De Anza College Electronic Music Web Site

Grade Updates

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:42:23 GMT

I have posted some updates to your current course grades. After logging in to the web site you should be able to see links to the course grades in the Resources section of the sidebar. Grades are listed according to your student ID codes as obtained from your "My De Anza" page. (Note that grades for the Music 8 class are indicated by a numerical value where 12=A, 11=A-, 10=B+, 9=B, 8=B-, 7=C+, 6=C, 5=C-, 4=D+, 3=D, 2=D-, 1=F, and 0= no grade recorded.)

Upcoming Holidays and the Electronic Music Classes

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:51:00 GMT

There is a four-day "Presidents Day" holiday coming up on Friday, February 12 through Monday, February 15. This will affect both of the Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music classes:

The MW class will not meet on Monday, February 15.
The Friday class will not meet on Friday, February 12.

The most significant effect will be on the FRIDAY class. Because it is a one-day-per-week class, we will not meet at all between today (February 5) and two weeks from now (February 19). For this reason:

I have accelerated some work in this section of the class, including the second take-home quiz and assignment 4.
Test #1 for the Friday class will be on February 19 - the next class meeting and the same day that the quiz is due!
It will likely be necessary for some students in the Friday to make use of open lab times during the next two weeks. This is especially true for students who might be a bit behind or who need additional lab time.

I'll try to have both classes back on schedule by the week following the holiday weekend.

Late Arrival and Workstation Availability

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:37:16 GMT

A attendance policy for all electronic music classes:

Special note regarding late arrival and availability of workstations: After the first five minutes of the period, any unused computers are available for use by students from other electronic music classes. If you arrive later than this you may not be able to use your usual computer.

If you arrive late you will have to use whatever computers are still available in the classroom if yours is already taken.

Our Motto: 'Get it done first. Make it better later."

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:24:34 GMT

At today's Intro to Electronic Music class it turned out that the majority of students were not ready to play back their projects when they were due at the start of the period. This brings up several important issues:

If you are almost done when I get to your workstation you can ask me to hear it on my "second pass" around the room. This only works if you are nearly finished.
If you aren't ready on the "second pass," it becomes your responsibility to let me know when it is finished.
There are grade reductions for projects that are turned in late.
It is always better to finish a simple and basic project than to not finish a potentially astounding complex project. (Unfinished projects rarely astound me... :-)
"Get it done first. Make it better later" means make your goal the timely completion of a project that meets basic assignment requirements. (Or, "Get it done my the deadline. Make it better if you have extra time.")

Assignment #2 Delayed for MW Class Only

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:16:12 GMT

For several reasons (Monday holiday earlier this week, weather, student "walk-in" event, need to explain "logic basics" instruments) I am delaying the deadline for assignment #2 for the MW class until next Monday at the START of the period.

First Open Lab Today

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:13:11 GMT

The first session of our Tuesday/Thursday 2:15-3:30 electronic music open lab is this afternoon. This time is available for you to work on your class projects, and the labs are open to all currently-enrolled electronic music students.

Open Lab

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:41:03 GMT

Starting this Tuesday open lab time will be available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:15 p.m (right after Music 8) until 3:30 p.m. The room will be supervised by a staff monitor who is not an "electronic music person," so you'll be on your own with the software for the most part.

See the Open Labs link in the sidebar for more information about using the lab outside of your scheduled class time.

Facebook and Twitter: Class Updates

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:20:24 GMT

I have Facebook and Twitter accounts that I use on occasion to send out quick updates and information. For example, this morning I sent out a notice related to the closure of one of the parking garages at the college. You may want to subscribe:

Twitter: deanzadan
Facebook: deanzadan

I only use these accounts for course-related posts and information.

New Policy Regarding Timely Completion of the Add Process

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:44:07 GMT

Because almost all of my classes are full and students are still lining up to add I have decided to institute a new policy about completing the add process in a timely way. If I accept your request to add the class and give you an add code you must complete the process of actually adding the class before the next class meeting. If you do not do so and other students want to add the class I will drop you in order to make space for them.

If circumstances make it necessary for you to wait longer than 24 hours to complete the add process you must speak to me about this in order to get an extension.

