought before studying this topic.

I have definitely decided that I want to pursue a career in online music PR. I will therefore need to coninue to pursue learning about online technology in order to succeed in this area. I have decided that online/design technology is where my strengths definitely lie, and studying this technology module has reaffirmed this for me.

I have had a very enjoyable year, which has now inspired me to continue to learn about music technology. It plays a very important role within the industry today and it is vital that I keep up to speed with technological developments within the music field.

Music Photography

I have always had a strong interest in photography. Since studying at A-level I have worked as a professional studio photographer and have also been commissioned to photograph bands both live and for promotional shoots.

For Christmas, i was given a Nikon D3000 DSLR - a high end digital single lens reflex camera. I used the camera to take promotional shots of the band 'Zap Zap Zap' and also a number of live shots. When taking promotional shots I had to make sure the shutter speed and aperture were set correctly to ensure the shots were not blurred. The camera can be adjusted to shutter priority or to aperture priority to make life easier for the photographer. These modes allow for the photographer to adjust the shutter speed and the camera picks the aperture setting, or vice versa, making the process of taking photos a lot quicker.
When taking photos in a live setting I had to use the camera in a manual setting, adjusting both the aperture and shutter speed myself. Gigs are difficult places to take photos as lighting is low which requires a small aperture setting (a larger hole in the lense for more light to be let through). However, onstage action is very quick so a fast shutter speed is needed. A fast shutter speed and low aperture setting are very conflicting so a lot of test shots need to be taken in order to get the settings right. Please see pictures I have taken of the band above. I have also included an image of the model of camera I use. I edit the photographs in iphoto, adjusting the levels of colours as required. iphoto also allows for the addition of effects such as black and white and reducing the hue to change the appearance of photos.

Web & Graphic Design 2

I recently used web and graphic design skills to re-design a bands' myspace page. I chose to not use dreamweave but to write my html in a standard word document, as my main HTML coding consisted of positioning a banner at the top of the myspace profile. (pictured above). I had to be careful as the myspace terms state that their adverts must not be obstructed by any html coding. I then used other HTML coding to change the colour of the background, scrollbar, body text and link text. I also inserted images of their new demo cover which I created previously on photoshop. I had to insert an image over the 'contact' area as a DIV overlay, to make the links look more interesting and fit with the theme of the page. The profile can be viewed by clicking here

Recording Studio

During this lesson we were taught basic skills of how to record in a studio set up. Aside from experiencing a basic recording studio set up at home, this was the first time I had been inside a proper recording studio setup, consisting of a control room and a live room.



We began by setting up instruments in the live room and micing them up. We used an assortment of mics including AKGD112 for the kick drum, Shure SM57 for the snare, floor tom and rack tom and condenser mics for the cymbals. Electrical instruments were channeled straight through to the mixing desk. I found setting up the instruments very interesting as I was able to learn about what mics were appropriate and just how moving the mics slightly affected the sound. I also learnt the importance of making sure all wires were safely taped down to avoid trips and falls.



We noted all mics and instruments onto a whiteboard in the live room to ensure we could identify what each channel on the mixing desk was being used for.



We recorded the instruments using the mixing desk and the recording software protools. Compressors could also be patched in using the patch desk. We had to sound check each individual instrument to ensure the levels were correct. We found we had to adjust the mic on the snare drum as it was capturing a sound of just the drum skin being hit without the snare. We made a basic recording of a band playing a cover song.

The session in the studio was very interesting, i did feel I would like more time within this environment so I could learn more about how to work a mixing desk and how various compressors work and the different sounds they make. It was very useful for learning how to mic instruments but i believe more time is needed to fully learn the workings of the studio.

Music Videos

Making a Music Video

In this lesson we were tasked with creating our own music video. We were given sessions hours to make our video, with one session being dedicated to filming and the following session to editing.

when making out music video we had to take many things into consideration such as -

The choice of song
Location of the shoot
Story Boards - to direct the narrative
Actors
Sound
Lighting

We chose the song - StarStrukk by Katy Perry and 3OH!3 and used a Canon MV600 to film with. The Canon MV600 is a mini DV camera - that records onto mini DV cassettes. Although the filming on these cameras is not the highest, it suited our needs for the project, being small, portable and easy to use.

As this was our first experience of making a film we wanted to make it as easy as possible so we could grasp a clear understanding of the process. We chose to shoot in Manchester Piccadilly gardens using the fountain as a backdrop for our actors and also we shot a lot of scenes inside a car, driving around Manchester. I had the idea that filming out of the window whilst driving, would look very good in the video if we sped up the footage to a high speed.

The following session we uploaded the footage to a computer using a Firewire connection. It is a preferred connection choice over USB as it is quicker and can transfer more high quality data. This is why most miniDV cameras and Apple computers are fitted with Firewire capabilities.

