De Anza College Electronic Music Web Site

Open Labs Reminder

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:10:10 GMT

Electronic Music open labs began last week and continue until final exams. Check the Open Labs page for the details. (The short story is that there are open labs on TTh at 2:10-3:30, and that you may also use a vacant workstation during any of my electronic music classes.)

Assignment 2 for Intro Class

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:04:51 GMT

***Intro to Electronic Music Assignment 2
Due Wednesday, October 8 at END of class for the MW class.
DELAYED - Due Friday, October 10 17 for the Friday class - at START of class.

Electronic Music Open Lab

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:37:23 GMT

Open lab time is available for students in Intro to Electronic Music and Intermediate Electronic Music classes. The current official times are at 2:10-3:30 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. (We hope to be able to add additional hours later in the term.)

In addition, you may come to any other electronic music class and make use of computers that are not being used by the students in that class. Later in the term I may be able to accommodate a handful of students this way during each class. (Right now it may be a bit tight until we figure if other students will drop/add.)

Most students will need outside lab time to complete class projects.

De Anza Traffic Delays and Congestion Next Week

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:13:17 GMT

Today the College shared the following announcement that may affect students and others driving to campus and parking here next week.

Due to major events at the Flint Center during the next two weeks, expect traffic delays and congestion and limited parking around the Flint Parking Structure on the following dates and times:
MONDAY, SEPT. 29, 6:30-10 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8, 6:30-10 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 9, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Electronic Music Enrollment Update for 9/23/08

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:01:58 GMT

I met the MW Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class for the first time yesterday at 12:30 in A91. I added as many students as I can take in that class. While there is always a chance that someone may not return on Wednesday, you may want to consider the Friday-only class if you are trying to add. (If you still want to try to get into the MW class be sure to attend this week on Wednesday.)

I will meet the TTH Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class for the first time today at 12:30 in A91. It appears that there may be about five open seats based on pre-enrollment in the class. If you want to add the class it is very important that you attend today's class!

I will meet the Friday-only Music 51:Introduction to Electronic Music class for the first time this Friday at 10:30 in A91. The class appears to be full based on pre-enrollment, but there is a chance that I will be able to add a few more students who come to the first meeting this week. If you are interested, be there at the start of class!

FALL 2008 ELECTRONIC MUSIC CLASSES

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:21:46 GMT

Important Note About Enrollment: As of Thursday, Sept. 4 it appears that both sections of Intro to Electronic Music - Music 51 are full. If you are interested in these classes and have not yet enrolled you'll want to read on...

There is some possibility that you may be able to add the classes at the first meeting even if they are full. If you intend to do this it is absolutely critical that you attend the first meeting and that you arrive on time.
Do continue to check the De Anza online registration system since it is possible that an opening or two may become available if a registered student changes his/her schedule.
Consider enrolling in Intermediate Electronic Music - Music 8 if you have some background with electronic music software and hardware - 6 seats in this class remain available as of 9/21. Email me if you have questions: Dan Mitchell at mitchelldan@deanza.edu)

Electronic Music Classes for Fall 2008

The fall 2008 term begins soon at De Anza College - and now is the time to begin taking care of your admissions and registration if you want to enroll. You can do all of this online at the De Anza College web site.

(The De Anza College Music Department offers a two-course sequence of electronic music classes. The classes are open to all De Anza College students - no, you do not need to be a "music major" to take them.

These classes are designed to get you up to speed with electronic music hardware and software including synths, drum machines, sampling, sound design and so forth. The focus is on learning general principles and techniques that you can apply in any style of music and on different platforms and products - and you'll do this largely by creating musical projects at one of the music workstations in our electronic music classroom.

This fall we offer two sections of our Introduction to Electronic Music class and one section of our Intermediate Electronic Music class. Most students will want to start with the Intro class, though if you have some significant background you may be able to go straight into the Intermediate class. (Contact me by email for more information.)

Introduction to Electronic Music - Music 51

Two sections are offered - sign up for either one:

MW at 12:30-2:10, or
Friday at 10:30-1:50

After spending the first week quickly getting up to speed using Garage Band (easy program, but there's more to it than you might think...) we move quickly to a professional audio environment, Logic Pro 8. Along the way you'll learn most basic techniques in this program, you'll create a number of small projects and one full end-of-term project, and you'll learn about different types of music that have been made using electronic media.

