How to setup a project
What is a DAW
A DAW is computer program created for the specific purpose of recording, editing/mastering, and playing digital audio files. They allow you to easily control and manipulate multiple audio tracks at a time as well as include some interesting and often very useful features for recording and/or editing. Eg; click track, tempo, a looper, as well as the ability to be linked to many different devices such as keyboards and mixing desks. They area aslo able to use different plug in softwares designed specifically for a DAW, we used some of these in our projects to create adio tracks authentic to the song. DAWs are also able to add effects and allow the mixing of individual tracks. This allows effects such as reverb and delay, more drastic effects such as tremolo and chorus, and EQ to be used. DAWs allow us to convert our finished projects into a variety of different file types, this allows us to then use our projects on a multitude of different formats. It also allows you to do this on individual tracks of a project.
Using Cubase to Sequence
We chose to use cubase 6 on this project. Sequencing on this software is exceedingly simple as there is an inbuilt key editor. This allows the user to quickly and easily input the notes from sheet music or other means in a variety of instrumental styles. The first thing to do is to create an appropriate track, in this case it is an instrument track. Then by simply double clicking on the track the key editor is opened. By using the pencil tool you can add notes of any timing and key via the axis which are labelled for each bar/note, and for every note.
Using a Mac
The mac has a very high processing speed and very smooth interface. This makes it ideal for creating a sequencing track on a DAW. Macs are also notoriously reliable and this means that it is highly unlikely that I am going to lose any work when creating or editing a project or individual track. Many DAWs have software designed specifically for macs, or at least with macs in mind when they're being created. This often means that when using a mac you will get the quality intended by the creator of the software, and in turn the quality you desire for you music.
Setting up a track with Halion Sonic SE
What is midi?
Midi (standing for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a type of computer protocol allowing electric instruments an musical/sound based software to communicate with each other. Midi allows entire songs to be created digitally, note by note. It also allows each individual component of a project to be altered, and also allows input from other software features. Midi is not the part of the project which actually creates the sound, it only provides the information for which notes should be played at which time. In the larger scheme of things this means that the actually sound/instrument being used to portray the notes can be changed at any given moment allowing for enormous amounts of musical fluidity in the creative process.
What is general midi?
General midi is a term used to describe a set of standard sounds and drums standards which are the basis for waveable synthesisers. These standards are used across many synthesiser manufacturers and sound based software to allow for the compatibility of devices from different producers via midi.
Using Halion SE
The Halion SE synthesiser is a very comprehensive synthesiser. It not only has a huge library of instrument and sound types, this allows a user to input sounds on a key editor or other hardware but make them sound like other instruments to allow for a variety of genres and styles to be used. It also allows the user to adjust each individual sound in a variety of ways. This can vary from more regular categories such as delay and reverb, to more exotic ones such as brilliance and vibrancy, volume and panning is also very easy to control using this with both being controlled by only a scroll bar which allows for a very easy understanding of the software. This synthesiser also allows for an electronic keyboard to be connected to the software and manually input notes. This can be very useful as when using the key editor to input notes it can make a track sound robotic and inorganic, using something like a key-studio keyboard allows the creator to input notes with a variety of volumes and timings, this can create a more 'acoustic feel' and can be better when sequencing genres such as jazz or reggae that require a more offbeat/organic feel. These can also be used to add effects to the notes such as modulation or pitch bend. However when inputting notes in this fashion they can also be edited post recording to in the key editor in order to fine tune them and make sure the track is more accurate and precise in order to account for human error.
Groove Agent and Mediabay
Groove agent and media bay were also vital softwares in the creation of the project. By using these two in conjunction I was able to create the percussive tracks to the song, including the all important drum track. Media bay is essentially a large set of samples from a variety of instruments, in a variety of different locations as scenarios, allowing users to find appropriate samples for almost any project. By listening to the original clean bandit record I was able to distinguish the sound of each important drum part, the find a similar sample for each on media bay for use in my project.
Then by assigning a new note designation to each sample on groove agent I was able to using a track equipped with groove agent to create an accurate drum track via the cubase midi interface.
Using the Key Editor
The key editor is the midi manager for cubase. It allows you to simply and easily input notes for at any note for a given amount of time. By using the 'pencil' tool, you can cleanly add notes to be played in a variety of styles and sounds.
Creating the Project
By using the score we were able to accurately recreate the song 'rather be'. By using all of the key features and factors of creation mentioned above we we were able to input each of the notes of each instrument and by using Halion SE we could designate the sound each track would produce, editing them slightly as to try and create an authentic piece. Due to fact that we were unable to sequence actual vocals with lyrics, we instead opted to use and instrument to replace the original vocal lines. I chose a muted trumpet as I felt it fitted the vocal line well, as well as suiting the reverb that I added to replicate the style of the original song. It was also vastly different from all of the other instrument tracks used meaning that it stood out in the project allowing it to be heavily distinguished. After the project was completed I decided to replace these tracks wit actual vocal tracks performed by Lauren Thomas. We recorded a lead track, backing track, and chorus double track. The double track had clipped during recording, as a result of this we decided not to use it, however I do not feel it deducted from the overall project by taking out. The main vocal track was slightly too quiet in certain points due to the gentle vocal nature of the performer, however this was easily solved by using EQ and compression. I also used EQ on the backing track to ensure it fitted the project well and did not over power any of the tracks that were intended to be more potent. Once I was happy with the levels of the vocal tracks I muted the trumpet tracks in order to put more focus onto the actual vocal, it was then that I decided that I should add some reverb to the new tracks as the reverb on the trumpet had worked so well. Once I had done this and listened to it I decided to remove the reverb from the backing vocal as I believe it took away from the lead track and slightly overpowered the combined vocals. Using this effect allowed created a feel to the vocals, and in turn the overall project, that was accurate to the original track.
https://soundcloud.com/user-401119215/rather-be-sequencing
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