Winter 2010 Update - New Years Eve Day

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:42:20 GMT

Happy 2010 and welcome to the winter 2010 term at De Anza. Here are a few updates and bits of information about the winter electronic music classes:

Both sections of Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music are now full.
I may be able to add a few students to these classes if some of the pre-registered students fail to attend the first class meetings without obtaining my permission beforehand. If space does become available I will add students from among those in attendance until the 30 student seat count is reached for each section. Unfortunately, I cannot take more than 30 students since we have only 30 workstations.
At the moment, there is a short waiting list for the MW 12:30-2:15 section, but there is no one on the waiting list for the Friday-only 10:30 section. With this in mind, I think there is an excellent chance that I'll be able to add at least a few students, especially in the Friday class.
If you were not able to get into the Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class this term you may be able to go straight into the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class if you have sufficient background in the subject. If you think that you may quality, please email right away (mitchelldan@deanza.edu) and tell me about your background.
There is currently space for three more students in the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class that meets at 12:30-2:15 on TTh.
Come to the first class meeting prepared to get started - bring a note book (or other material for taking notes that you'll use all quarter) and something to write with.

You can get a small head start by taking a look at online course green sheets and other materials - see the links along the left side of the page. (Some materials may reflect information from last quarter up until our first class meeting of the winter term.) Enrollment updates as of 1/210:

Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music - 12:30-2:15 on MW in room A91. Current enrollment is 30/30. (FULL - attend first meeting to try to add)
Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music - 10:30-2:15 on Friday-only in room A91. Current enrollment is 30/30. (FULL - attend first meeting to try to add)

Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music - 12:30-2:15 on TTh in A91. Current enrollment is 28/30. (only 2 spaces remain)

Final Exams Week Information

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:14:39 GMT

The day and time of your final exam is listed in the calendar section of the online green sheet for your class. (It should also be listed in your notes since we've reviewed this in class. If you scroll down you can probably find the listing here as well.
Final exam sessions in electronic music classes are devoted to playing back final projects. It is critical that you attend and arrive on time - if you are not there to play your project I cannot give you a grade for this final.
If you want to retain any of your files you should take copies with you an a memory stick or writable CD/DVD or in another form at the end of your final exam session. The files may remain on your computer for a bit longer but they will almost certainly be deleted for the winter term. (An exception may be for current Music 51 students who enroll in Music 8 next term.)
We'll take a few minutes at the start of exam sessions to complete the bounce of your project.

Lab Time This Week

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:22:43 GMT

For those still looking additional lab time to finish work on final projects there is some time remaining:

Today - Monday, December 7

The classroom will likely be available for open lab between 10:30 and 12:20.
You may use any available workstation during my 12:30-2:10 class.

Tomorrow - Tuesday, December 8

It is my plan to open the room for last-minute final project work between about 11:30 and 1:30.

Quick Winter Term Enrollment Update

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:23:41 GMT

As I have mentioned in classes, it is likely that many students will enroll earlier than usual this quarter and that many classes will likely fill much sooner - many before the start of the term and some WAY before. With that in mind, a quick update on Electronic Music classes as of Friday morning, December 4:

Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music - This course introduces students to the use of electronic music software and hardware used to create/compose music. It is open to all students, though some musical background is certainly helpful. I teach two sections:

10:30-2:15 on MW in room A91. Current enrollment is 30/30 (class full)
10:30-2:15 on Friday-only in room A91. Current enrollment is 19/30*.

Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music - This course is next in the series following Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music and is intended for students who have completed that course or who may have equivalent experience. I teach one section:

12:30-2:15 on TTh in A91. Current enrollment is 20/30.

These enrollment figures are much higher than what we normally see this far before the start of the term. It would not surprise me to see all three electronic music classes fill and close to additional enrollment well before the start of the winter term.

This is the earliest I have ever seen a section of Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music fill and close. Now that the MW section is full, I expect that the rate of registration for the Friday class will accelerate - so if you plan to take Music 51 in the winter term SIGN UP NOW!

