7th Grade
MIDI Pad Project
We will be learning how to use the MIDI pads on our MIDI keyboard in order to create an EDM/House style song. Be creative and have fun!
MixCraft Setup Screen Directions
Set Audio Tracks to "6", Instrument Tracks to "0", Snap Setting on "1/8 notes", Mode to "Time", Tempo between 100 and 120, and check the box for the "Performance Panel".
Once you find a sound loop you like, add them to each 6 Sets separately. For example, Audio Track 1 should have a sound in Set 1, Audio Track 2 should have a sound in Set 2, and so on.
Choosing and setting each sample into the set boxes
Choose any of the library sounds that you think will create a quality EDM/House style song. Simply drag it up into the Set Box. (To add a selection from the library loop to a Performance Set, simply click and drag the loop to a Set box.)
The first 2 tracks should be percussion and the next 4 should be melodic (having different pitches). We will be using loops from the MixCraft library like we did for the ringtones.
When adding loops, add them to each 6 Sets separately. Audio Track 1 should have a sound in Set 1, Audio Track 2 should have a sound in Set 2, and so on.
Changing each set to be "ONE SHOT" and play only one time (not looping)
To make any loop just play once and not play repeatedly (retrigger), right click on the sound in the Performance Set, select Trigger Mode and One Shot so that it only plays once. (Right click on the set, choose "Trigger Mode" if only want it to play once select "ONE SHOT")
MIDI Programming/Learning "MIDI LEARN" onto the piano pads
MIDI pads may be programmed by clicking the "MIDI" learn button just above the Performance Set window (next to the magnifying glass), this will highlight all of the Set boxes.
Once the Set boxes are highlighted blue, click on a box with sound you inserted (it will turn dark blue) and then press the pad on your keyboard you would like to program it to.
Click on "MIDI" learn button again to turn off the learning process.
Now you can tap that MIDI pad and the sound should play in MixCraft. Program your MIDI pads in a way that you will remember for performance.
Performance / Recording Instructions
Practice your song before recording.
Must be at least 40 seconds long.
When you are satisfied with your song, it is time to record it. To record, select the "ARM" button at the top of the Performance Set (above SET 2) so MixCraft knows what to record. Once your Performance Set is armed, click the red circular record button and play your song!
Saving Your Work
Save it as a normal MIXCRAFT project by clicking on File, Save, and saving it to your piano folder. This allows you to OPEN PROJECT again to continue to edit it.
When you are completely satisfied with your project, you will MIX DOWN TO and MP3 file, by clicking File, Mix Down To, MP3 and save to your piano folder.