Hardware Used In This Unit:
Software Used In This Unit:
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
As a compliment to our other creative units and as a preparation for our time-based media units like film and animation, we will also study music production and sound production. Since every student has a different level of interest and background in music as an artform, our unit will allow students to explore audio creation at the level they choose with their unique styles and goals in mind. All students should expect to better understand what goes into professionally recorded audio, various music and sound production processes with film and other interactive media connections in mind.
We will explore the ways technology can assist the audio production process through hardware and software editing, especially in terms of improving audio recordings for film or music applications. The music elements of the unit will explore MIDI musical tools through use of DAWs, VSTs, and plugins that emulate digital instruments and effects.
This unit will not assess students on their ability to make music but instead on their overall understanding of sound and ways to fine-tune it. However, with an open mind, students who might have never tried out music will find new talents within themselves and we will have lots of fun exploring!
CTE Concepts- Essential Understandings for this Unit:
Unit 3 EU I. Introduction to time-based media through time-line based editing of audio samples.
Unit 3 EU II. Understanding of basic musical song structure, patterns, and musical elements for musical scoring and audio engineering.
Unit 3 EU III. Use of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and audio editing software for creation and generation of sound.
Unit 3 EU IV. Understanding and use of MIDI systems including MIDI keyboards, MIDI sequencers, and how MIDI can re-create audio recording processes.
Unit 3 EU V. Identification, use, and manipulation of audio samples, loops, and recordings for music and sound design purposes.
Unit 3 EU VI. Mastery of the result and purpose for audio effects including but not limited to delay, reverb, equalization, compression, distortion, and filters.
Unit 3 EU VII. Familiarity with various microphones including Dynamic and Condenser microphones and audio recording devices such as digital recorders and USB Sound cards.
Unit 3 EU VIII. Identification and comparison of key audio hardware including microphones, headphones, monitors, stands, and cables.
Unit 3 EU IX. Professional practices in recording including minimizing noise, external sounds, clipping, and harsh frequencies.