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Electronic Music @ De Anza College

 

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Intro to Electronic Music: MUSI 51 

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Week 5 Summary


2/6-2/10
Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ALL
(NOTE that the information on this page is not always kept up to date. Check assignments pages for official due dates.)


Current Term

Monday 2/6

Work time on #3. Introduced effects inserts in Logic. Then...

Realized that most would not finish #3 today, so moved ahead to do first electronic history presentation. Assigned quiz due date as one week from today. Regarding assignment #3... will need to provide perhaps another 30 minutes of work time on Wednesday, then listen to them. Need to announce and describe #4 and set deadline.
Tuesday 2/7

Collected and reviewed take home quiz 1 on harmonics. Heard assignment #3, the subtractor assignment - which took longer than I expected. (Modification to the assignment for the future might include requiring students to work from init patch on all or some instruments, submit written descriptions of all parameters that they changed, ask them to account for a subset of adjustments whether or not they changed them, etc. - the issue is that a number of them submitted fairly interesting sounds, but they produced them by making very minor changes to preexisting sounds and they did not understand why the sounds worked as they did.) At the end of the period, considered introducing the Matrix sequencer, but there was too little time. Perhaps need to introduce the "velocity" section of the subtractor, at least to demonstrate the concept of having velocity scale the effect of other controls.

Wednesday 12/8
Ended class a few minutes early today. 30 minutes work time on #3, then room circuit to hear this assignment. Went over requirement for #4 and announced due date. Reviewed how to use Logic Basics instruments for assignment #3. (Next time do 2nd EM topic - same day as first take home quiz due. Reminded class to print first quiz TODAY.
Thursday 2/9

TBA

Friday 2/10

TBA


Previous Terms

2011 Fall

Monday 10/24
Work time on #3. Heard #3 - from those who were finished. Started first history topic.
Wednesday will primarily be: Hear #3, then finish EM history project and assign quiz, with any remaining time for work on #4. (May need to delay #4 deadline depending on progress on Wednesday.)

Tuesday 10/25

No Music 8 this term.

Wednesday 10/26
Finished first EM topic. Assigned Quiz 1 as due next week on Wednesday. Announced assignment 4 as next project and due next Wednesday also. Work time to finish #3 or start on #4. Heard remaining #3 assignments. Reminded class to print first quiz TODAY.
Thursday 10/27

No Music 8 this quarter

Friday 10/28

Completed first EM Topic. Work time on #3. Hear #3. Second EM Topic. Work time on #4. Announce both take-home quizzes due next Friday at start of class. Announced that TEST 1 will also be next week! No new Logic topics. Introduced logic effect inserts and automation.

About next week - we are now up against the two holidays in November. For this reason two quizzes are due next week and we do the test and (we hope) assignment 4 is due. It may or may not be possible to introduce the next Logic topic but this should happen if at all possible


2011 Spring


Monday 5/2
Heard #3 - from those who were finished. Introduced automation in Logic including creating a master volume automation track in Logic and also looked at a few other ways to use automation. Due date for #4 may have been listed at web site - but not mentioned in class and may need to be changed - see below.
Because we are a bit behind on #3: last part of period was final in-class time for working on #3. Class knows that if they are not done today they must come to Tuesday class tomorrow to finish. Did not do the first EM history topic. So... Wednesday will primarily be: Hear #3, then EM history project, with any remaining time for work on #4. (May need to delay #4 deadline depending on progress on Wednesday.
Tuesday 5/3
Introduced the most basic features of the NN19 and the NNXT, only to the extent of selecting pre-existing "patches" or instruments. Need to expand on that next time, along with discussion of layers.
Returned quiz 1 and assigned quiz 2 as due one week from today. Much of the remainder of the period was work time on the next assignment that is due Thursday - the "two racks" assignment with effects.
Wednesday 5/4
Did the first EM session and assigned quiz #1 as due one week from today. Hear remaining #3. Those who were finished #4 could work on #4, which is also due next week.
Thursday 5/5
Introduced process of creating pitched sample instruments in Logic. Imported individual pitched samples into the NN19 and went through the process to ensure accurate mapping to the keyboard. Did a quick explanation of how to do splits and then how to do layers on the NN-XT. Heard the "two racks" assignment at the end of the period as students worked on next assignment - BUT ONLY HEARD ABOUT HALF OF THEM - NEED TO HEAR THE REST NEXT TIME. Some work time on 5 near end of period.
At some point probably need to go over the process of using Logic as an audio editor for samples, but need to check ahead on assignments to see where this is most appropriate. Also week 6 might be a good time to mention the presentation assignment in a general way, though this could also wait for perhaps either the end of the week or early the following week.
Friday 5/6
Not this quarter


