EDI

Construction of the Instrument

Setup

Computer and software

Control surface

Overview

EDI (Electronic Digital Instrument) consists of three parts:

A computer
A music program (e.g., Ableton Live)
A control surface (e.g., a grid controller such as Ableton Push or a MIDI keyboard)

Computer

Primary function: To serve as a central hub for connecting all parts and syncing all components.

Students and teachers at the respective Upper Secondary Schools use MacBooks; therefore, these guidelines will be based on MacBooks in descriptions and examples. The software and control surfaces (excluding Logic Pro) are also compatible with PC computers.

Music Program

Primary function: To create/play sound to perform with or to.

Both Upper Secondary Schools have primarily chosen to use Ableton Live. Teaching in certain aspects may also occur in other programs, such as FL Studio and Logic Pro. In live performances, Ableton Live is almost exclusively used. In the music programs, the student is taught, for example:

Navigation in the computer's folder structure, the programs, their functions, and workflows
Plugins & synthesizers (both “stock” plugins and third-party plugins are used)
Sound design
Arrangement and production
Music technology for ensemble play

Control Surface

Primary function: To perform music on/control the music software.

The choice of control unit can vary. This allows the EDI musician to adapt the choice of control surface based on needs or application. Examples of applications include:

To play/perform music
To record or play back audio/MIDI clips/backing tracks
To trigger or stop clips/backing tracks
To modify sound design

The function of the sound being played, as well as personal preferences, determine the choice of control surface. The control unit on the EDI is thus different from traditional instruments . The layout of the playing surface can vary. Examples of control surfaces are:

Ableton Push (a pad surface with 64 pads and controls)
Launchpad (a pad surface with 64 pads)
MIDI keyboard (of various types and sizes)
Drum pad (for finger playing or playing with drumsticks)

Signal Flow

MIDI Information such as pitch, duration, volume, etc. is transmitted via playing keys, pads, and knobs and sliders on selected MIDI- controller (grid controller, MIDI keyboard, or similar). Through a USB cable or MIDI cable between the MIDI controller and computer, MIDI information is sent to and from the program. By creating a MIDI channel in the program, the program can receive the MIDI information generated. A virtual instrument placed on the MIDI channel converst the MIDI information into sound. The sound is sent to an audio output on the computer or audio interface , then to a mixer, headphones, or speakers.

Example of an EDI Setup

In the image on the right, the EDI setup consists of: a computer, Ableton Live and an Ableton Push. The program uses the computer's internal sound card and sends the sound from the computer's headphone output to the mixer and speakers. To hear the sound from the computer, the channels used on the mixer must be activated, and the PA system must be appropriately connected and activated. Furthermore, according to the image, numbered steps need to be reviewed to ensure good conditions for EDI music-making:

Connect the audio cable to the computer (in this example, a 3.5mm stereo cable is used to send the sound from the computer to the mixer in stereo)
In the program, go to "Live" --> "Preferences" and then "Audio". In this menu, specify where the program receives sound and where it sends it. In the Audio menu: also set "Buffer Size" to 128 or 256 samples to achieve playable latency.
Power cable connected to the computer.
USB cable between the computer and control surface.Depending on the model of the computer and control surface used, a dongle may be needed.
USB cable connected to the control surface.
Possibly a power cable connected to the control surface.
Select a sound to play with. Drag it to a MIDI channel. Select the channel and ensure that the "Record arm" button is pressed on the channel (it will be lit red).

Method Exercise

Connect all parts such as the computer and selected control surfaces and choose a sound to play with.
Play together with multiple computers, using Ableton Link.
Let the program affect external analog signals, such as a connected microphone, or signals from other musicians in the ensemble.
Let the program listen to and adapt its tempo to an external sound source (e.g., audio with quarter-note ryth from a bass drum using the Ableton Follow function).

Observations

Students learn to use their instrument's construction to creatively create, shape, process, design, and play sounds of widely differing character.
Depending on the demands of a musical situation, students make active choices regarding how they handle and utilize the various parts of their instrument's construction.
Not all parts of the instrument are always used simultaneously (e.f., when focusing on something specific).
Students use advanced features in the software (such as "keymapping", "MIDI mapping" and Ableton Link).
The computer is used to read sheet music.
The instrument is used to process and correct, for example, backing tracks and sounds continuously during rehearsals and lessons.
Students use both stock plugins and third-party plugins .

Key Questions

How do we optimize the instrument for a given task?
Which control unit do we focus on? Why?
Which software do we choose to use?

Checklist for the Instrument's Setup

To practically work and make music with EDI, you should confidently be able to answer "yes" to the following questions:

Have I chosen a computer, software, and control surface and installed and connected everything according to the manufacturers' instructions?
Have I connected the computer to an audio interface, headphones or PA system and ensured that the speakers and possibly the mixer are correctly connected and activated and gone through all the necessary steps to activate the computer for making music?

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