This is “YOUR” song.

And you can tell everybody this is your songIt may be quite simple but now that it's doneI hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind that I put down in wordsHow wonderful life is while you're in the world

Elton John: The Great Collaborator

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Introducing “Midi”

• Midi can “SAVE YOUR LIFE”

- Auto Backings- Print out Music- Change Keys- Change Speed- Play other instruments- Be Creative- Keep accurate records- Transfer files (small) - Improve sound Quality

What makes up a Midi System

• Midi Instrument (Keyboard / Guitar / Sax / Drum kit)

• Midi Interface

• Computer

• Computer Software (Cubasis)

Instrument

• Must have “Midi” ports– GM (general midi) is the Roland Standard

for MIDI– Midi In and Midi Out.

• Midi in controls the Instrument from the computer

• Midi out sends the data from the instrument to the computer.

Interface

A range of different options:

-Break out cable (simple)-Midi Interface-Midi / Audio interface-Dedicated Sound Interface(Such as “pro tools digi 002)

Software - SEQUENCER

Most Recording programs have “Midi” built in but there areSome that are much better than others.

RecommendedSoftware for Midi recording

CubaseCakewalk

Other useful midi Software: Band in a Box

What does MIDI record ?

• DATA - Not AUDIO !– When notes start and stop– How hard were they pressed– What pitch was pressed– What volume was set– After touch / pitch wheel / modulation

Why MIDI at all ?

The Midi Evangelist ?

• What do we do when midi “Doesn’t work”

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Solve the Midi interface.• Make sure everything is plugged in

before you turn on computer / restart.

• Check that all equipment has “power”

• Check that settings on interface seem sensible (ie pc settings / power settings)

• Does the computer ask for installation (if it does, seek help from a teacher)

Software Settings

- for a midi device to work through a computer, there must be software open, and correctly configured also…….

- Open Cubasis- select a midi track (not audio) - Choose the “Sound device” (midi instrument)

- 3 options are : - pc 300 mid out (if you have a better sound source)- computer sounds (microsoft wavetable) - Soundblaster midi synth A.

3 Ways to input sound using a midi sequencer.

Keyboard Input (this has been covered in practical tutorials, a summary is below !

If the P.C. 300 has been selected as your midi input device, you should be able to simply select the midi track and sound you wish to record, and click on record. The sequencer should record exactly what you played.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

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QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

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3 Ways to input sound using a midi sequencer.

Piano Roll Input (if you are keyboard challenged ) In your sequencer (cubasis) find the pull down menu that includes “Key

Editor” sometimes called the “Piano Roll”

Keyboard shows which note you want.

Use the pen to drag the notes you want to play from left to right. Each grid is a beat.

3 Ways to input sound using a midi sequencer.

Drum Editor (if you are keyboard challenged ) In your sequencer (cubasis) find the pull down menu that includes the “drum Editor”

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Use the drumstick in the drum editor, to place a “hit” where each instrument happens. Once you have a bar correct, you can copy and paste it across the length of your song.

Putting in a Basic Drum Pattern

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

HiHat * * * * * * * *

Snare * *

Kick * * *

Choose either the drum or piano roll editor, and input this basicDrum rhythm, then copy and paste it a number of times. (Set quantize to 8)

Model (using cubase)Drum Editor

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Importing band in a box patterns to work with…….

Create a short sequence using band in a box in a style that Suits your song.

Export biab file as a midiImport the midi into cubasis (sequencer) Delete or mute any unwanted tracksRecord melody rhythm over the top of the other tracks

Export midi to harmony assistantEdit melody to fit with the chord progression