2011 Winter

Monday 1/31
Introduced first EM history topic - up through Telharmonium and Singing Arc - assign first quiz for one week from today. Many were still not quite finished with assignment #3 so did not listen to it today - instead it is due at the next class period, with at least 30 minutes available at start of that session to work on it. Went over creating a master volume automation track in Logic and also looked at a few other ways to use automation. Due date for #4 may have been listed at web site - but not mentioned in class and may need to be changed.
Tuesday 2/1
Introduced NN19 fairly completely and did a very cursory introduction to the NNXT - need to expand on that next time, along with discussion layers.
Wednesday 2/2
Work time on #3, then hear #3. Announced #4 as due at end of period next time, but this is probably unrealistic, given that most didn't finish #3 until end of period today - will likely need to announce at start of period that it won't be due until Wednesday. (Sigh... :-) Also, told class that any who were not ready to play back #3 today must tell me when they are finished, as I will not be listening to them as part of regular class activities otherwise.
Thursday 2/3
Went over the layering features of the NNXT. Imported individual pitched samples into the NN19 and went through the process to ensure accurate mapping to the keyboard. Reminded concerning assignment 5. Some work time on 5 near end of period. Heard 4 from all but a very small number who were not ready. (Remind them next time to play 4 for me.)

At some point probably need to go over the process of using Logic as an audio editor for samples, but need to check ahead on assignments to see where this is most appropriate. Also week 6 might be a good time to mention the presentation assignment in a general way.
Friday 2/4

Busy day...

Presented second electronic music topic and assigned quiz 2 as due at start of next class. Also announced that test 1 will be scheduled for end of next class meeting (need to grade quizzes during that class), and that the following Friday will be a holiday.

Introduced basics about editing sounds on the ES1 subtractive synth so that some can start on #5. We should try to have #5 finished at the end of next class, but will no doubt have to accommodate a few who may not have it completed.

Heard remaining #3 and a very few #4 by the end of the period. Almost all students said they were nearly done with #4, so we agreed that I would hear it perhaps 15 minutes after going over quiz 2 next week. (Week 6 session will be "high pressure," as we discussed today, since we need to attempt to finish #5 before we miss class the following week for a holiday.)


Fall 2010

Monday 10/18
Introduced first half of first EM history topic - up through Telharmonium and Singing Arc. Did NOT assignt first quiz yet. Many were still not quite finished with assignment #3 so did not listen to it today - instead it is due 10 minutes into the next class period. Those who were already finished began work on #4. Due date for #4 may have been listed at web site - but not mentioned in class and may need to be changed.
Tuesday 10/19
Had software problems today necessitating switching to my laptop and then reinstalling Reason on the instructor's computer. Because I had to resolve this I did NOT hear #4 - effects racks in Reason. Announced that this is now due at the very START of the next class session. Introduced the Merger/Splitter module and briefly explored how to automate Reason. Reviewed the second take-home quiz - on FM.

(DID NOT DO THE FOLLOWING - Introduced the NN19 basics: loading pre-configured instruments, basics of building a pitched instrument from samples. Next time need to see how to build instrument from samples not in the NN19 library and also move on to the NNXT. Need to announce due date for assignment 5.)
Wednesday 10/20
Completed the first EM history topic with the Theremin, and assigned the first take home quiz to be due next Wednesday. Heard may assignment #3, but not all - must hear the remaining at the start of the next class. Work time on project 4, which is due next Wednesday. Reminded class that take-home quiz 1 is due at next class meeting.

DID NOT:  Covered how to back up files to server. Also briefly introduced the velocity tool and the undo history.
Thursday 10/21
Basic introduction to the NN19 and NNXT completed including basics of importing individual samples and just barely of how to create layers. I should probably still go through an example of the full process of creating a full instrument from basic samples. I should also introduce/demo the other controls on the front panels of the samplers.

Need to remind about the Logic assignment

Friday 10/22

Completed first electronic music history topic - through Theremin. (Fall 2010 term, started this last week - one week earlier due to extra winter 2010 holidays and need to move faster to accommodate them.) Announced take-home quiz due next Friday at start of class. #4 is due next week, but many may need the whole period to work on it. Some still did not play #3, and I said I would hear them near the start of the class next week.

