 Tuesday, November 17, 2009 |
Fall 2009 Intermediate Electronic Music Presentation Schedule
Fall 2009 Presentation Schedule
Equipment available in the classroom for use by all presenters.
- Mac computer running MS: office inc. Powerpoint
- Keyboard and audio; USB/MIDI to Mac
- Logic, Reason, Protools LE, Garage Band, Sibelius
- DVD, VHS playback
- Computer playback of .mp3, .aiff, .mov, .qt files.
- Projector for above. Laptops can connect if you have adapter.
- Audio can connect if you can accept a 1/4” or 1/8” stereo plug.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 (proposals submitted after deadline)
- Jardin - EM in live performances
- Wesley - hardware v. software
- Mohammad-Agha - Music Therapy
- Pineda - (Topic approval pending)
Tuesday, Dec. 1
- Jasso: Recording Engineer George Massenburg
- Peck: MIDI control surfaces
- Avila: Chiptures, LSDj Gameboy music sequencer
- Murcia: DJ Premiere (need more info)
- Fernandez: Topic needs revision or explanation
Thursday, Dec. 3
- Rojas: Careers in music for video games
- Beggs: Comparing Logic and Protools for beat matching a loop
- Soriano: Autotune
- Lin: Film Music of Hans Zimmer (Dark Knight)
- Dollahon: Industrial Music - Aggrotech
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 11/17/09; 2:04:18 PM.
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| Friday, November 6, 2009 |
Quiz FOUR assigned for Friday-only Intro class
As we discussed in today's (Friday) class, there are only two remaining Friday class meetings after today as result of having two November Friday holidays. Yes, only TWO meetings!
As part of our acceleration of the Friday class (along with today's quiz/test combo) the next quiz is due at our next class meeting on Friday, November 20 - at the start of the period or shortly after. We going to take the two remaining quizzes out of order so the quiz that is due on this date is QUIZ 4. See the link on the quizzes page.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 11/6/09; 12:26:46 PM.
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| Monday, November 2, 2009 |
Need Extra Lab Time?
As we pass the midpoint of the term, you may be surprised at how quickly final exams and final projects approach - and how much you wish you had more lab time than what is available during class!
You can always drop in to use the lab during my other classes. See the Open Labs link in the sidebar at the upper left for more information. (Students in those classes always have priority for their computers, but you may use any vacant workstation.) There is also an open lab on TTh at 11:30-12:20. In addition, there is a very good chance that you will find the lab open at the same time on MW.
The tight schedule is especially an issue for the Friday class since there are two Friday holidays during the final five weeks of the term. Friday class students should make it a priority to come to the lab during open times. But even students in the MW and TTh classes will find that there is barely enough time to finish projects - and little at all to make them really great - if you limit yourself to class time only
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 11/2/09; 2:07:36 PM.
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| Friday, October 30, 2009 |
Important Schedule News for the Friday-only Class
As we have discussed in class on more than one occasion, the Friday-only class loses 2 (of only 11) class meetings this quarter to campus holidays. As you know, we need to work extra-hard this quarter to stay on schedule and complete the full course in nearly 20% less time!
The two holiday Fridays are coming up in November. The class does meet next week on November 6, but not on the week after than, November 13. Then we have one more meeting before the Thanksgiving holiday.
With this in mind, our next class is going to be a busy one! In addition to some important work time on project #6 (which will likely be due on November 20!) quiz #2 is due at the start of the period and I have scheduled test #1 for the last part of the period. Since quiz questions will appear on the test it is critical that you complete the quiz and be in class on time for our review at the start of the period. You will have some additional time to study/review during the class period prior to the test.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/30/09; 12:41:17 PM.
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| Friday, October 23, 2009 |
A Reminder: Compressed Schedule for Fall Quarter Friday Class
During a typical quarter with no Friday holidays, a De Anza College Friday-only class like Music 51 meets 11 times before the final exam session during week 12.
When a Friday-only class falls on a Friday holiday, this is a big deal - it is like missing a whole week of classes! Unfortunately (as much as we all enjoy the three-day weekend) this quarter there are two Friday holidays... cutting our class meetings from 11 to only 9, the equivalent of two full weeks or nearly 20%!
