TORRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Pride of Torrington  

If you need this website translated 

This is an introductory course where you will explore many concepts in creating music using technology. 
This class is project based which means you must be able to have time management skills while working on your projects. 

 

You will be using Soundtrap Digital Audio Workstation as your main application for this class. 
You will have your own account and will be able to access Soundtrap on ANY device!   

 

You must use the classroom headphones for this class.  NO Earbuds or Bluetooth headphones  
You can use your school issued laptop OR desktops in the lab. 

 

Google Classroom and this website will be used for all class assignments and materials

 

What you will learn in this class

Sound System Basics
Audio Effects
Soundtrap Digital Audio Workstation
Composing
Arranging

Music Production Basics
Podcasting
Film Scoring
NOTHING IN THIS CLASS IS HARD! 
IT'S JUST DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BEFORE! 

DO YOUR BEST AND TRY!

Este es un curso introductorio en el que explorarás muchos conceptos en la creación de música usando tecnología.

Esta clase está basada en proyectos, lo que significa que debes tener habilidades de administración del tiempo mientras trabajas en tus proyectos.

Utilizarás la estación de trabajo de audio digital Soundtrap como tu aplicación principal para esta clase.

Tendrás tu propia cuenta y podrás acceder a Soundtrap en CUALQUIER dispositivo.

Debes usar los auriculares del aula para esta clase. NO se permiten auriculares ni auriculares Bluetooth.

Puedes usar la computadora portátil o las computadoras de escritorio que te proporcione la escuela en el laboratorio.

Google Classroom y este sitio web se utilizarán para todas las tareas y materiales de la clase.

Lo que aprenderás en esta clase

Conceptos básicos del sistema de sonido
Efectos de audio
Estación de trabajo de audio digital Soundtrap
Composición
Arreglos

Conceptos básicos de producción musical
Podcasting
Bandas sonoras para películas
¡NADA EN ESTA CLASE ES DIFÍCIL! ¡ES SIMPLEMENTE DIFERENTE A LO QUE HAS HECHO ANTES!

¡HAZLO LO MEJOR QUE PUEDAS E INTÉNTALO!

Assignment # 2- Mashup #1 

 

Objective: Students will demonstrate proficiency in beat-matching, key-syncing, and creative arranging by combining two or more existing songs into one cohesive "mashup" track.

 

 

 In the National Core Arts Standards, a Soundtrap mashup can be classified as CREATING

• Standard (Anchor 4): Select, organize, and develop musical ideas for formal design and structure.

 

Soundtrap Skills used in this assignment

1. Audio Manipulation & Editing

• Time-Stretching (BPM Sync)
• Splitting & Trimming
• Pitch Shifting/Transposition
   

2. Mixing & Signal Processing

• Automation
• Equalization (EQ)
• Reverb/Delay Routing

 

 

Mashups have roots in 70s hip-hop and disco sampling, it exploded in the late 1990s and 2000s due to the rise of digital audio software 

 

Using the Soundtrap file in Google Classroom, you are going to create a mashup using the below 

Step One
You must use ONE instrumental track below (Blue track in the Soundtrap file)  

• Another One Bites the Dust" – Queen:
• "Old Town Road" – Lil Nas X:
• "Seven Nation Army" – The White Stripes: 
• "Levitating" – Dua Lipa:
   

You must use ONE vocal (acapella) track below (Red track in the Soundtrap file) 

• "Rolling in the Deep" – Adele:
• "Get Ur Freak On" – Missy Elliott: 
• "Stayin' Alive" – Bee Gees: 
• "Bad Guy" – Billie Eilish:

 

Step 2: Use the "Time Stretch" Tool

If the acapella (vocals) doesn't match the instrumental's speed, use the manual stretch function:

• The Shortcut: Hold the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key while hovering over the end of the audio region.
• The Action: The cursor will turn into a double-headed arrow. Click and drag the edge of the clip to shorten or lengthen it until it aligns with the grid lines. 
  
  Step 3: Align to "Beat One"

Even if the speeds match, the tracks might be "out of phase" (playing at the right speed but starting at the wrong time).

• Identify the Downbeat: Zoom in on the vocal track and find the first major word or "kick" sound.
• Snap to Grid: Ensure "Snap to Grid" is turned on in the Grid Settings.
• Slide the Track: Drag the entire vocal region left or right until that first major beat aligns exactly with Beat 1 of a measure (e.g., Measure 3, Beat 1). 

   

Step 4: Match the Key

If the songs sound "clashing" they are likely in different keys.

• Transpose: Right-click the region, select "Edit," and then "Change Pitch".
• Adjust by Semitones: Shift the vocals up or down in small increments (+1 or -1) until they harmonize with the instrumental. 