Went over using thumb drives for backup and moving files. Introduce methods for editing logic basics instruments so that #5 can start with an optimistic goal of finishing by end of period next week. (By the end of the period today it became clear that this goal would be too optimistic - probably need to actually hear it at the next session after that... and reevaluate the calendar as a whole with a plan that will get through all topics, quizzes, projects, with time left for final projects.)

(likely will finish introducing necessary topics next week, provide work time next week, and have assignment due at the following session (week 7).

Issue: We're getting behind - not your fault, but the issue is our compressed schedule. Not all are done with 3 today, so best objective is to have everyone finish 4 next week - but we'll still be behind. In the end this could leave us with insufficient time for final projects - not a good thing!


Spring 2010

Monday 5/3
Quick review of effects. Introduce first EM history topic. Assign quiz for next Monday. Work on #4.
Tuesday 5/4
Had software problems today necessitating switching to my laptop and then reinstalling Reason on the instructor's computer. Because I had to resolve this I did NOT hear #4 - effects racks in Reason. Announced that this is now due at the very START of the next class session. Introduced the Merger/Splitter module and briefly explored how to automate Reason. Reviewed the second take-home quiz - on FM.

(DID NOT DO THE FOLLOWING - Introduced the NN19 basics: loading pre-configured instruments, basics of building a pitched instrument from samples. Next time need to see how to build instrument from samples not in the NN19 library and also move on to the NNXT. Need to announce due date for assignment 5.)
Wednesday 5/5
Work

time on project 4, which is due at the  next class. Reminded class that take-home quiz 1 is due at next class meeting. Covered how to back up files to server. Also briefly introduced the velocity tool and the undo history.
Thursday 5/6
Basic introduction to the NN19 and NNXT completed including basics of importing individual samples and just barely of how to create layers. I should probably still go through an example of the full process of creating a full instrument from basic samples. I should also introduce/demo the other controls on the front panels of the samplers.

Need to remind about the Logic assignment

Friday 5/7

Present first electronic music history topic - through Theremin. Announce take-home quiz due next Friday at start of class. Will NOT make the next assignment due next week - more likely will finish introducing necessary topics next week, provide work time next week, and have assignment due at the following session (week 7).

Still need to: go over the backup/file server information.

(Note that the week 7 session is shaping up to be a busy one w/o much time for presenting new topics since: a) need to go over second quiz that week, b) need to give first test that week at end of period, c) need to hear project 5.


Winter 2010


Monday 2/1
Introduce the addition of effects inserts in the Logic mixer. Went over how to add, bypass, and select specific presets, how to view on mixer or in arrange window. Heard #3. (Review earlier plan for more details) Need to do history topic on Wednesday.
Tuesday 2/2
Heard

#4 - effects racks in Reason. Introduced the NN19 basics: loading pre-configured instruments, basics of building a pitched instrument from samples. Next time need to see how to build instrument from samples not in the NN19 library and also move on to the NNXT. Clearly announced due date for assignment 5.
Wednesday 2/3
Work

time on project 4, which is due at next class. Also, did the first EM history topic and assigned the first take home quiz - due at start of next class.

Other things to do: how to edit velocity in the piano roll view - especially as a solution when several parts using the same Inst.
Thursday 2/4
A few more basic features of NN19, including use of outside samples. Basic intro to NNXT, including velocity layer concept. Assignment 5 due next week. Also reminded everyone that Logic assignment (#1) will be due by end of week 6 - and who needs to do it. Significant work time on #5.

Still need to do the take-home quiz on modulation, etc.

Last quarter:
Introduced the creation of custom sample instruments on the NN19. Loaded sounds from the NN19 (and NNXT) sound folders in Reason. Also looked at importing sample files from external sources. Work time on assignment 5.
Friday

2/5


Perhaps did not take correct notes on this class?

I believe I did the second EM history presentation, since it is due at next class - on the same day as test 2. I believe I also may have done the basic intro to editing the ES1. Heard assignments due today?

(Note: we are somewhat ahead of the MW class in terms of projects, but under more pressure in terms of quizzes/tests.) Assigned quiz 1. Did second EM History topic. (NOT SURE OF THE FOLLOWING: Heard only a very few assignment 4 at end of period - delay deadline until start of next period. Did not yet assign #5 - that will be explained next week and due the week after. Need to announce upcoming dates for quiz 2 and test 1. Quiz 1 due at start of period.)

