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Preparatory Computer Music
As accessibility to personal home studios has increased, the Prep Computer Music Department is pleased to offer Computer Music classes. Group classes are designed to guide students from an introduction to the MIDI studio to an understanding of the techniques required for studio production.
Classes will be taught using on a Mac computer running Pro Tools. Students are highly advised to purchase their own Pro Tools LE system (Studica.com offers academic pricing) though techniques learned can be applied to any software app/computer platform. Students will complete their assignments using their own home computers. Academic-priced hardware/software is available from retailers (such as Studica.com, Guitar Center, Sweetwater Sound, etc.).
Prerequisites:
• Comfortable using your computer, installing software, creating/playing mp3 files.
• Comfortable playing singlehanded on a MIDI (piano) keyboard (nothing virtuoso).
• A strong interest in music.
• Patience to work through various technical problems you will inevitably encounter in your studio.
• (Internet access is highly recommended so you can search internet forums for tech support when needed.)
Supplies needed in your home studio:
• Computer of recent vintage (Mac or PC)
• MIDI-capable (piano style) Keyboard
• (Depending on your keyboard, may also need MIDI cables)
• Pro Tools LE
• Blank CDs and/or Flash Drive to bring in homework
• Later in Semester: Mic, Cable, and Headphones. Decent Speakers.
If you don't own some of these items, consider coming to the first class to get advice before you go out and purchase lots of gear. Keep all your receipts and original packaging so you can return mis-purchased items!
Curriculum:
The book for the Level I course is Pro Tools 101 Official Courseware. Also, Ms. Taylor will bring in session files of additional songs for everyone to take home and mix.
The Level II course is run like an advanced-level seminar. Students are encouraged to bring in their session files from whatever projects they are working on in their home studios. Also we will discuss advanced topics like Digi plugins vs. Waves plugins vs. McDSP plugins, mixing techniques, miking techniques, production techniques, etc. Students can take this course more than once as new topics will be discussed each week and each semester.
Homework:
Each week students will be asked to assemble a new song in their home studio, because the only way to get better at using your studio is to spend time in there - lots of it. It is up students how much time to spend/how elaborate you want your songs to be.
The fall/winter semester concludes Jan 14, 2008.
Computer Music Spring 2008
Pro Tools Level I (TCM101) Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 pm Room C314
Pro Tools Level II (TCM102) Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 pm Room C314
The cost for the 16-week class is approx. $377.
Spring Semester begins Jan 23, 2008.
Enrollment disclaimer: 4 people need to sign up per class for it to successfully run. We will always hold the first class (Jan 23, 2008) but will assess enrollment at that date. So you may want to hold off on equipment purchases until the first class meets.
For more info contact instructor Angela Taylor at ataylor@peabody.jhu.edu
Computer Music Faculty