   

 

Wednesday, February 4 

Import your favorite mp3 into Soundtrap 

 

Be able to do the following

1. Split into smaller segments (Samples - piece of cake)

2. Split into stems using AI
3. Pitch change from the original 

4. Audio Stretch from the original - faster or slower 

5 Add loops to create a smaller remix - 30 seconds

Wednesday, February 10

You should be able to do the following in Soundtrap

 

 

 

You should be able to the following in Soundtrap

Add Tracks, Add Loops, Cut, Copy, Paste, Split,Transpose, Sampler,Pattern Beatmaker, Play The Synth,  Adding Audio Effects & Automation -Volume, Sweep & Pan, Layering Tracks, and Time Stretch

 

 

Deberías poder hacer lo siguiente en Soundtrap

Agregue pistas, agregue bucles, corte, copie, pegue, divida, transponga, sampler, creador de ritmos de patrones, reproduzca el sintetizador, agregue efectos de audio y automatización: volumen, barrido y panorámica, superposición de pistas y estiramiento de tiempo

You should be able to do the following in Soundtrap

Add Tracks, Add Loops, Cut, Copy, Paste, Split, Transpose, Sampler, Pattern Beatmaker, Play The Synth,  Adding Audio Effects & Automation -Volume, Sweep & Pan, Layering Tracks, and Time Stretch

 

 

Deberías poder hacer lo siguiente en Soundtrap

Agregue pistas, agregue bucles, corte, copie, pegue, divida, transponga, sampler, creador de ritmos de patrones, reproduzca el sintetizador, agregue efectos de audio y automatización: volumen, barrido y panorámica, superposición de pistas y estiramiento de tiempo

 

 

 

Assignment # 3- Mashup #2 - Your Choice  

 

Objective: Students will demonstrate proficiency in beat-matching, key-syncing, and creative arranging by combining two or more existing songs into one cohesive "mashup" track.

 

 

 In the National Core Arts Standards, a Soundtrap mashup can be classified as CREATING

• Standard (Anchor 4): Select, organize, and develop musical ideas for formal design and structure.

 

Soundtrap Skills used in this assignment

1. Audio Manipulation & Editing

• Time-Stretching (BPM Sync)
• Splitting & Trimming
• Pitch Shifting/Transposition
   

2. Mixing & Signal Processing

• Automation
• Equalization (EQ)
• Reverb/Delay Routing

 

 

 

Using the Soundtrap file in Google Classroom, you are going to create a mashup using the below 

Step One
You must use one or more instrumental tracks of your choice
You must use one or more vocal (acapella) tracks of your choice

*You will need to split your selected mp3 files into stems. Send me your mp3 files, and I will split them for you and import them into your Soundtrap file. 

 

Using all the tools in Soundtrap, you are to create a mashup and remix of the files you selected. 

Time Stretch
Pitch Shift
Split Regions
Volume, Pan, and Sweep Automation
*Be creative! Try new things! 
 

 

Assignment # 1 Your Choice
 

Length: 1 Minute or longer - make sure your ruler is set to TIME and not Beats

Tracks: 10 Tracks or more - Sound effects do not count towards track count

Automation: You must show Volume, Pan and Sweep (Yes all 3) in your song. 

Audio Effects: You must use at least one audio effect. Your choice on which one and where

Time Stretch: You must use the Time Stretch function on at least one loop and/or sample

Due Date: Monday, February 23  by 11:59pm in Soundtrap. No exceptions
 
Helpful Hints
Keep your song interesting. Change things up every 4 to 8 beats
Explore different genres of music in Soundtrap
HAVE FUN !!

YOU MUST USE MY FILE BELOW.  IF YOU DO NOT USE MY FILE BELOW, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT

See the file in Google Classroom

#########
En esta tarea, crearás una canción de un minuto en Soundtrap que contenga lo siguiente:
Duración: 1 minuto o más; asegúrate de que tu regla esté configurada en TIEMPO y no en Pulsos

Pistas: 10 pistas o más; los efectos de sonido no cuentan para el recuento de pistas

Automatización: debes mostrar Volumen, Panorámica y Barrido (sí, los 3) en tu canción.

Efectos de audio: debes usar al menos un efecto de audio. Tú eliges cuál y dónde

Estiramiento de tiempo: debes usar la función Estiramiento de tiempo en al menos un bucle y/o muestra

Fecha de entrega: Lunes 23 de febrero a las 23:59 en Soundtrap. Sin excepciones.

Consejos útiles
Mantén tu canción interesante. Cambia las cosas cada 4 a 8 pulsos
Explora diferentes géneros de música en Soundtrap
¡DIVIÉRTETE!

DEBES USAR MI ARCHIVO A CONTINUACIÓN. SI NO LO USAS, NO RECIBIRÁS CRÉDITO POR ESTA TAREA.

Ver el archivo en Google Classroom

Live Remix

You must select TWO of the assignments above.  
Both assignments must be completed by May 29, 2026
Mid Assignment Checks will be a part of your grade for each assignment

Music of
Your Culture

Concert Promotion

Funky
Raider

DJing

Create Your Own

National Core Arts Standards classified with these assignments 

Creating: Music of Your Culture, Concert Promotion, Funky Raider

Performing: DJing, Live Remix, Concert Promotion

Responding: Live Remix, Music of Your Culture
Connecting: Music of Your Culture