Students will learn basic MIDI (Music Instrument Digital Interface) configurations and applications. Students will demonstrate a fundamental understanding of MIDI through applications of sequencing, music notation, and editing as learned in class and applied in studio sessions. Open to all students. No Pre-requisites.

Course Objectives:

1. Students will understand and be able to draw schematics of simple MIDI configurations in connecting instruments, interfaces, and computers.

2. Students will understand basic concepts of sound synthesis and sound sampling through the creation of several voices or instruments on the computer using the editing modes of synthesizers.

3. Students will understand the basics of a computer operating system and will demonstrate use of the sequencing soft ware through the creation of multi-timbral computer music works.

4. Students will understand the basics of a computer operating system and will demonstrate use of the music notation software through the creation of three scores: (1) piano/vocal, (2) choral, and (3) instrumental ensemble.

OVERVIEW: MIDI, SYNTHESIZERS and COMPUTERS (*5%)

• Basic Concepts of MIDI
• Sound Synthesis and Synthesizers
• Controllers
• Computers and Music Making
  • Notation Software
  • Sequencing Software
  • Sound Editors
  • Digital Audio
• Internet
• Establishing Your Internet Account
• Using E-mail As An Enhancement To The Class Activities

SOUND, SYNTHESIS, AND SYNTHESIZERS (10%)

• Fundamentals of Sound
• Synthesizing Sound
• Principles of Synthesis
  • FM Synthesis
  • Additive Synthesis
  • Phase Distortion
  Analog vs Digital
• Sources, Controls, Treatments
  • Waveforms
  • Filters
  • Modulation
  • Reverb
  • Delay
• Sampling
• Integrated Keyboard and Sound Modules
• Sound Modules (Rack mounted, etc.)
• Keyboard Controllers
• Other Controllers

PERIPHERALS (5%)

• Amplifiers
• Speakers
• Cables, Wires, Connectors, Adapter s
• Mixers
  • Signal Path
  • Treatments (Aux)
  • Line Signals
  • Microphone Connections
• The Ins and Outs of Getting Connected

MIDI (10%)

• Music Instrument Digital Interface
  • MIDI Code: An Overview
  • Basic Concepts of Control
  • Visualizing MIDI relationships
    • MIDI IN
    • MIDI OUT
    • MIDI THRU
• MIDI Interfaces
• MIDI Without Computers
• Computers and MIDI
• Basic MIDI Configurations
• Standard MIDI
• General MIDI

SEQUENCERS (30%)

• Introduction to Sequencing Software: Generic Concepts
  • Vision
  • Mark of the Unicorn
  • Notator Logic
  • Cake Walk
  • FreeStyle
• Integrated Sequencing and Digital Recording
• Basic Principles Of Sequencing Software
• Composing in Real Time
• Capturing Sequences
• Editing Sequences
• Assigning Instruments and Tracks
• Instrumental Librarians
• Modifying and Saving Voices
• Editing Sound

MIDI PUBLISHING (30%)

• Notation Software
  • Finale
  • Nightingale
  • Overture
• Principles of Computer Notation
• Score Preparation and Layout
• Inputting music
• Using MIDI as a reference for sound
• Assigning instruments to scores
• Compositional aids
• "Exploding" piano scores into arrangements
• Save, Save, Save your work (Making backups)
• Printing Scores
• Extracting, Printing Parts
• Copyright Issues

MIDI ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB (10%)

• A Brief overview of Browsers and plugins
• MIDI Instruments on the Web (Plugins)
• Downloading MIDI Files
• Playing MIDI on the Web

TERM PROJECT

• Compose or Orchestrate a Piece Using a MIDI Sequencer
• Compose or Make an Arrangement of a vocal/piano piece, a choral piece, and a small instrumental ensemble

EVALUATION

Textbook:

Huber, David Miles. The MIDI Manual. SAMS, Carmel, Indiana. 1991.

Supplementary Reading:

Electronic Musician. Emeryville CA: NBB Acquisitions, 1984- . Monthly. Keyboard. Cupertino CA: GPI Corp., 1974- . Monthly

REFERENCES

Boom, Michael. Music Through MIDI. .Mincrosoft Press, Redmond, WA. 1987.

Davies, Rick. "Musical Multitasking." Electronic Musician,. (April, 1990): 43-52.

De Furia, Steve, and Joe Scacciaferro. MIDI Programmer's Handbook.. Redwood City, CA. M & T Publishing, Inc. 1989.

Hall, W. Vann. "Conquering The MIDI Muddle." Music Educators Journal,. (December, 1986): 26 ff.

Milano, Dominic (Editor). Mind over Midi/for Musicians of All Levels, a Guide to the Creative Applications and Theory of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface.. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, 1988.

Muro, Don. "An Overview of Electronic Musical Instruments." Merrick, NY: J.D. Wall Publishing Co. and Korg Corp., 1988. Videotape, 0:30, VHS.

Muro, Don. The Art of Sequencing: A Step by Step Approach.. Warner Brothers. 1990.

Rubin, David M. Desktop Musician. Osborne, NY. 1992.