Embedded Files
Terms to Know:
Terms to Know:
MP3 file:
MP3 stands for MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) Audio Layer-3. "MP3" is the abbreviation. The MPEG is an international group that figures out electronic coding standards. mp3 files were originally the audio layer (layer 3) of a video file. The video was layers 1 and 2.
An MP3 file can compress music so that it's easier to work with and store, while still mostly retaining the quality of the sound. (Most people cannot tell the difference between an mp3 file and a higher-quality file.)
MPEG 4 Audio (.M4A file):
M4A is a file extension for an audio file encoded with advanced audio coding (AAC) which is a lossy compression -- in other words, some of the file quality is lost during compression. M4A was generally intended as the successor to MP3. M4A stands for MPEG 4 Audio.
WAVEFORM audio (.WAV file):
A WAV is a full, uncompressed, large file. The sound is full quality and precise.
Problem is, it's hard to share WAV files because they are so big.
WINDOWS MEDIA AUDIO (.WMA file):
Windows Media Audio files are created by Windows Media Player.
.WMA files are high quality audio files, but they typically are only playable by Windows Media Player.
AUDIO INTERCHANGE FILE FORMAT (.AIFF file):
AIFF was developed by Apple , but is based on Electronic Arts' IFF (Interchange File Format).
As you might guess, it works best on iOS and MacOS devices. Most music players on Android can also handle AIFF files.
AIFF is an uncompressed audio file, so it is large, but high-quality.
Objectives:
1. You will discuss and explore methods for getting excerpts of your favorite music into Garageband as an MP3 file.
2. You are going to create a 30-second “clip” of a music track and then learn to fade in and fade out. This is a short activity and should be completed by the end of the period.
Step 1: Select an mp3 to work with.
1. CLICK HERE (or, if the link won't work, ask Mr. Carter for a thumb drive with the files on it).
2. For this project, you need an mp3 file. An mp3 file has ".mp3" at the end. (.m4a and .wav are different types of files; don't choose one of those.) Choose an mp3, then download it to your USB flash drive.
Step 2: Getting the MP3 file into GarageBand and using fade in, fade out
Open a new GarageBand project and name it Audio_last name.
Drag-and-drop the audio file into the TRACK WINDOW of GarageBand. GarageBand will automatically create an audio track. Notice the color!
Use your knowledge of the edit features of GarageBand to select a 30-second (approximately) excerpt from the track.
You will probably need to make some cuts and delete extra audio.
You will need to be able to see the minutes/seconds of the TIMELINE (mins/secs) in the LCD screen. If you can’t see it, toggle the LCD to “time” mode.
4. After you have a 30-second clip, create fade in and fade out using the AUTOMATION area.
- Open the AUTOMATION area for the track that contains your audio. Do this by clicking on the small triangle near the track name.
- Click “breakpoints” along the automation line to create a fade in to the beginning and a fade out at the end of the excerpt.
5. Finally, double check your work, using this rubric as a guide:
Your sound file is around 30 seconds in length. (5 points)
You faded in at the beginning and faded out at the end. (5 points)
Your total clip makes some artistic sense and is not just random. (5 points)
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 15
5. Export as an mp3 file ("Share to Disk") and take a screenshot of your completed work. (Screenshot: Command-Shift-4, then click and drag; screenshot will save to the desktop automatically) and turn in both files on Google Classroom.
Thanks to the Music Tech folks at Brandywine Heights High School for the above project idea and information. http://bhmusichome.wikispaces.com/
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