Intermediate Electronic Music - Music 8

We offer one section of this course:

TTh at 12:30-2:10

This course continues and builds upon the Intro course and focuses on sound design, sampling, and synthesis using the Reason application and the many powerful plugins found in Logic Pro. We integrate the two programs via ReWire as well.

Questions?

There is more information in both sidebars on this page, and you can also take a look at course resources posted on this web site. Email me if you want more information or if you have questions about either course: mitchelldan@deanza.edu.

See you in September!

Spring 2008 Course Grades Posted

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:19:34 GMT

I have posted final course grades for both the Music 8 and Music 51 classes. After logging in at the web site you should be able to see links to the two reports in the Resources section of the sidebar at the left side of the page.

Have a great summer - and I'm looking forward to seeing many of your (and perhaps some of your friends!) in the fall 2008 electronic music classes!

Open Lab Update - Thursday, June 26

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:47:10 GMT

The Electronic Music Lab will be open today (Thursday, June 26) for perhaps as long as about two hours starting around noon. Times are not precise since we are on the final exam schedule this week, but come at about that time if you want time for some last-minute work on your project.

Open Lab Update - Wednesday, June 25

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:42:16 GMT

It appears that I will not be able to open the lab for substantial open sessions this morning since I have other commitments including an on-campus meeting and the completion of some grading for other classes.

I will try to open the room about a half hour or so before the 11:30 Music 8 final exam session, but students in the Music 51 class will not be able to work on final projects during the final.

There is some chance that I may be able to open the lab for about an hour after we finish the playback of Music 8 final projects. I estimate that this might be at about 1:00-2:00 or so.

I may be able to open the classroom for a short period during the middle of the day on Thursday, so stay tuned...

Tuesday, June 24 Open Lab

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:43:40 GMT

I plan to be on campus on Tuesday morning to open the lab for two hours or possibly a bit longer starting at about 11:30 a.m. Although I have still not been able to verify with absolute certainty that there are no other classes scheduled to use the lab, I cannot think of a class that would be scheduled at that time - so we should be fine. In case we do encounter a conflict, I'll post an update at that time.

Final Exam Week: Open Lab Session Updates

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:07:58 GMT

It appears that there will be a one-hour open lab on Monday, June 23 at 11:30-12:20. Please cooperate with our lab monitor and be prepared to leave the lab right at the end of this session, at which point he must lock up the room.

It is almost certain that I'll be able to open the lab for a couple hours on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 24. I do not yet know the exact time and there is still a small chance that the room may not be available, but I predict that it will most likely be available sometime after about 12:00 noon. I'll post updated information on this web site as soon as I have it.

Preparing Your Final Project for Playback

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:52:49 GMT

I am providing an outline of steps to take to make sure that we can play back your final project at your final exam schedule. If you don't understand all of these stops just yet, don't worry - I will go over them during the Wednesday Intro class. (They also apply to Intermediate class projects.)

Keep copies of your work

As you work on your project keep original copies of your project and all support files (e.g. - samples, etc.) in your folder on your computer.

At the end of each work session - after you quit Logic and/or Reason - be sure to copy your folder to the server so that you have a backup there.

(Do not save directly to the server from inside the Logic or Reason applications - save on your computer first, quit the programs, and then manually move your backup files to the server.)

Optional: Copy your folder to a memory stick or other backup medium that you can take with you.

Save your project as a 'project' file

From now on, save your work as a "project." Saving as a project creates a folder containing your piece and all support files needed to play it back on any computer. Choose "Save as project..." from the File menu.

Bounce to mp3

Also on the File menu in Logic you will find a "Bounce..." command. Use this to create a mp3 audio version of your project that a) you can take with you at the end of the term and b) we can play back at the project playback session.

Click on a blank area of the main Arrange window so that no regions are selecting and then choose "Bounce." Make sure that mp3 is checked, and then save the mp3 file in your folder on your computer. (It will be moved to the server when you make your backup as described above.)

(Note for Intermediate students: When Logic and Reason are working in Rewire mode, your Reason tracks will also be bounced automatically.)