Making this even more challenging is that fact that the two holidays (Veterans Day and Thanksgiving) both occur in November near the very end of the term. I've mentioned in class quite a few times, I am working to push the Friday-only class ahead of the schedule for the MW section... so that we will be ready to cope with the interruptions that are coming up soon.
It is tremendously important that you work to finish projects as quickly as possible. While we would all like to have a lot more time to work on them, it just won't be available during class hours this quarter. (You are encouraged to use the times available outside of the Friday class time!)
The most important thing is to complete a project and demonstrate your ability to use the required techniques. At this point doing so is a higher priority than producing a really wonderful musical example... as hard as that is to accept. It may help to keep in mind the fact that by staying on schedule now you will have more time to work on your final project.
Keep my motto in mind: Finish it first. Make it better later.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/23/09; 12:31:07 PM.
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| Sunday, October 18, 2009 |
H1N1 Flu? Stay Home. Get Better. Don't Spread the Bug!
Last week several students who were not feeling well at all showed up for school and
came to my classes. I more than one case they told me that their
doctors said that they probably had H1N1 flu ("swine flu")!
If you believe that you have the flu, please stay home and get better!
Contact your doctor for advice, especially if you are suffering serious
symptoms. While I appreciate your dedication and your desire to avoid
missing class... it is best for all concerned that you avoid exposing
others and concentrate on taking care of yourself.
Do send me email, phone my office, or send word with a friend to let me know that you are home sick.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/18/09; 9:32:01 PM.
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| Wednesday, October 14, 2009 |
Love the click track!
Today I heard some projects in which the music was going at a very different tempo than that of the click track. Oops!
You must virtually always (OK, always in this class) synchronize the tempo of your music to the click track. Reasons include:
- Logic aligns regions to beats and bars by default. If your music doesn't match the "beats and bars" of Logic it will be off.
- Quantizing will not work correctly
- You will likely not play with a steady tempo.
Every time you record, good practice is to:
- Consider how fast you want your music to be. Actually "play it back in your head" before recording.
- Now that you have the desired tempo in mind, put Logic into record mode and listen to the click track.
- Unless the click is at exactly the speed you had in mind, click on the tempo field with the mouse and alter the tempo until it is right, stopping to listen to it as you make these changes.
- Once it is right, stop the record process. Return to the start of the piece and now play carefully in sync with the click.
It may be easier to play without reference to the click track but - trust me on this! - it isn't going to go well for you if you try to work this way!
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/14/09; 1:49:34 PM.
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| Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
Update on De Anza Power Outage - Tuesday, 10/13
From the De Anza College web site:
At 11 AM, power has been restored to the De Anza College Campus.
Classes will resume at 1:30 PM. Classes prior to 1:30 PM have been canceled.
What
does this mean for the 12:30 p.m. Intermediate Electronic Music class?
Officially the class has been canceled for today. However, if more than
a small number of students show up I will open the room for an open lab
session. I will not introduce any new material in class today.
CLASSES BEGINNING AT 1:30 PM AND LATER WILL MEET TODAY AS SCHEDULED.
(Since a small number of students DID come to class anyway, I'll keep the room unlocked for about one hour of open lab. The assignment that was due at the end of the class on Tuesday, 10/13 is now due at the end of the next class meeting.)
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/13/09; 12:03:36 PM.
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| Wednesday, October 7, 2009 |
Third Week News and Updates
We're sort of settling in now that we are almost 1/4 of the way into the term, so here are a few things to note at this point:
- I'm working to clean up my class rosters and identify students who may no longer be actively participating in electronic music classes. If you have missed classes recently it would be wise for you to check in with me so that I don't drop you!
- As is typical, the number of students in the classes has dropped just a bit. In fact, the MW class - which was "packed to the gills originally" - had two open computers today. If you are looking for a bit of extra lab time please come in during any of my electronic music classes and use a computer not being used by students in that class.
- There is also a bit of open lab outside of class. The room is available on TTh at 11:30-12:20.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/7/09; 2:04:01 PM.
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| Thursday, October 1, 2009 |
Open Lab Updates
Our "regular" open labs are somewhat limited this quarter. They are on Tuesday/Thursday at 11:30-12:20.