Overview of Remaining Schedule

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:01:28 GMT

This is week 11, the final week or regular classes, and we are very quickly approaching the end of the fall term with final exam sessions scheduled for next week. Here are some highlights of the remaining schedule:

MW Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class:

Monday 11/30: Work day on final project and electronic music history presentation.
Wednesday 12/2: Work day on final project and quiz 3 due at start of period.
Monday 12/7: Last regular class meeting. Test 2. Work time on final project.
Friday 12/11: Scheduled final exam session for project playback 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Friday-only Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class:

Friday 12/4: Work time on final project. Quiz 3 due at start of period. Test 2 at end of period. THIS WILL BE A BUSY DAY!
Wednesday 12/9: Scheduled final exam session at 9:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

TTh Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class:

Tuesday, 12/1: More class presentations. Work time on final project.
Thursday, 12/3: More class presentations. Work time on final project.
Wednesday 12/9: Scheduled final exam session at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Important Things to Consider as You Register for Winter Classes

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:59:36 GMT

Since winter quarter registration is starting for some students and will soon take place for everyone, it seems like a good time to post a few important announcements and reminders regarding the upcoming term.

Full information about college admissions and class registration is available from the De Anza College web site. If you plan to register for classes you should check now for important deadlines, policies, class lists, and other important information.
De Anza College, like all colleges in California, is contending with very difficult and challenging budget reductions this year. Those of you who signed up for fall classes already know about over-crowded and full classes, canceled classes, and overall reductions in course sections. With this in mind, there are some strategies you might consider:

Sign up for all of your classes as soon as possible. This will help protect you from two risks: the class you want may be full if you wait too long or, ironically, the class could be canceled if you and other students don't sign up. (The college will begin canceling some low-enrolled courses as early as mid-December.)
If you need a 12-unit schedule to maintain your full-time status, consider signing up for at least one more course than the minimum you need. That way you won't fall below 12 units if the college cancels one of your classes late in the registration cycle. (If this doesn't happen you could choose to stay in all of the classes or you could drop one later.)
If you think you "might decide to take a class" don't wait to sign up. If you wait too long the class may well be full or canceled. Better to sign up for the "maybe" class to avoid losing that option completely.
Stay on top of your registration status and fees. If you don't pay fees you might find that you are removed from classes that you registered for. By the time you discover this and fix the problem the class may have no room left. Moral of the story: Take care of fees by or before deadlines.

I hope to see many of you from this quarter's Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music in the winter quarter Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class. Not only does Music 8 allow you to continue to work with our hardware and software, but it expands and adds to your knowledge developed in the Intro class. We'll integrate the Logic application with Reason using Rewire, and we'll focus on designing and creating your own sounds using a variety of synthesis methods and samplers.

Need More Lab Time?

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:44:01 GMT

As the due dates for final project approach, many of you may be looking for additional lab time to finish your project. There are a number of time available outside of your regular class meeting times:

You may come in during any of my electronic music classes. These times/days include:

MTWTh 12:30-2:10
Friday 10:30-1:50

There are two "official" open labs each week:

Tuesday 11:30-12:30
Thursday 11:30-12:20

The lab is frequently open at some other times before our midday class sessions:

MW 10:30-11:20
TTh 10:30-12:20

The lab will not be open during the Thanksgiving break this Thursday and Friday. The last day of open lab will be on Monday of finals week. While the lab may be open for a few hours during finals, I cannot guarantee this and I do not yet know what days and hours may be available. The regular class times will likely NOT be available after the Monday of finals week.

Fall 2009 Intermediate Electronic Music Presentation Schedule

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:04:18 GMT

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)

Anthony J. - EM in live performances (done)
Kevin W. - hardware v. software (done)
Andre M-A. - Music Therapy (done)
Richard P. - (Topic approval pending) (absent)

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Jasso: Recording Engineer George Massenburg (absent)
Peck: MIDI control surfaces (done)
Avila: Chiptures, LSDj Gameboy music sequencer (done)
Murcia: DJ Premiere (need more info) (absent)

Thursday, Dec. 3

Fernandez: Topic needs revision or explanation (Absent)
Rojas: Careers in music for video games (done)
Beggs: Comparing Logic and Protools for beat matching a loop (done)
Soriano: Autotune (done)
Lin: Film Music of Hans Zimmer "Dark Knight" - (done)
Dollahon: Industrial Music - Aggrotech (done - 6)

Quiz FOUR assigned for Friday-only Intro class

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:26:46 GMT

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.

Need Extra Lab Time?

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:07:36 GMT

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

Important Schedule News for the Friday-only Class

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:41:17 GMT

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.