TORRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Pride of Torrington  

If you need this website translated 

In Music Technology I you will be required to work independently and have time management skills with each project.

Topics include but not limited to:

Basics of a Sound System, Audio Effects, MIDI Sequencing, Audio Sequencing
Composing, Arranging , Podcasting, Remixing, Film Scoring & Live Performance using Technology,
 

SAMPLING
 

What Is Music Sampling? Music sampling is the process by which a musician or record producer uses a portion of an existing song in a brand new recording, looping it and layering it with new music in a new context.

REMIXING! 

What is Remixing? 

A remix is a song that has been edited to sound different from the original version.
Changing the pitch of the singers' voice, changed the tempo and speed and has made the song shorter or longer, 

HISTORY OF REMIXING

In 'Merry-Go-Round', which Herc premiered at a Bronx house party in 1973, are the seeds of the remix's origins. Because of techniques like this, it seems likely that the first ever remix would have been performed live by a DJ, and not made in the studio

SOUNDTRAP BASICS
You will be able to do the following: 

Add tracks
Add Loops 
Create Loop Favorites
Cut Loops
Split Loop Regions
Join Loop Regions 
Add Automation - Pan, Sweep & Volume
 

CONTINUE WORKING ON SOUNDTRAP BASICS
You will be able to do the following: 

Add tracks
Add Loops 
Create Loop Favorites
Cut Loops
Split Loop Regions
Join Loop Regions 
Add Automation - Pan, Sweep & Volume

ASSIGNMENT # 1 - "Your Choice" will be explained this week 

Assignment # 1 "Your Choice" 

You will create a 2:30 (2 minutes & 30 seconds) song in Soundtrap.  This assignment is called "Your Choice" because it is your choice on what style of music you create.  Hip Hop, Rap, Country, Rock,.......its Your Choice! 

Assignment Criteria 
Length of File must be at least 2:30 or longer in length. 
Must include at least 15 tracks
Must show automation - Volume, Pan and/or Sweep. Your choice of which track(s)

Helpful Hints
Keep your song interesting!  Change up the three elements of music - Melody, Harmony, & Rhythm
Keep adding loops to your favorites playlist
Be creative - think outside your musical comfort zone. Try something new....It's OK  
Have someone else listen.   Get their thoughts & suggestions

Due Date - Friday September 24 end of class 
 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

You are going to create your own sample library using 2-3 of your favorite songs. 

Load your 2-3 favorite songs (MP3) into Soundtrap

Using your editing skills (don't worry I'll go over everything again if you need) take samples of your favorite songs

What makes a good sample? 
A sample will be between 1 & 5 seconds long.  Listen to your song numerous times and think about what musical ideas would make a good sample?  They could be anything like: stabs, riffs, vocal hits/chants, bass lines, drum hits, etc. 

How to I make the sample? 
Move the cursor to the beginning of the music you selected to sample
Right Mouse Click on the loop and select SPLIT REGION
Move the cursor to the end of the music you selected to sampole
Right Mouse Click on the loop and select SPLIT REGION 
Now you have a sample.
Questions?  Just let me know

How many samples should I have? 
This will be different for each song. I would say to have between 5-10 samples per song.
If you are stuck I will listen to your song and give you suggestions

What am I doing with the samples when I'm done?
Save them in the Soundtrap file and name is SAMPLES and your initials. 
You will use all your samples in Assignment # 3 Remixing 
 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

You are going to compose a song using your samples from Assignment # 2 (No, not all of them) along with Loops, etc 

ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA
USE THE SAME FILE FROM ASSIGNMENT # 2 - DO NOT CREATE A NEW ONE
Length:  2:30
Tracks: 15 or more
Samples: 5-10
Automation: Show pan, sweep and/or volume.  Your choice on when and which track(s)

HELPFUL HINTS

Keep your song interesting! - Listen to examples of songs with samples! 
Don't get frustrated!  Try things, don't be afraid to try new things....IT'S OK!  
Change up the three elements of music - Melody, Harmony, & Rhythm
Keep adding loops to your favorites playlist
Be creative - think outside your musical comfort zone. Try something new....It's OK  
Have someone else listen.   Get their thoughts & suggestions
 

Podcast # 2 Your Choice 

Start your scripts - Does it have a flow - ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE. 