There are other times outside of your class hours when you may use the lab. You may come in during any of my three electronic music classes and use computers that are not being used by students in that class. These hours include:
- MTWTh at 12:30-2:10
- Friday at 10:30-1:50
During the first few weeks there will not likely be any unused computers during the MW class, so coming in on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday is a better bet.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/1/09; 1:59:25 PM.
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Assignment Updates
Now that we are in the second week of the term there will be regular assignments to work on and to submit. A quick overview:
- Music 51 classes should be finishing the "Garage Band" assignments - we don't want to spend a lot of time on those! They are due next Monday for the MW class and near the middle of the period this week for the Friday-only class.
- Music 8 students are now working on assignment #2, the Redrum assignment, which is due late in the period next Tuesday. (Music 8 students who did not take my Music 51 also need to start working on assignment #1, which verifies a working knowledge of the Logic Pro application.)
I listen to your projects individually with you during class on the due dates. You'll remove your headphones so that you and I can hear/see the project playback. (While you do this other students in the class will continue to work on their projects using headphones.)
Note that topics/assignments often overlap. While I'm introducing the next new topic you may be working on completion of the previous assignment.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 10/1/09; 1:56:57 PM.
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| Sunday, September 13, 2009 |
Mid-September Fall Term Update
De Anza College will offer several sections of Electronic Music during the upcoming fall 2009 term. Classes begin in September. Visit the De Anza College web site for information on College admissions and registration.
FALL ELECTRONIC MUSIC ENROLLMENT UPDATE
As of Sunday, September 13 both Introduction to Electronic Music classes (MW 12:30-2:10 and Friday-only 10:30-1:50) are full with waiting lists. If you want to take electronic music and you have some background with music software you may be able to go straight into Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music. Currently there are a few spaces left in that class. Contact Dan Mitchell (mitchelldan@deanza.edu) for more information about this option.
Students who wish to try to add are welcome to attend the first class meeting to see if any additional space becomes available.
OTHER MUSIC CLASSES
Consider taking one or more of the other courses offered by the De Anza College Music Department. We offer a wide range of classes open to all students. You can perform in one of our instrumental (wind ensemble, orchestra, jazz bands and combos) or vocal (choirs and vocal jazz groups) music groups; learn the basics of keyboard, guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion, or voice; enroll in Music Fundamentals to begin learning about music reading, complete the full two-year Comprehensive Musicianship (music theory) sequence; take a variety of general education courses (especially see the Music 1 classes) and more.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 9/13/09; 9:32:49 AM.
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| Friday, August 28, 2009 |
| Friday, June 26, 2009 |
Spring 2009 Grades Posted
I have calculated and posted spring 2009 grades for the Introduction to Electronic Music and the Intermediate Electronic Music classes. I heard quite a few very fine final projects this week - congratulations! I hope that I'll see some of you in my Intermediate class (Music 8) next year, and that many of you will consider other music classes. Email me if you have any questions about other music department offerings.
Have a great summer!
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 6/26/09; 5:16:02 PM.
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Missing Projects? (This time, for real!)
Unlike a message I posted here on a related topic earlier this week, this one is actually relevant - and possibly very important - for students taking electronic music classes this quarter.
We have now completed all three electronic music final exam sessions, at which we heard final projects for both Intro to Electronic Music classes and for the Intermediate Electronic Music class. There were a lot of fine projects, by the way!
However, several students who have been active in the electronic music classes did not show up to their finals, or make alternate arrangements - and this means they have submitted no final project. According to course green sheets, I must assign a failing grade if you don't complete a final project. So, if you have a project you need to contact me IMMEDIATELY - and by "immediately" I mean within the next hour or two following the posting and emailing of this message.
Dan Mitchell
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 6/26/09; 1:36:10 PM.
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| Thursday, June 25, 2009 |
| Tuesday, June 23, 2009 |
| Monday, June 22, 2009 |
Dan Mitchell's spring 2009 final exam week schedule
As of Monday, this is my final exam week schedule - subject to change as the week continues of course.