Electronic Music Final Exam Schedules

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:45:35 GMT

Both Electronic Music classes will use their scheduled final exam sessions for playback of final projects. You must attend your scheduled exam session in order to get credit for your final project. These sessions are scheduled as follows:

MW Music 51 Introduction to Electronic Music class final exam session at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

TTh Music 8 Intermediate Electronic Music class final exam session at 11:30-1:30 on Wednesday, June 25.

Week 11 Open Labs

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:15:15 GMT

The normal open labs should be available this week on Tuesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 19:

11:30-12:20
2:10-4:10

In addition, you may drop in during any electronic music class and use an open workstation.

Still Have Assignments to Show Me?

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:13:40 GMT

If there are any assignments that you have not yet shown me (excepting the final project) you need to let me know this week.

Some Highlights of the Final Week of Classes...

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:36:31 GMT

... prior to final exams week.

This week:

Intro to Electronic Music will have a work day for final projects on Monday. On Wednesday, we'll use perhaps half of the class period for written test #2 and half for additional work time.
Intermediate Electronic Music will continue on both days with class presentations. Any additional class time will be available for work on final projects.

Open lab sessions are available on Tuesday and Thursday as per the usual schedule. This week is the last week of regularly scheduled open labs. (Feel free to drop in during either class and use any open computer, too.)

During final exams week I will try to schedule some open lab time on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. Watch for more information.

Your final projects are due and will be played back at the scheduled final exam sessions. Check your green sheet for the time/day scheduled for your class.

NO OPEN LAB TODAY AFTER CLASS

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:27:23 GMT

Our lab monitor will not be available to open the electronic music lab this afternoon between 2:10 and 4:10. Unfortunately, this means that the AFTERNOON open lab will be cancelled. (Normally I would stay and keep the lab open myself, but I have a prior commitment today and I will not be able to stay past the end of the 12:30-2:10 class.)

Fortunately, there is still a lot of open lab time available next week on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Dan Mitchell

Quick Overview of Weeks 11 and 12

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:43:17 GMT

After this week, there are only two weeks left in the spring term. Week 11 is the last week of regular class meetings, and week 12 is "final exams week" at De Anza. Check your course calendar - linked for the greensheets listed in the sidebar - for full details. Here is a quick list of highlights:

	Music 8	Music 51	Both
Mon 6/16		Regular class meeting - final project work session
Tue 6/17	Regular class meeting - class presentations and work time on final projects		Open Labs at usual times
Wed 6/18		Regular class meeting - work time on fina projects and TEST 2
Thu 6/19	Regular class meeting - Class presentations and work time on final projects.		Open Labs at usual times
Mon 6/23		NO CLASS
Tue 6/24	NO CLASS		Possible open lab to be announced
Wed 6/25	FINAL EXAM SESSION @ 11:30-1:30 p.m. Attendance required. Final Project Playback		Possible open lab to be announced
Thu 6/26			Possible open lab to be announced
Fri 6/27		FINAL EXAM SESSION @ 11:30-1:30 p.m. Attendance required. Final Project Playback

Two Weeks... Then Final Exams Week

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:47:51 GMT

We are now in week 10 of the term. This week and next week (week 11) are the last two "regular weeks" of the term, followed by the final exam sessions during week 12.

In both electronic music classes, the primary task is now the completion of your final projects. All class time not devoted to something else will be available for work on the projects. But this probably will not be enough time for you to complete your project, at least not if you want to make it as good as it can be.

In the Intro to Electronic Music class, we'll use some class time on Wednesday of this week to review the take-home quiz that is due that day. We'll also use perhaps half of the period on Thursday, June 19 (the last regular class meeting before finals) for test 2.

In the Intermediate Electronic Music class we will use a significant portion of the three remaining regular class meetings for your class presentations.

Open lab time (see the link in the upper sidebar for a summary) should continue to be available during weeks 10 and 11. As you know, there are several hours of time available every Tuesday and Thursday - plan to use this time!

There may (or may not?) be some open lab time available during final exams week. I do not yet know the schedule, but I will likely be able to provide some information near the end of week 11.

Quiz 3 Due This Wednesday, June 11

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:36:41 GMT

The last take-home quiz, quiz 3 is due at the start of class this Wednesday, Jun 11. This quiz is based on material presented in class on Monday, June 9.