BTEC Music Tech Award - Demo 1

Logic Pro

Introducing Music Sequencing

Skills Focus: Inputting and editing notes

Task 1: Clash Demo

Create a short demo/cover of 'Clash' (Dave Ft. Stormzy) in Logic to show you have tried using music sequencing software.

Use the task list and resources below to help you.

STEP 1: Bassline

Add a new track (row).

Record or input the baseline notes (D octave, for 4 beats). Make sure you have edited the timing of these notes.

Notes needed:

(TOP TIP: you can use the MIDI keyboard, or pencil tool but be careful where the notes should start and end, and which row they are on!).

STEP 2: Main Riff (pt.1)

Add another new track (row) - use the '+' button.

Record or input the first half the piano riff.

Edit the notes and timing if needed.

Notes needed:

A#3 A3 - A#3- A3 G3 - A3 - G3

D3 G3 F3 - G3 - F3 E3 - F3 - E3

(TOP TIP: look how many 'blocks' each note is on the image to the left, its start position and it's end position).

STEP 3: Main Riff (pt. 2)

Record or input the second half of the piano riff - this should be on the same layer as step 2.

Notes needed:

A#3 A3 - A#3 - A3 D4 - A#3 - A3

G3 F3 - G3 - F3 A#3 - G3 - F3

(TOP TIP: you may find copying and pasting the first half will speed up the process, then edit the last few sets of notes).

STEP 4: Changing Instrument Sounds

Select the sound/instrument you want each layer to sound like. You need to use the 'library' to do this, and filter by 'patch category'.

STEP 5: Loops & Samples (get creative!)

Now you need to develop your track.

Choose some loops and samples from the library and begin to structure your track, creating your own arrangement.

Try things out! Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't but take a risk!

You might want to start with some sort of beat/rhythm section...

(TOP TIP: in the 'loop browser', those shown in green are made of MIDI data, meaning you can edit them, those in blue are audio samples, meaning you can't edit them as much.)

What genre are you trying to create?

STEP 6: Adding Effects (FX)

To make your track some more polished, you need to add some effects.

Use the mixer button at the top left to open the mixer at the bottom of your screen.

Now you can change the EQ, add some reverb and/or echo.

As before, experiment and be creative but listen carefully to what you're doing

(TOP TIP: don't get carried away with adding too many effects - sometimes "less is more")

STEP 6.2: Composing your own parts

Pushing your creativity! Now you have the basics of a track down, you can get more creative and make it your own.

Key: Dm (D minor)

Using the notes on the left, see if you can compose your own riff or creative bass line to add to your track.

- I suggest starting and ending on D

- Keep it to a 2 or 4 bar phrase.

(TOP TIP: Experiment with the notes to get ideas - the order, the rhythm, the pitch, then you can add effects/change the instrument)

Stuck for ideas? Here's a simple example...

Clash Demo Example.mov

Pushing your creativity! Now you have the basics of a track down, you can get more creative and make it your own.

Key: Dm (D minor)

Using the notes on the left, see if you can compose your own riff or creative bass line to add to your track.

- I suggest starting and ending on D

- Keep it to a 2 or 4 bar phrase.

(TOP TIP: Experiment with the notes to get ideas - the order, the rhythm, the pitch, then you can add effects/change the instrument)

STEP 7: Mastering & Bounce Down

Now your final step is to Master your track.

You need to listen carefully to all the changes you've made, the balance of the parts and make sure it sounds professional.

Once you're happy, it's time to 'bounce down' your track - aka. convert it into an MP3.

(TOP TIP: save your MP3 in your My Apple Cart Folder so it's easy to find and backed up)

Writing up what you did...

Example write up...

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