Monday, June 22
9:30-10:20
| Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10. | | 10:30-11:30 | Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10. | | 11:30-12:30 | Office hour (may be in A91 for part of the time) | | 12:30-2:10 | Music 51 regular class meeting - including test #2. |
Tuesday, June 23
9:15-10:30
| Final
exam session for the 9:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30,
but you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
| Later
| I
hope to provide a couple hours of open lab for electronic music
students later in the morning or in the early afternoon. Watch the
electronic music web site for more information.
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Wednesday, June 24
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9:15-10:30
| Final exam
session for the 10:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30, but
you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
| 11:30-1:30
| Final exam session for the MW Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class. Final project playback
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Thursday, June 25
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All day
| I
have no final exams scheduled on Thursday, but I will likely be on
campus at least part of the day. Please email me if you want to make an
appointment ot meet.
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Friday, June 26
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9:15-10:30
| Final exam
session for the Friday-only Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class. Final project playback and test #2.
| 11:30-1:30
| Final exam session for the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class. Final project playback
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Posted by Dan Mitchell on 6/22/09; 7:42:30 AM.
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| Wednesday, June 10, 2009 |
Change to FRIDAY CLASS schedule only
Earlier I announced to the FRIDAY CLASS ONLY that our meeting plans for the last class meeting of the quarter before finals week might change. (The scheduled final exam session will take place as indicated in the class calendar.)
On Friday, June 19 we will have a shortened class meeting that will last only two hours. The lab will only be open for those two hours on that date, and the session will be entirely devoted to work time on final projects. The actual meeting time on that date will be 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Please note the following:
- This week's class on Friday, June 12 is not affected by this change. We will meet according to the normal schedule this week.
- Because of this change the test that would have been schedule for Friday, June 19 will instead take place during our final exam session, along with the scheduled playback of your final projects.
- This change has no affect on other classes - neither the MW Intro to Electronic Music class nor the TTh Intermediate Electronic Music classes are affected.
More information during this week's class meeting on Friday, June 12.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 6/10/09; 1:30:10 PM.
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Music 51: Quiz 4
Quiz 4 (Intro to Electronic Music only) is due as follows:
- MW Class - due on Wednesday, June 17
- Friday Class- due on Friday, June 12
For the Friday class, I am aware that I did not sufficiently cover the concepts of "drop" and "cycle" in class before assigning the quiz. Please answer those questions a best you can - I'll compensate in the grading of the quiz and we'll go over these topics in class this week.
Posted by Dan Mitchell on 6/10/09; 1:25:17 PM.
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Electronic Music Classes
De Anza College offers three electronic music classes during a typical term - read on for more information...Music Tech Classroom
The De Anza Music Department has a state of the art electronic music classroom. Student workstations include:
- Korg X50 keyboard
- Apple 20" iMac
- Logic Pro
- Reason 3.x
- Protools LE
- Sibelius
- Garage Band
Three sections of electronic music are offered during most terms:
Intro to Electronic Music
(Music 51, two sections)
- MW 12:30-2:10
- F 10:30-1:50
Intermediate Electronic Music
(Music 8, one section)
More information about these classes appears below in this sidebar and via links on the left side of the page. (Note: Music 8 follows Music 51, but some students who have not taken Music 51 may be qualified to go into Music 8 if they have equivalent experience/background from some other source.) Contact Dan Mitchell (mitchelldan@deanza.edu) for more information about the electronic music classes.
This information about the schedule is subject to change. Visit the De Anza College web site for current schedules and for registration and enrollment information.
De Anza College music classes are open to all students. This includes the electronic music classes and many other classes: performance groups, theory, keyboard, guitar, voice, instruments, etc.
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Program Information
Intro to Electronic Music (Music 51A) - Learn the basics of synthesizers, drum machines, MIDI, and sequencing (using Logic). There are two sections: MW at 12:30-2:10 and F at 10:30-1:50 . This class is open to all students and there are no prerequisites.Intermediate Electronic Music (Music 8B) - Work with pro-level synths, samplers, processors, and software (Logic, Reason and other programs). This class meets at 12:30-2:10 TTh. For students who have completed Music 51A or who have equivalent experience. Repeat the class for credit and study sound design and digital audio.Questions? - Send email to Dan Mitchell: mitchelldan@deanza.edu
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