Record in small segments.  This way if you make a mistake you only have to redo that segment and not the entire podcast

Record Dry - NO EFFECTS.  Add effects after (post)

Start thinking about your Drops, Music Segments, and/or Sound Effects.  

Listen to podcast of the same topic as yours.  

Practice recording on your phone.  Check your levels in Soundtrap AND your phone's settings. 

Wednesday Nov 3 

Where you should be as of today
Scripts:  Word for Word, Outline and/or Bullet Points
Intro/Outro: Scripts and Musical Bed (Music underneath) 

Drops and/or Music Samples 

Recording in Soundtrap: Check levels in your device as well as Soundtrap.  If audio is recorded distorted you will have to re-record

Record in small segments!  This will save you time

Scr

Tuesday November 9, Wednesday November 10 

Podcast Mid Assignment Check
I will be checking each of your podcasts for the following:
1. Intro recorded
2. Parts of the podcast recorded
3. Outro recorded (optional)  
This will be your first grade of Q2
PODCAST #2 DUE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2021

All Choice Board # 2 Assignments are due end of the day Wednesday December 22, 2021.
This will give you 12 class days to complete your Choice Board # 2 assignments. 

Click the WHO SAMPLED link to the right and search the site for YOUR favorite artist.  Were they sampled by other artists?  Did they use samples from other artists?
Listen to remixes and we will talk about how they changed the three elements of music: Melody, Harmony & Rhythm

WHAT IS A SAMPLE LIBRARY 

A sample library is made up of short audio files usually made up of instrument themes.
For example Drums Samples, Keyboard Samples, Orchestral Sample, etcs 

Click the WHO SAMPLED link to the right and search the site for the most popular remixes.  Is your favorite artist listed? 
Listen to remixes and we will talk about how they changed the three elements of music: Melody, Harmony & Rhythm

We will listen to 42 Popular Songs And Their Original Samples

Did the artist use the samples 100% like the original OR did they change the three elements of music in some way?
Is this promoting the sampled artist?  
Is this good for the music industry?
 

Assignment:  Podcast Review - listen to any podcast of your choice.  Answer the questions regarding structure, audio quality, ease of listening. etc 

Assignment:  One Minute Podcast 

Create a one minute podcast (select one) 
Favorite playlist Select 2 of your favorite song to discuss in this quick podcast assignment. 
Tell me why these are your favorite songs.
Tell me about yourself 
Favorite hobby
 

Criteria
Length: One Minute (60 seconds)
Intro -  5-10 seconds - Introduces your podcast to the listener
*Intro must include music. Loops or pre-recorded songs - Search Soundtrap for Songstarters
Body - 40-50 seconds - describe your favorite hobby 

Outro - 5-10 seconds - Recap, Thank the listener, etc. "Thanks for listening, on our next episode.."
*Outro must include music. SAME as Intro. 

Script: (What you will read into Soundtrap).  Write it down! Word for word or Bullet Points

Track One: Your Voice
Track Two: Music for intro/outro

HINTS
Talk Slow
Practice your scripts BEFORE recording
Check your audio levels.  
 

One Minute Podcast Timeline 
Friday Oct 22 - Script Written, Intro/Outro Recorded 

Monday Oct 25 - Script recorded
Tuesday Oct 26 - Review, Mix and complete

Assignment:  Your Choice Podcast - Any topic you wish. 

Length: 2-3 minutes
Intro -  15-20 seconds (approximate)
Body -  2 minutes 30 seconds (or longer if needed) 

Outro - 15-20 seconds (approximate)

Script: (What you will read into Soundtrap).  Write it down! Word for word or Bullet Points

HINTS
Talk Slow
Practice your scripts BEFORE recording
Check your audio levels.  

 

"Music tells you what to feel"
Music Movie (Film Scoring) consists of small segments of music that changes with the movie scene.

Elements of music that produce tension
Elements of music that produce relaxation

Instruments commonly used in Movie Music

How Important Music is to a Movie.