V-Cert Music Technology

BRIEF

The Year 9 cohort are about to use Cubase for the first time. They have been composing and performing Music and will now look to record their compositions and performances to be played the year 6 open evening as a platform to display their talents. They will need to know what Cubase is and how to use it effectively to gain a good clear recording that represents their musical intentions.Create a report with a final video to ensure all year 9 pupils fully understand how to set up a project ready for composing / performing.

The learner will: 1 Be able to set up a digital audio workstation The learner can: 1.1 Select and launch appropriate sequencing software 1.2 Connect peripheral MIDI hardware to a computer

using appropriate interfaces 1.3 Connect audio sources to a computer using

appropriate interfaces 1.4 Configure software preferences to correctly route

MIDI inputs and outputs 1.5 Configure software preferences to correctly route

audio inputs and outputs

Unit 01 - Set up and operate a digital audio workstation

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

1.1 Select and launch appropriate sequencing software.

Pass - Candidates select and launch appropriate sequencing software.

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in the selection and launching of appropriate sequencing software.

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate originality and fluency in the selection and launching of appropriate sequencing software.

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

Distinction – Can you explain the strengths and Weaknesses of a specific DAW?

Merit – Can you describe a DAW?

Pass – Can you list three DAW’s?

Task 1 – complete slide 3Tip - Use the soundonsound.com website and Mr Williams to gain further understanding.Task 2 – Using interactive whiteboard class demonstrate how to set up Cubase project.Task 3 – Complete slide 4

MIDI Hardware

1.2 Connect peripheral MIDI hardware to a computer using appropriate interfaces.

Pass - Candidates can connect peripheral MIDI hardware to a computer using appropriate interfaces.

Merit - No Merit for this AC

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

MIDI What is this equipment and

what does it do?

MIDI What is this equipment and

what does it do?

Computer

Keyboard

Speakers MIDI

CableDrum Pad

Audio Interfac

e

MIDI Distinction –

What are the benefits of MIDI?

Merit – What instruments use MIDI?

Pass – What is MIDI?

Researc

h Task

MIDI

Practical Task

Work out how to connect your MIDI Keyboard to the computer through and Audio Interface.

You will needA Keyboard2 USB leads

An Audio Interface

Task – Complete slide 5 to sow your understanding

Audio Source

1.3 Connect audio sources to a computer using appropriate interfaces

Pass - Candidates can connect audio sources to a computer using appropriate interfaces.

Merit - No Merit for this AC

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

Audio

What is the difference between

audio equipment and MIDI

equipment?

MIDI

What is the difference between

audio equipment and MIDI

equipment?

Audio

Computer

Microphone

Speakers

Guitar

XLR Cable

Audio Interfac

e

Jack Cable

Audio

Distinction – Can you evaluate the differences between audio and MIDI?

Merit – Can you explain what audio is?

Pass – Can you list a selection of audio sources?

Audio

Practical Task

Work out how to connect a microphone and an electric guitar

to the computer through and Audio

Interface.

You will need• A Microphone• A Guitar

• 1 USB Lead• 1 XLR Lead• 1 Jack Cable

• An Audio InterfaceTask - Complete Slide 6

MIDI inputs and outputs

1.4 Configure software preferences to correctly route MIDI inputs and outputs

Pass - Candidates configure software preferences to correctly route MIDI inputs and outputs.

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in configuring software preferences in the routing of particular MIDI inputs and outputs.

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

MIDI inputs and outputs Demonstration

Show students how to set up the MIDI Preferences in Cubase and get them to record in the smoke on the water riff on the keyboard.

D F G, D F G# G, D F G, F D

Task – Complete slide 1.4Tip – Teacher demonstrate

Audio inputs and outputs

1.5 Configure software preferences to correctly route audio inputs and outputs

Pass - Candidates configure software preferences to correctly route audio inputs and outputs.

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in configuring software preferences in the routing of particular audio inputs and outputs.

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

Audio inputs and outputs Demonstration

Show students how to set up the audio interface to record in the smoke on the water guitar riff in with your project.

TASK: Using screenshots, arrows and labels – Connect the audio In and Outs correctly.TIP: Include The mono / stereo bus selection part within adding audio tracks?

Presentation Check List

Title page -Unit 01 – ‘Set up and operate a digital audio workstation’

1.1 DAW Pass – Can you list three DAW’s? Merit – Can you describe a DAW? Distinction – Can you explain the strengths and Weaknesses of a

specific DAW?

Screenshots of Opening Cubase to get to the arrange window.

1.2 MIDI Pass – What is MIDI? Merit – What instruments use MIDI? Distinction – What are the benefits of MIDI?

MIDI Diagram of components

Presentation Check List

1.3 Audio Pass – Can you list a selection of audio sources? Merit – Can you explain what audio is? Distinction – Can you evaluate the differences between audio and

MIDI?