Did the intro to simple editing on the ES1 synth, along with the overview of the front panel top level

Last quarter: Work time on project 3 (due at end of period today). Quiz 2 assigned. Example of 1950s electronic music: poeme electronique. Info for project #4 (due next class) with automation, using Logic Basics instruments, and including effects.

FALL 2009

Monday 10/19

Introduce the addition of effects inserts in the Logic mixer. Went over how to add, bypass, and select specific presets, how to view on mixer or in arrange window. Then DID NOT hear #3. Too many were too far from being done - or else I had previously confused the class about the deadline. We had a talk about the importance of "getting it done first and making it better later." Deadline for #3 extended to START of Wednesday class, and informed class that they must use open lab if they were not finished at end of today's session.

OLD NOTES: Catch up from last week's absence. Complete EM history topic (Theremin) and assign quiz for this Wednesday. Edit velocity when one inst is split across tracks. Inserting effects.
Tuesday 10/20
Introduced use of effects modules connected via the aux send/return lines directly to the mixer, and described the assignment using the effects modules.

Last quarter: Introduced the Matrix sequencer, with control over the Subtractor. Barely introduced the NN19 sampler, showing how to load default instruments from the disk and the basics of building an instrument from sound files. Heard assignment 4.
Wednesday 10/21
PLAN includes: explain the use of the server for backup. (Delay this until next week:Cover first EM topic.) Announce and set realistic due date for next assignment. Other things to do: how to edit velocity in the piano roll view - especially as a solution when several parts using the same Inst.

NOTE:

See Monday's summary for due assignment.

SPRING 2009: What we really did! Reviewed quiz 1, which was due in class today. Reviewed selecting Logic Basics instruments and then selecting their sounds - also how to switch to a different LBI later or how to get back to the "main" Media list by selecting "no plugin." Announced that the next assignment (4) will be due at the END (rather than the start) of the period on Monday. Could still add some info to the use of effects- since we only did the basics of this the previous week. Next week - must do the second EMH topic on Monday; quiz due on Wednesday; TEST the following Monday.
Winter 2009: Last quarter: Collected EM History Quiz 1 and reviewed it. Introduced the use of Logic plugin effects via the Insert buttons in the Arrange window - showed how to add them and took a look at some of the specific plugins. Partially a work day on project 4 that is due next week. Electronic music history quiz 2 collected. Introduced To do next time: automating the control of master volume.
Thursday 10/22
We are slightly behind, but there is time to catch up. Did a brief introduction to using the Matrix Pattern Sequencer with the Subtractor, including the use of gate and curve CV. Did not do the split/merge module - save for later. Next need to introduce the samplers, starting with the simpler of the two. Note that next assignment is due Tuesday and that project 1 is due next week. Reviewed project 1 requirements earlier this week.

Still need to do the take-home quiz on modulation, etc.

Last quarter:
Introduced the creation of custom sample instruments on the NN19. Loaded sounds from the NN19 (and NNXT) sound folders in Reason. Also looked at importing sample files from external sources. Work time on assignment 5.
Friday 10/23
(Note: we are somewhat ahead of the MW class in terms of projects, but under more pressure in terms of quizzes/tests.) Assigned quiz 1. Did first EM History topic. Heard only a very few assignment 4 at end of period - delay deadline until start of next period. Did not yet assign #5 - that will be explained next week and due the week after. Need to announce upcoming dates for quiz 2 and test 1. Quiz 1 due at start of period .

Did the intro to simple editing on the ES1 synth, along with the overview of the front panel top level

Last quarter: Work time on project 3 (due at end of period today). Quiz 2 assigned. Example of 1950s electronic music: poeme electronique. Info for project #4 (due next class) with automation, using Logic Basics instruments, and including effects.

Monday 5/4
Catch up from last week's absence. Complete EM history topic (Theremin) and assign quiz for this Wednesday. Edit velocity when one inst is split across tracks. Inserting effects.
Tuesday 5/5
Introduced the Matrix sequencer, with control over the Subtractor. Barely introduced the NN19 sampler, showing how to load default instruments from the disk and the basics of building an instrument from sound files. Heard assignment 4.
Wednesday 5/6
What we really did! Reviewed quiz 1, which was due in class today. Reviewed selecting Logic Basics instruments and then selecting their sounds - also how to switch to a different LBI later or how to get back to the "main" Media list by selecting "no plugin." Announced that the next assignment (4) will be due at the END (rather than the start) of the period on Monday. Could still add some info to the use of effects- since we only did the basics of this the previous week. Next week - must do the second EMH topic on Monday; quiz due on Wednesday; TEST the following Monday.
Last quarter: Collected EM History Quiz 1 and reviewed it. Introduced the use of Logic plugin effects via the Insert buttons in the Arrange window - showed how to add them and took a look at some of the specific plugins. Partially a work day on project 4 that is due next week. Electronic music history quiz 2 collected. Introduced To do next time: automating the control of master volume.
Thursday 5/7
Demonstrated methods for building same instruments from individual samples in Reason NN19, then allowed for about a half hour of work time. Introduced the first take-home quiz - MUST REVIEW THIS MATERIAL NEXT TUESDAY!