We then loaded our footage into imovie. The software enabled us to edit our footage, cutting out sections to create slides, and add various effects. imovie made it incredibly easy to edit our video. We were able to make a basic sequence of our footage to make an effective narrative.

Rather like podcast software in garage band, we had to import our film (audio in garageband) onto a timeline, adjusting the length and size of clips when needed. Individual effects could be applied to clips also, such as speeding up of footage which I mentioned previously.

Creating a music video was not as challenging as I thought it would be. I very much enjoyed the process. The simplicity of the cameras we were using and also of our editing software, imovie, made the process of making our video very simple. It gave me a definite grounding in the creation of music videos and a good understanding of what needs to be considered when embarking on a movie project.

Graphic Design

Graphic Design Skills

Graphic design skills are often needed within the music industry, whether it be designing flyers and posters to promote gigs, to design websites, logos or to design CD sleeves.

There are many computer programs that can be used for graphic design purposes, this include:

Paint - to draw basic shapes. Images are of very low quality in this program. Basic text can be added. It can only be found on Microsoft Computers

Adobe Fireworks - Used for the editing of Bitmap and vector images
Adobe Illustrator - A Vector graphics editor. It can be used to create Graphics from scratch or to edit scanned in sketches and drawings
Adobe Photoshop - Maninpulation of photos and images

JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group - Compressed, good for photos
BMP - Bit Map Picture - Uncompressed
AI - Adobe Illustrator - Illustrator's own
PSD - Photoshop Document, these can only be opened in Photoshop
GIF - Graphic Interchange Format - A Bitmap image format, good for a small number of colours like those found in logos
TIFF - Tagged File Format - Top Quality
PNG - Portable Networks Graphics - Widely supported on the Internet for widespread use. Another Bitmap format, intended to replace GIF.

I have used both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to create images.

I had a designer draw a basic sketch for a CD sleeve design, which I then edited in Adobe photoshop. I made all lines darker, adjusting the brightness and contrast of the image to do so. I then looked in the filters, effects menu, and chose a dotty effect to make the image look comic-book like. The image was used for the band Zap Zap Zap for their self titled demo which was given away at gigs.

I also created an image in Adobe Illustrator, made entirely of vectors. Following an online tutorial I created basic vector shapes and added various effects and skewed shapes. The end result was a cartoon octopus. Using Illustartor took me a fairly long time as I was not used to the program. It was fiddly to manipulate the shape of the vectors into looking how I wanted them to appear - it probably would of helped if I had used a mouse in order to make the shapes!

Electronic Music Production

Electronic!

When one thinks of the electronic music genre, the first instrument that usually springs to mind is the SYNTHESIZER.

In basic terms, a Synth is an instrument that creates and edits noise. Older synths were known as Analogue synths which gave the user a lot of control over the sounds they were creating. These eventually evolved into digital synths that were faster and easier to use, and came with lots of presets.

The class were asked to research various Synthesizer pioneers. I researched into Korg and learnt that the company initially created and manufactured drum machines. Korg were renound for manufacturing the first AFFORDABLE six voice polyphonic and fully programmable synth in 1981. At this time there were no other synths of this nature available at such a cheap price. Musicians wanted polyphonic synthesisers, as this meant that more than one note could be played at once, which was not possible with earlier synth models. Korg are now known for their affordable instruments.

I was very interested in researching into Korg, as I recently purchased a MicroKorg synth for myself. As I am still learning how to play, it was interesting to look into the history of the instrument and the company.

We used Logic in the lesson to familiarise ourselves with basic synth techniques and controls such as attack, sustain and release, which all contribute to creating different sounds by manipulating sound waves as the musician desires. The lesson was therefore very helpful with my personal understanding of playing my own synth.

Live Sound

Live Sound Overview

In this lesson we were taught the basic components of a live performance set up. In order to learn about the necessary equipment we were tasked with producing a 'shopping list' for a pa system that could be used in a pub with two vocalists that represented value for money.

We found the Wharfdale DM 600 System for £299.00.

This bundle included:

AM600 Mixer 6 channels (covered by carpet for durability when being transported!)
2 x 12" speakers
DM10 Microphone with cabling

Additional equipment needed included:

2 x speaker leads £4.99
VC1 Dynamic Microphone x 2 @ £9.00
Kinsman Mic stand x 2 @ £19.99
speaker stand x 2 @ £35


We presented our findings to the class and concluded that for just over £300 a budget PA system could be bought.

I am familiar with the live setup as my parents used to be pub and club singers and were often on the road gigging. When I was younger I would help carry equipment such as mic stands and monitors around and observe their basic set up. As my mum still likes to sing, we have a basic PA setup in our house where my mum can rehearse. Due to my upbringing I am very conscious of what makes a good live sound.

