Introduction to MIDI Technology MUC 1342 Course Syllabus Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 am 9:50; GL 535 Instructor: David Mendoza dmend001@fiu.edu 954-254-0020 Office Hours: after class or by appointment Course Goals: This course will cover several computer applications related to music notation and audio editing. Basic MIDI concepts will be a central concern, as well as selected audio editing software skills, and website development tools. Each student will be responsible for creating an original web page that is essentially a portfolio of work completed in the class. Course Description: This course meets in person, but assignments must be submitted online, so you need to be perfectly comfortable using a computer, logging on to the Internet in order to complete the assignments. If you are not comfortable using a computer (either Mac or PC), you need to take Intro to Microcomputers. In addition to using various music software programs, we will be using other electronic methods of communication. As times it will be extremely helpful and advantageous to visit the Music Technology Lab in GL 535 in order to use specific programs and controllers. Prerequisite: None. One does not need to be a music major to take the course, but one must be comfortable reading music in both bass and treble clefts. (For those who need to learn to ready music, Fundamental of Music is a good course to take prior to this class.) The FIU Student Handbook: The FIU Student Handbook is an official university document that contains polices, procedures, and other items of importance to FIU students. The handbook is available on line at http://www.fiu.edu/student.htm Music students should also consult the School of Music Handbook which is available at the School of Music home page http://www.fiu.edu/~music Disability Clause: Students with disabilities, as defined by law, have the right to receive needed accommodations if their disabilities make it difficult to perform academic tasks in the usual way or in the allotted time frame. In order to receive accommodation, however, students must register right away with the Disability Resource Center. University Park Campus, GC 190 Voice: 305-348-3532 TTY: 305-348-3852 Fax: 305-348-3850 Email: drcupgl@fiu.edu Required Materials: Book - David Miles Huber, The MIDI Manual 3 rd Ed. Focal Press. Headphones Adaptors both 1/4 and 1/8 inch USB Jump Drive or Portable Hard Drive
Required FREE software: Musescore (music notation) http://musescore.org/en/download itunes (audio conversion) http://apple.com/itunes/ Audacity (digital audio workstation) http://audacity.sourceforge.net MuLab Free v.3.2.14 http://www.mutools.com/mulab-downloads.html Required NOT FREE software: Sibelius http://www.sibelius.com/home/index_flash.html also but might be useful: Real Player (audio playback and conversion) http://www.real.com/realplayer/search/media-player Quicktime (audio playback) http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ Only if you are brave: LilyPond FREE (music notation text based) http://lilypond.org/ This course will rely mostly upon free, widely available, cross-platform software to accomplish the basic goals of this course. One should note, however, that the functionality of some of these programs can be at times limited, and that one should take advantage of the many programs available in the Music Technology Lab to explore the additional feature of more music programs, such as Finale and/or Digital Performer. At times, a visit to the Music Technology Lab will be required. Any student who wishes to complete the assignment using some other notation or audio editor, must first have these particulars approved by the instructor. Everyone should also purchase a pair of headphones. The make and model number, as well as the cost, are left up to the individual. However, you should have both the min-phone 1/8 and 1/4 adaptors. Students should also have a USB stick (jump drive) or external hard drive available in order to back up work. Evaluation and Grading: Reading Quizzes 20% 3 total Individual Projects 20% 5 total Group Project 6 and Presentation 20% Final Website Project 7 and Presentation 20% Final Exam 20% Grading A 90-100 C 70-75 A- 88-89 C- 68-69 B+ 86-87 D+ 66-67 B 80-85 D 60-65 B- 78-79 D- 58-59 C+ 76-77 F 57 & below
Cell Phones and other Electronics Policy: As a courtesy to the students in the class and to the instructor, please make sure to keep all electronics devices silenced during the class. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE CHECKING FACEBOOK WHILE IN CLASS. Assignments: Project 1: Notation I. Transcribing a 4 voice chorale Students will be required to transcribe a work for 4-voice chorale provided to them into a notation program of their choice: MuseScore, Finale, or Sibelius. The assignment will be graded based on its accuracy to the original work. Project 2: Notation II. Composing a work for an ensemble Students will be required to either transcribe an ensemble piece provided to them. Students may use any notation software they wish. The assignment will be graded based on its accuracy and the following: * Students must use TWO transposing instruments (not including string bass) * Students must extract the parts along with the score * Students must include a properly formatted title page Project 3: Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking I. Students will import a MIDI file into a sequencer such as Audacity, Garageband, MULab, or any other sequencer of their choice and recreate/remix their works using VST or AU plug-ins. Basic DSP terms will be learned while working with plug-ins. Finally, they will export their file into a compressed format and emailed. Project 4: Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking II. Students will learn how to work with samples and looping features within Garageband. Their final project will be exported into a compressed format and emailed. Project 5: Group Composition Students will be put into groups of 3-6 and be assigned a composition project that will require them to compose, sample, record, sequence, and mix an original composition using the skills they have learned. They will also present as a group. Project 6: MIDI and HTML Students will learn how to steam MIDI from a website by writing basic HTML code within an HTML editor. They will also design a minimum of 1 full page and learn basic web terminology such as how to decipher basic source code. Project 7: Final Project: Web Design Students will design and create a website to display their projects. Some basic HTML will be covered along with social networking sites, which will be used to create some additional content. Tentative Schedule Week 1 Introduction 1/9 Policies, syllabus, purchase book, install software, and how to setup a basic studio 1/11 How to get around on Mac - right click, how to take a screen shot, basic file structure Homework: Read Chapter 1 What is MIDI? Part I. Notation Software to be learned: MuseScore, Sibelius, and others Week 2 Notation I. 1/16 Notation tutorials Project 1 assigned 1/18 Notation tutorials Homework: Read Chapter 9 Music Printing Programs
Week 3 Notation I. continued 1/23 Notation tutorials 1/25 Notation tutorials Project 1 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox Homework: Read Chapter 2 MIDI 1.0 Week 4 Notation II. 1/30 In class tutorials Project 2 assigned 2/1 In class tutorials Homework: Read Chapter 3 The Hardware Week 5 Notation II. Continued 2/6 In class tutorials 2/8 In class tutorials - Project 2 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox **Quiz 1 chapters 1,2,3,and 9 done in class ** Homework: Read Sound on Sound article on plug-ins Part II. Sequencing and Basic DSP Software to be learned: MUlab, Garageband, Audacity, Midi Swing, VST and AU plug-ins Week 6 Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking I. 2/13 In class tutorials Project 3 assigned 2/15 In class tutorials Homework: Read Chapter 4 Electronic Instruments Week 7 Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking I. continued 2/20 In class tutorials 2/22 In class tutorials Project 3 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox Homework: Read Chapter 5 Sequencing Week 8 Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking II. 2/27 In class tutorials Project 4 assigned 2/29 In class tutorials Homework: Chapter 6 Digital Audio Production Week 9 Sequencing MIDI/Multi-Tracking II. continued 3/5 In class tutorials 3/7 In class tutorials - Project 4 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox **Quiz 2 chapters 4,5,6, and sos article done in class ** Homework: Chapter 7 Groove Tools and Techniques Week 10 Spring Break 3/12 No Class 3/14 No Class Part III. Web Applications and Group Problem Solving Software to be learned: Komodo edit, Taco HTML edit, and others Week 11- MIDI and HTML 3/19 In class tutorials Project 5 assigned 3/21 In class tutorials Project 5 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox Homework: Read Chapter 10 Multimedia and the Web
Week 12- Group Composition Project 3/26 In class work Project 6 assigned 3/28 In class work Homework: TBA Week 13- Group Composition Project - continued 4/2 In class work 4/4 Group Presentations **Quiz 3 chapters 7,10 done in class ** Project 6 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox Homework: TBA Week 14- Final Project: Web Design 4/9 In class tutorials Project 7 assigned 4/11 In class tutorials Homework: Finish Project 7 and prepare for presentation Week 15- Final Project: Web Design continued 4/16 In class work 4/18 Presentations Project 7 due by 11:59 pm in my email inbox Homework: Study for Final Exam Week 16 - Finals Week Date and Time TBA ** All material and dates subject to change * Student Learning Outcomes Part 1 Learn the basics of working with Apple Macintosh computers Learn what equipment is necessary to build a digital audio workstation Learn how to connect microphones, interfaces, monitors, controllers, computers, and mixers Learn how to use music notation software to compose and transcribe music Part 2 Learn how to use a sequencer to record, edit, and mix MIDI and audio sound Learn what the possibilities are of using plug-ins Learn how to work with samples and loops Learn what the possibilities are of using controllers Part 3 Learn what HTML is and how to use it Learn how to design a HTML webpage with streaming MIDI sound Learn how to problem solve in groups while creating a musical composition Learn how to post your projects onto the web