Final Review

Final Review

On Tuesday 17^th June, I and the rest of the students prepared ourselves for the performance of our level 3. The session stared at noon and we set about working out a running order. It was decided that the group of 8 would be divided to allow four performances before and after a much needed break.

It was decided that my piece would be performed last as it had if nothing more a strong and fast original beat. Though I have performed in packed clubs and bars as a DJ nerves still kicked in as I was still unhappy with my piece of work and the technical difficulties I have encountered for the last five weeks had once last chance to shake my confidence (and succeeded) I encountered difficulties with the M-audio Radium keyboard for the final time and in the very last moment I had to set my performance control onto Rob’s Akai controller. This was quite a privilege because it is a mean machine and now I know exactly how much I want one. When it came to the actual performance I was still setting up my control and all the practice before hand was for nothing as this was a whole new ball game. An enjoyable one I jumped in hands and feet and just went with it. I did make a mistake or two and they were not really noticed. Saying whoops gave the select crowd a bit of a giggle and I think everyone had a good time my invited guests certainly enjoyed the variety of music that was displayed.

Overall my performance could have been better. I must be a poor workman because I am going to blame the tools provided, as mentioned I have had a character building experience with the transportation of livepacks and even more fun with the performance controls but I am glad of the whole experience it has certainly been a fun learning experience and though I have played with Ableton previously I am much more confident with the programme and find myself losing sleep because of its addictive nature.

Area of Expertise

Area of Expertise

For the final project I have created entirely new material in Ableton. Some of this newly created material is using some ideas I had been working with in preparation for this project using Propellerhead’s popular Reason software. I decided not to use rewire Technology to synchronise the two programs but recorded Reasons’ output as audio.

In the top box which has been highlighted the audio routing has been changed. Standard setting come from ext stereo channels 1& 2, to capture the Reason audio I selected the audio source to come from Reason. The box underneath (un-highlighted), states that audio comes from Reason channels 3 & 4. In the Monitor section the highlighted section relates to monitoring. With the in option selected I am monitoring the Audio from Reason. This means Reasons sounds can be heard in Ableton and also recorded.

To the bottom right of Ableton there are viewing options one of these been the master section.

When I click on the ‘M’ button, the section next to the red arrow opens this allowed me to see the volume levels of the channels used in my project. This option also displays the volume meter for each individual channel and allows me to monitor the level as they come in and avoid audio clipping. Clipping is when the top and bottom of a waveform are chopped and produce distortion.

The above image shows all channels displaying their individual volume meters.

In the image above the arrow shows an extendable part of the screen. Holding the mouse here will change the mouse arrow icon to an up/down arrow and I was able to drag the volume meters up to display a more detailed meter with volume levels as below.

Once I was able to see a good indication of input levels I armed the Ableton audio track to record, as shown below.

There are subtle differences between these two audio tracks. In channel 3 I am pointing out the monitoring section. I selected monitor in to hear the incoming audio from reason which enabled me to record the audio from reason. I had worked on some ideas for this project in reason so this was how I captured them. In channel 4 I have highlighted the record button. Selecting or arming this channel for recording enabled me to record a vocal straight into Ableton. I had originally planned to make a song but even I could not bear my signing voice through the editing process. I made a decision to record just a verse form the lyrics I had written and play around with them to get them to repeat a la house music. This as done by using an envelope to create a skippy loop of my recorded vocal which I thought was much easier on the ear than my singing voice. With careful monitoring I was able to set the levels of the reason audio, my vocal and the other channels trying not exceed 0db at which point clipping would occur as mentioned earlier.

Using effects in send and return mode

In this project I have used effect in both insert and also send and return mode. I will discuss where I have used send and return and effects. Notably a filter delay effect.

To use send and return effects it is essential you have created a return track. This can be done in at least two ways. Either by right clicking in  the empty space to the left of the master track and selecting insert return track.

Also by using the drop down insert menu at the top of the Ableton screen.

Once the return track is set up the effect can be dragged directly onto the channel.