Last quarter:
Introduced the creation of custom sample instruments on the NN19. Loaded sounds from the NN19 (and NNXT) sound folders in Reason. Also looked at importing sample files from external sources. Work time on assignment 5.
Friday 5/7
(Note: we are somewhat ahead of the MW class in terms of projects, but under more pressure in terms of quizzes/tests.) Reviewed quiz 1. Did second EM History topic. Heard only a very few assignment 4 at end of period - delay deadline until start of next period. Did not yet assign #5 - that will be explained next week and due the week after. Announced next week dates for quiz 2 and test 1. Quiz due at start of period and test likely during last 45 minutes or so.

Last quarter: Work time on project 3 (due at end of period today). Quiz 2 assigned. Example of 1950s electronic music: poeme electronique. Info for project #4 (due next class) with automation, using Logic Basics instruments, and including effects.

Monday 2/2
Heard  assignment 3. Did first EM history topic. Quiz 1 due at start of period. Barely introduced the very most basic concept about using Logic Basics plugins - basically how to select them and how to use preset sounds. Need to do other assignment 4 information on Wednesday. Make assignment 4 due at start of period one week from Wednesday. (OLD NOTES: Went over: bouncing tracks, basic addition of effects inserts, volume/pan reviewed, assignment 4 introduced, work time on assignment 3... Did not hear #3 at end of period...)
Tuesday 2/3
Introduced the Matrix sequencer, with control over the Subtractor. Barely introduced the NN19 sampler, showing how to load default instruments from the disk and the basics of building an instrument from sound files.
Wednesday 2/4
Collected EM History Quiz 1 and reviewed it. Introduced the use of Logic plugin effects via the Insert buttons in the Arrange window - showed how to add them and took a look at some of the specific plugins. Partially a work day on project 4 that is due next week. Electronic music history quiz 2 collected. Introduced To do next time: automating the control of master volume.
Thursday 2/5
Introduced the creation of custom sample instruments on the NN19. Loaded sounds from the NN19 (and NNXT) sound folders in Reason. Also looked at importing sample files from external sources. Work time on assignment 5.
Friday 2/6
Work time on project 3 (due at end of period today). Quiz 2 assigned. Example of 1950s electronic music: poeme electronique. Info for project #4 (due next class) with automation, using Logic Basics instruments, and including effects.
---

Monday 2/2
Heard  assignment 3. Did first EM history topic. Quiz 1 due at start of period. Barely introduced the very most basic concept about using Logic Basics plugins - basically how to select them and how to use preset sounds. Need to do other assignment 4 information on Wednesday. Make assignment 4 due at start of period one week from Wednesday. (OLD NOTES: Went over: bouncing tracks, basic addition of effects inserts, volume/pan reviewed, assignment 4 introduced, work time on assignment 3... Did not hear #3 at end of period...)
Tuesday 2/3
Introduced the Matrix sequencer, with control over the Subtractor. Barely introduced the NN19 sampler, showing how to load default instruments from the disk and the basics of building an instrument from sound files.
Wednesday 2/4
Collected EM History Quiz 1 and reviewed it. Introduced the use of Logic plugin effects via the Insert buttons in the Arrange window - showed how to add them and took a look at some of the specific plugins. Partially a work day on project 4 that is due next week. Electronic music history quiz 2 collected. Introduced To do next time: automating the control of master volume.
Thursday 2/5
Introduced the creation of custom sample instruments on the NN19. Loaded sounds from the NN19 (and NNXT) sound folders in Reason. Also looked at importing sample files from external sources. Work time on assignment 5.
Friday 2/6
Work time on project 3 (due at end of period today). Quiz 2 assigned. Example of 1950s electronic music: poeme electroniq


Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ALL
(NOTE that the information on this page is not always kept up to date. Check assignments pages for official due dates.)

Last update: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 2:10:08 PM
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