Sequencing
Final Sequence: https://soundcloud.com/user-416631632/sequencing-rather-be
Sequencing without vocals:
Sequencing without vocals:
How
to set up a Project
DAW: Digital Audio Workstation is the computer
program that allows you to mix, edit and record audio. The DAW we use in our
assignment is Cubase 6, with is program we are able to record instruments,
write MIDI tracks as well as input a digital instrument, which is what we did
in the last assignment. For this assignment we are focusing on using MIDI.
Cubase: When using Cubase 6, to add a MIDI track
you go to the tool bar at the top of the window, click on project, add track,
audio instrument. Then the next step we do in Cubase is to use the pencil
button and draw on the track, this will allow us to later access the key
editor. The key editor is a new tab, which enables us to draw notes. Key editor
uses a layout to show each note on a piano to the left, then on top the bars of
the recording. In this assignment I will be using this to write every note from
the score.
Computer operating system: The iMac uses Mac OS
X Lion 10.7.5 software with Kernel version Darwin 11.4.2. This
operating system compared with Cubase 6 allows most products that are provided
by Cubase to work such as Hal Lion, VST sound instrument sets and WaveLab. With
all of this working there is very few restrictions when using this operating
system however there is a few products that are disabled like Groove agent, Hal
Lion sonic and Cubase AI. It isn't a total loss without these products.
Setting
up a track with Hal Lion SE
What is MIDI?
MIDI is short for musical instrument digital
interface. Basically MIDI gives the computer a set of instructions for
individual notes. It can give information such as the note played, how long the
note is played for and the type of instrument it plays as. MIDI can be
represented in Cubase 6 using the key editor.
What is general MIDI?
General MIDI is a key used for music
synthesisers which the MIDI message reads from to get the instrument that they
want it. For example an acoustic grand piano is assigned to the number 1 and
the acoustic bass is assigned to 33. There is a possible 128 different program
numbers meaning that you can have 128 different instruments.
Software Synthesisers:
Software synthesisers are a digital program that uses
samples of several different instruments to allow you to change the sound of a
track. In this assignment we will be using the in built program Hal Lion SE in
Cubase 6. To access this there is a little black box to the left of the screen,
when you hover over it the word “programs” appears. Click this box to get the
list of different instruments you can change the track to. There is also a
little keyboard icon on the left of the screen, this will also bring up the Hal
Lion SE workstation.
Using
Groove agent for your drums
Software Samplers:
A piece of software used to replicate the analogue waves of
instruments, which are recorded in a sampler. Then the software can play back
the selected sample, samples can also be recorded into the system. Groove agent
is the software we will use in this assignment. Groove agent is mainly used for
drum tracks so, when adding a new instrument track instead of choosing Hal Lion
SE, you will select Groove agent instead. To access Groove agent you will need
to click media on the top toolbar, then scroll down to MediaBay. This will open
a new window where you can listen to each sample. Once you have found the
sample you want, open the Groove agent the same way as you did for Hal Lion
SE. Now making sure you have both the
sampler window and Groove agent open, drag the chosen sample over to one of the
pads in Groove agent.
Using
Key editor to edit notes
Earlier we discussed the key editor can be used to write
notes into a track, but here is more precise details on how to use it. Once you
have opened the key editor window, to draw a new note into the track you select
the pencil tool in the top of the window and click on the squares you wish the
note to be. On the left there is the note of each key. On the top of the screen
there is the bars of the overall recording. To delete a note use the eraser
tool that is located at the top of the screen in the same toolbar as the
pencil.
How
to use the Key studio Keyboard to input notes
MIDI controllers: Midi controllers are used to
transmit MIDI data from one device to another. Examples of controllers include
synthesisers and USB DJ controllers.
MIDI IN: sending signals of data
MIDI OUT: taking in data from the controller
MIDI THRU: Sends signals through to another device
Keystudio Keyboard 49i:
This is the name of the MIDI controller we will be using
during the assignment, this is the physical way to input the notes into the key
editor, and this works by every note on the controller being connected to the
digital key in key studio.