The track highlighted orange has the filter delay effect on it.   A f ilter delay unit looks like the one below.

That handles the return function we now have to send some sound to the return track.  This is done by turning on the view for the send channels to be dispayed.

The next image displays a track with the send levels set

(1)  This displays a track with the send level set, which indicates the amount of the original (dry) signal that is sent to the effects unit.  In this instance the send is set to send to return rack three which has an EQ three on it.  I have utilised the filter delay but it is set up for the performance so as i turn the dial up it sends sound to the filter delay and this gives a distorted skippy echo effect

Create variations on clips, utilising a number of techniques

For the final project, I am attempting to create entirely new material. One of the ways i have used to create new material is by using variations on clips in a number of ways.

This image displays an audioclip clip i created. Double clicking on this clip takes you from session view, into clip view as displayed below.

Looking in further detail at the clip below I have highlighted parameters, they are as follows.

(1) Start of Loop Brace Marker: This is the point at which the audio clip will start to loop (if the loop section option is selected)

(2) Start Marker: This is the point at which the audio clip will start play from

(3) End of Loop Brace Marker: This defines the point at which the loop (if selected) will play to, then travel back to the start of loop point and continue to loop for a pre-defined time.

(4)End marker: This point indicates the end of the sample and where play stops (unless a loop setting is otherwise selected)

(5) Loop Brace: This indicates and defines the length of a looped section

(6) Loop indicator: This indicates whether a clip is loop enabled. When selected, this option will allow the clip to loop a section from between the start of loop (1) and end of loop (3) markers. If this loop indicator is not enabled the sample will play once from start (2) to end (4).

This is a variation on the above clip. I have utilized the loop section function (1), changed the loop length (2) from 1 bar in length to 2, and moved the start and end of loop points. I have also changed the start marker so that the clip starts from a different point in time (5).

The start marker has been placed at the start of bar two (5). This was done to make the bass sound fit in time with the beat better. The bass sound seemed to be slightly off beat when set at 1.4.3 where the note starts. The note now starts on the same beat as where the kick drum sounds are found in my drum patterns and loops for 1 bar in length (3) –(4).

The loop marker has been reduced in length so that it loops for 1 bar instead of two. The point at which it now starts looping is a lower tone note and fits nicely with the drum pattern.

The way to make variations in Ableton is seemingly endless. Aside from the technique mentioned above you can change the launch setting ie how it starts and plays, reversing audio clips, pitch shifting and warping. All these many options can be contained and controlled by Ableton’s powerful clip envelopes. I will explain more about this detail while discussing another variation of one of my clips.

The above image is of one the audio clips I have created. In clip view in its original form it appears as below.

I used lots of different techniques to make the recorded audio part fit and work within my project.

(1) I have turned the (time) warp feature on this allowed me to stretch time around the audio in the clip.

(2) Inside the circle at point (2) is point I chose for the start marker. Beat 1 is highlighted green showing the clip has now been warped. I have circled the other warp markers. These were placed strategically to alter the rhythm of my recorded vocal and keep it in time.

(3) Shows the loop section is turned on.

(4) This is where I placed the start loop marker.

(5) This is where I placed the end of loop marker, the section now loops continuously for half a bar around the section from (4) – (5).

I also utilsed clip envelopes to provide yet more variety.

(1) Inside of this box I have selected unlinked, this means that the envelope can have its own characteristics which are unlinked to the clip ie it will play the clip as I have selected and loop the section I selected , but it will have characteristics that are apllied for x amount of time etc, without affecting the others settings.

(2) This is the envelope loop section. the envelope will loop for the length of time I have selected, in this case two bars.

(3) This is the envelope type, envelopes can be created on almost setting. I have used an envelope on the mixer . controlling the track volume. It is possible to use envelopes on the clip itself or any effects attached to a track.

(4) The envelope settngs are on track volume I have the volume either on or off (100% or 0%) this was used so particular words were used while not so desirable ones were silenced. This was done to give a stuttering effect. A common occurence in the style of music I am trying to create.