Audio Diagram of components

1.4 MIDI Inputs and Outputs Screen shots – How to connect a MIDI Device

1.5 Audio Inputs and Outputs Screenshots – How to connect an audio device

The learner will: 2 Be able to operate a digital audio workstationThe learner can: 2.1 Create new sequencing projects 2.2 Add and delete sequencer tracks 2.3 Describe the key differences between audio, software

instrument and MIDI tracks 2.4 Load pre-recorded audio onto audio tracks 2.5 Record new audio onto audio tracks from external sources 2.6 Select instruments/voices for software instrument and

MIDI tracks 2.7 Record MIDI information to software instrument and MIDI

tracks using a MIDI controller

Unit 01 - Set up and operate a digital audio workstation

Sequencing Project

2.1 Create new sequencing projects.

Pass - Candidates create new sequencing projects.

Merit - Candidates justify the methods used to create new sequencing projects.

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in creating new sequencing projects based on a comparative exploration of alternatives.

Sequencing Project

Pass – Screenshots and explanation of a recording project

Merit – Screenshots and explanation of 2 types of project

Distinction – Screenshots and explanation of 3 types of project

TASK: Complete slide 3 for 2.1Using screenshots, arrows and labels - Show me how load Cubase and how to create a new project.

Sequencing Tracks

2.2 Add and delete sequencer tracks

Pass - Candidates can add and delete sequencer tracks

Merit - Candidates justify their selection of the type and features of the tracks they create

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their selection based on a comparative investigation of alternatives

Operate a digital audio workstation

2.2 Add and delete sequencer tracks

Demonstration : Class Discuss / Think collaboratively to complete 2.2

TASK: Using screenshots, arrows and labels – Add a MIDI track

TASK: Using screenshots, arrows and labels – Add an Instrument track

TASK: Using screenshots, arrows and labels – Add an Instrument track

TASK: Using screenshots, arrows and labels – Show me how to delete a track

Audio, Software Instruments and MIDI

2.3 Describe the key differences between audio, software instrument and MIDI tracks.

Pass - Candidates describe the key differences between audio, software instrument and MIDI tracks.

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding of the relevance in differences between audio, software instrument and MIDI tracks.

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC.

Task – research the answers

Audio: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...................................................................................................Instrument track: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...................................................................................................MIDI: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...................................................................................................

Operate a digital audio workstation2.3 Describe the key differences between audio, software instrument and MIDI tracks

Pre-recorded Audio

2.4 Load pre-recorded audio onto audio tracks.

Pass - Candidates load pre-recorded audio onto audio tracks.

Merit - No Merit for this AC

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC.

Pre-recorded Audio

Task –As a class discuss how to import audio into tracks.

Recording audio

2.5 Record new audio onto audio tracks from external sources

Pass - Candidates record new audio onto audio tracks from external sources

Merit - Candidates record new audio using appropriate sources and audio recording parameters for a chosen scenario.

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in recording new audio using appropriate sources and parameters with originality and fluency, for a range of scenarios

Recording Audio Pass – Explain the

signal route that a guitar would take.

Merit – Explain the route a guitar and microphone would take

Distinction – Explain what the dials do and how to get a good audio recording.

Recording Audio Pass – Explanation

and screenshots of an audio recording

Merit – Record three different audio clips with different gain.

Distinction – Explain what audio recording is optimal and why this is

Instruments/Voices

2.6 Select instruments/voices for software instrument and MIDI tracks

Pass - Candidates select instruments/voices for software instrument and MIDI tracks.

Merit - Candidates justify their selection of instruments/voices and MIDI tracks for a chosen scenario.

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their selection of instruments/voices and MIDI tracks for a range of scenarios

Candidates use reflection and insight in their selections which add value to the project

Instruments/Voices

2.6 Select instruments/voices for software instrument and MIDI tracks

Pass – Show how to change the sound on the prologue synth

Merit – Show how to change the sound on prologue and Halion

Distinction – Explain what the differences are between both synths and the selection of sounds

Task – Complete 2.6

Recording MIDI

2.7 Record MIDI information to software instrument and MIDI tracks using a MIDI controller.

Pass - Candidates record MIDI information to software instrument and MIDI tracks using a MIDI controller.

Merit - No Merit for this AC.

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC.

Recording MIDI

Class Demonstrati

on

Show students how to draw notes into Cubase on the piano

roll.

Recording MIDI

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bass Drum * *Snare * *

Hi-Hat * * * * * * * *

Draw this

beat into

Cubase

Recording MIDI

E E G E D C B

Practical Task

These are the notes for the seven nation army riff. Practice the riff then record it into Cubase in time with your drum beat.

Video

TASK: On either staff computer capture a live video of the process you have just created.