Web Design

Web Design

In this lesson we were introduced to web design and the tools and programs needed to design websites. We were shown how to use Adobe Dreamweaver, and the steps needed to create basic webpages and how to create links to enable navigation from page to page.

As I used to be very into web design, I am very familiar with the Dreamweaver program and how to write HTML coding, therefore this lesson was very interesting for me. I learnt how to use dreamweaver shortcuts, such as how to create links within a working document using a drag and drop method on the screen.

We also viewed examples of good and bad web design, to determine what made a good website, in terms of its ussability and overall look and feel. It was noted that busy backgrounds with clashing colours and fonts were not appealing.

I commented that GOOGLE was a very appealing website, due to it's sleek and clean 'no fuss' design, which makes it very easy to use. This is opposed to older search engine sites such as LYCOS which were very busy with their design and had homepages full of links which were of no use to the user.

Rock Music Production

Rock!

The brief for this lesson was to find out how rock music is produced and what products such as amps/instruments define the genre. We were tasked to research into Gibson, Fender, Vox, Marshall and Line 6. We were particularly looking at amplifiers and how different amps create different sounds.

I have mixed a rock track in Logic and looked at Guitar Amp Pro. This tool allows th user to create different sounding amp effects onto guitar tracks. I chose to use a preset called '70's stack'. The tone was bright, clean and loud and fit with the rest of the song. On the solo guitar track I increased the gain and presence to make the sound louder and more striking within the song.

Pop music Production

Pop!

In this lesson we studied aspects of technical production that define the pop genre. We recognised that pop recordings are often heavily processed in order to achieve a 'perfect sound' for a record.

An obvious effect used on pop songs is pitch correction - commonly known as 'auto tune'. Programs such as logic incorporate the use of pitch correction, to enable an engineer to correct the pitch of a vocal recording if the artist does not athe note correctly (singing off-key).

Another common effect is compression, where the sound within a recording is compressed so that all levels of volume within the track are the same. for instance, vocals sang quietly are the same volume as vocals sung loudly. Even the sounds of vocalists taking in a breath can clearly be heard on highly compressed recordings.

Reverb is another effect used to warm the sound or tone of instruments on a recorded or live performance. reverb works by simulating the sound of natural acoustics and creating an echo - an artist or sound engineer can select how much reverb is used (a lot of reverb can encourage the sound of playing in a 'echoey' room like a bathroom)

I was given the chance to mix the vocals of an unfinished pop track. I added some pitch correction - but not too much as this can cause a voice to sound very robotic.

Lesson 3 - Studio Production Process

Studio Production

Today I've learnt about recording songs within a studio setting and the process involved with this.

There are numerous types of recording studios, not only are their big studios, but due to advances in technology there can now be portable studios and bedroom studios which rely heavily on laptop use.

Key Elements & Pieces of Equipment

Mixing desk - connects all studio equipment together
software - Logic Pro, Qbase, ProTools, DAW (Digital Audio Workstations)
sound source
Mics
Speakers/Monitors
Effects - e.g. reverb

We also learnt about the recording process:

writing > tracking > mixing > mastering > duplication/artwork > distribution

I learnt that 'Mastering' involves adjusting volumes to ensure all tracks are compatible.
As I have not previously studied music production, I was also keen to find out more about what is involved when mixing a recording, such as adding effects such as pitch correction and cutting and pasting elements of different tracks within the music program.

Within this lesson we were required to research into the history of recording techniques. I researched into Thomas Edison, who I discovered invented the Phonograph, the first device that was capable of recording and playing back sound. Edison's early phonographs recorded onto a tinfoil sheet cylinder using an up-down motion of a stylus.
These cylinders in later years would be flipped into disc form in a vinyl format which is what we now know as records.

Lesson 2 - Where can we legally download music from?/Setting up a blog/Using a Mac

Hello

I've had a lovely time setting up this blog this afternoon! As usual it took me ages to think of a name for the URL. Just realised I've been especially forgetful & managed to leave my USB stick at home so uploading last lessons blog stuffs will have to wait till I get home...

Using A Mac

I have previously used a Mac but as it's been a while I've had to re-fresh my skills somewhat. I have managed to so far master:

• Using finder - to find stuff on the computer
• How to use the dock and switch between programs that are open
• How to open & close programs
• How to save files

I have found that using a Mac has come back to me really quickly which is good - I'm hoping (when my student loan EVENTUALLY comes through) to buy a macbook so learning Mac skills will be especially helpful for me.

Legal Music Downloads

The content of our lesson today as focused mainly around music file formats, the difference in quality between each format and where consumers can legally download music online. In groups we were required to investigate different websites online that sell music, paying close attention to:

• The file format of purchased music downloads
• the price of downloads (singles/albums)
• any extra features bundled with the download i.e artwork, DRM

This was a really useful exercise as a lot of the class have discovered newer and cheaper places to buy music online.

Lesson 1

copy and paste from home :)