DAW Audio Composition Side-Project – Song 1

Leave a comment

Summary

Created a song in GarageBand, at first for fun, now for a grade

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yo5dA2OGjYWHBpU6t6onvj7dDo1802Uk/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned that coming up with different melodies is hard

DAW Audio Composition Project – May

Leave a comment

Summary

I made a one minute song, not entirely finished but good enough, mostly inspired by an anime series (and its intro).

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

Song Used As Template

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yoWF_9P4mr13nP5861FDUkmPxLR2MSvF/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned different ways to use automations in GarageBand.

Making Motives with Triads – March/April

Leave a comment

Summary

I had created “mini songs” in Soundtrap and GarageBand using triads that I came up with as the main lead.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:[1]

  • The root
  • The third
  • The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

  • Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
  • Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
  • Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
  • Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
  • Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
  • Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
  • Scale Degrees:
    • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
    • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
    • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
  • Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
  • Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
  • Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
  • Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
  • Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
  • Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
  • Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

My Motives

Triad 1

Triad 1 – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TciEdoYZ7eKXkFfggdRQCKp7uwDZL-bz/view?usp=sharing

Triad 3 – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gqQQUk7Ds3W9Cb4532gEBU6W1ADcgyUo/view?usp=sharing

Triad 3 (version 2) – https://drive.google.com/file/d/18we6dFZnhEbXPDPbcNcms5ADTssG8MRc/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned……………… triads are fun

no tutorials were used.

DAW Audio Composition Project – February

Leave a comment

Summary

What I did was I made a song using Soundtrap (instead of GarageBand) inspired by the soundtrack of an “old” anime using the lingering melody in my head and the entire day of the Super Bowl LVI.

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores see standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

Song Used As Template

GarageBand Tracks

(Couldn’t fit everything but these are all the tracks)

My Composition

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ecJSUdbwsvPXPmJxSVxzmsMgj0zJdZR/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

Hank – Said the composition was really good.
PJ – Said the mixing was good (dynamic?) and no tracks were peaking.
Jackson – Said it sounded like a boss battle; the break is a little too low and should add more.

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I don’t remember what I learned but I do know that it was fun trying to figure out what works with the song and try to make something that really fits with the style of the genre.

Tutorial that helped:

Production Project -Session 3

Leave a comment

SUMMARY

Role

Intention (SMART Goal)

By January 30th, as part of School of Rock, I will explore

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

Project Timeline

Proposed Budget

PRODUCTION – ACTION

The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

Skills Commentary

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Reactions to the Final Version

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Grammar and Spelling

Editor

DAW Audio Composition Project

Leave a comment

Summary

This blog post is about how I picked a song and referenced its structure/composition to make a new song using SoundTrap.

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

Song Used As Template

I chose this song because it was honestly the only one I could think of. It also uses a nice mix of synth and rock.

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned how to better use SoundTrap during this project, and also found out about the automations within the DAW. I had used no tutorials, so everything just comes from listening to music, pain and tears.

bridge project Production Project session 2

Leave a comment

SUMMARY

Role:

songwriter, keyboard

Intention (SMART Goal)

the project is currently not completed yet, but i contributed part of the songwriting/keyboard

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Rob Cantor – songwriter (pretty wacky guy)

Training Source(s)

https://www.hooktheory.com/

Project Timeline

8 weeks

Proposed Budget

rented a guitar/bass tuner – $15

PRODUCTION – ACTION

The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

Skills Commentary

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Reactions to the Final Version

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Grammar and Spelling

Editor

Production Project – Session 2

Leave a comment

SUMMARY

Role:

Intention (SMART Goal)

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

Project Timeline

Proposed Budget

PRODUCTION – ACTION

The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

Skills Commentary

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Reactions to the Final Version

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Grammar and Spelling

Editor

How to Write a Song: Andrea Stolpe

Leave a comment

Videos

Watch all the videos in this series:

Notes

  • Type stuff
  • Stuff
  • More stuff

Skip to toolbar