Setup for project
1.) Click on the Windows Icon ("start button") at bottom left of the desktop, Select "ALL APPS", Select MixCraft 7.
2.) On the Startup Screen "New Project Settings" Set Instrument Tracks to "3" and Audio Tracks to "0"
3.) Make sure your Snap Setting is set to "1/8 notes"
4.) Change the Mode to "BEATS"
5) Performance Panel is unselected (no check in box)
6.) Click OK
7.) At the top of the page select "FILE", then select "Preferences". When the screen appears, change your "sound Device" Driver from "WAVE" to "ASIO". Then click "OK"
8.) At the top of the page select "MIX", then select "Metronome and Count in Settings"
a) In the Pop up box, Make sure the "Recording" box has a check in it.
b) Also check the box next to "Record Count in Measures" and change it from "2" to "1". This will give you 4 beats free (1 measure) to get ready to play. Then close this pop up.
9.) In the green box in the middle, click on the 120 BPM (beats per minute). Change it from 120 to either 90 or 100. This will slow down the tempo (speed) of the piece and make it easier to play
Step 1: PERCUSSION – Track 1 (4 percussion beats per measure)
1.) On Track 1 click on the piano icon (this allows you to change the instrument).
2.) Once the pop-up window appears, please click on any of the "Percussion" category on the left side and the choose a percussion instrument sound on the right side that you like. Once you have your percussion instrument chosen, simply close the pop up window by clicking on the "X" at the top right and it will save.
3.) Click the "ARM" button in track 1
4.) Click the red circle record button in the middle of the page and record 1 drum beat every beat with 4 beats per measure for 12 measures (48 beats total). Play any note of the keyboard for your drum beat. Every time you hear the metronome sound, you should be playing a note on the piano keyboard. After you play 48 in a row you will be done your 12 measures.
5.) After you have recorded you percussion, click on the "SOUND" tab at the bottom of the page.
6.) Towards the top of this window please select the word "SCORE"
7.) In the gray bar above the notes, make sure the "Snap" is set to "Snap to 1/8" and not "Snap off"
8.) Also in the gray bar, select the "Tidy Notes" and make it set to "Tidy Notes: 1/8"
9.) Your notes should be in a NOTE, REST, NOTE, REST, NOTE, REST, Etc... pattern.
A) If you have some notes that are wrong, press the “Eraser” icon and delete the entire measure that is wrong. You should then re-record the incorrect measure(s).
10.) If you recorded more than once, you must combine the clips into a single clip.
A) Highlight the parts you recorded and press "Ctrl-W". This merges the clips into 1 clip so you can see it in the notation at the bottom of the page.
Step 2: BASS LINE – Track 2
1.) Dis-Arm Track one by un-clicking "ARM" on track 1. Click the "MUTE" button also.
2.) Click the "ARM" button on track 2
3.) On Track 2 click on the piano icon (this allows you to change the instrument).
4.) Once the pop-up window appears, please click on any of the "Bass" choices on the left side and then choose a bass instrument sound on the right side.
5.) Click the red circle record button in the middle of the page and record the bass line written below. Use the keys below middle C (on the left side of the piano) for the bass line
(The following in red is exactly what you play for your bass line)
CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC FFFF FFFF CCCC CCCC GGGG FFFF CCCC CCCC
6.) The bass notes should be playing exactly on the beat and show NOTE,REST,NOTE,Etc...
7.) You may check you work again by click on the "Sound" tab at the bottom of the page and making sure your notes are on the beat.
Step 3: MELODY- Track 3 (CREATIVE MELODY) does NOT have to be on the beat
1.) Dis-Arm Track on by un-clicking "ARM" on track 2. Click on the "MUTE" button also.
2.) Click the "ARM" button on track 3
3.) On Track 3 click on the piano icon (this allows you to change the instrument).
4.) Once the pop-up window appears, please click on any of the instrument choices on the left side and then choose a specific instrument sound on the right side.
5.) Click the red circle record button in the middle of the page and record a melody using the following (C Eb F F# G Bb). MIX UP THE NOTES & RHYTHM TO BE CREATIVE! Your melody can be any rhythm you want as long as you use ONLY the correct blues scale notes: C Eb F F# G Bb. You must use at least 4 out of the 6 notes. They are listed on the wall of the piano keyboard in the blue letters.
6.) These notes DO NOT have to be on the beat.
DO NOT MIX DOWN TO AN mp3 FILE!!!