Use a range of built-in Ableton Instruments

For my performance and final project I intend to make a “jackin’” house set produced almost entirely from new material, pre-recorded samples will be kept to a minimum, where they are used, the samples will be manipulated so that they are unrecognisable.  My interest in electronic dance music comes from my passion for “DJ’ing”.  I am influenced by the US house sound particularly Chicago style “Deep House” and also the minimal “Tech” House sound that comes from the UK and Europe.

To make new sounds and material I developed an understanding of M.I.D.I (musical.instrument.digital.interface) and the ability to use midi via a controller keyboard or the computer keyboard to play Ableton’s software synthesisers

Ableton’s software Synthesiser’s and instruments are listed as below (shown in Ableton’s device browser).

For the new sounds created thus far I have favoured the 3 following Synth’s

Operator

Operator A FM (frequency modulation) synthesiser

Analog

Analog A physically-modelled analog synthesiser

Simpler

Simpler Is for Chromatic play of one sound via an attached midi controller keyboard of use of the computer keyboard

Pay attention to the simpler above you may notice it is in offline mode. No sounds will be heard from simpler in this state. Any Sample can be loaded into simpler in this mode (drop sample here). Once a sample is loaded you can commence play with Simpler.

Notice in the simpler above a sample has been loaded.

This sample has been used in simpler

In keeping with my project plan this is a new sound I had produced using Reason, this was then exported into Sony’s Sound Forge 8 Audio editing software, cut, tweaked and then saved. It was then loaded back into Ableton’s Simpler. All of the parameters can be adjusted to play as much of the sample as you require, the sample can also looped allowing sample to play the sound as a long note. I used simpler with the above sound whilst attempting to create a warm resonant bass sound for use in my project Creating a new sound and then creating a bassline played via the keyboard has been fun and an effective way to produce new material.

Record, quantise and edit Midi clips

For my performance and final project I intend to make a “jackin’” house set produced almost entirely from new material, pre-recorded samples will be kept to a minimum, where they are used, the samples will be manipulated so that they are unrecognisable.  My interest in electronic dance music comes from my passion for “DJ’ing”.  I am influenced by the US house sound particularly Chicago style “Deep House” and also the minimal “Tech” House sound that comes from the UK and Europe.

In order to create new material I will have to become familiar with Ableton’s built in software Synthesisers and instruments.  I will also need to gain a good knowledge and understanding of M.I.D.I (Musical Instrument.Digital.Interface).

This is a midi chanel In order to play and record midi the chanel needs to be armed to receive note data

The second image shows the same midi chanel this time displaying a red light which signifies midi is enabled,you will no be able to play and record midi data.

Once a track is midi enabled you can play an attached (keyboard) controller or use the computer keyboard to play in melodies, bass-lines and patterns.  This will happen inside a midi clip.  Simply arm the track and play to your hearts content.

Double clicking on this midi clip from the session view will take you inside of the clip to display the note editor in the clip view as displayed below.

Highlighting the notes and right clicking will give you options relating to the midi clip, such as deactivate note, or quantise (push in time to nearest beat/minim/quaver) . In the clip view it is also possible to change the note length and velocity (how loud it is played).

Final Project Planning

My idea for the final project is to create a jackin house style set made almost entirely of original material. The aim is to comprise a song, a melodic minimal tune and another song. The songs are likely to be spoken word and the music created in midi using the session view. I will try to avoid using pre recorded samples. My musical inspiration comes from classic house tracks such as “House Music” by Eddier Amador

Goal 1: Is to write some lyrics for 20/05/08

Goal2: Record the lyrics for 28/05/08

Goal 3: Create the sounds in Ableton for 04/06/08

To get this project started I will need to write some lyrics and record them. I expect my project to be 10 mins long at the most. 3mins for the song, 4 mins for the tune, 3 mins for the final song. I will be focusindg on recording the vocals and there will need to be a large amount of time spent on creating the music and sound using abletons in built syntesisers. The audio i may need to use will be created personally as will the vocals.