Technologies within Music production
Computer/MAC.
The computer provides the solid center for any studio set up. It groups together all the MIDI and audio inputs/outputs into the DAW (digital audio interface). The computers used in studios are very powerful as they need to easily handle a lot of processes happening at once, especially if internal instruments are being used. Studio computers also have large amounts of hard drive memory in order to store the large amounts of sounds, samples and external plugins in which the producer uses at their disposal.
MIDI controllers.
MIDI stands for musical instrument digital interface and this converts digital data into variables which the DAW can use to control parameters. The MIDI controller provides a vital hardware interaction which isn't provided through a computer keyboard. MIDI controllers come in all shapes and sizes from keyboards to drum samples such as the native instruments machine. Most MIDI controllers are quite versatile allowing them to be programmed to do what ever the user desires.
below is a video of the usability of MIDI controllers to make music.
External hardware.
The oldest way to make electronic music is to use external hardware such a synthesisers and drum machines. This form of hardware is bottom line an instrument. it takes hours of sound design to tweak and programme its oscillator and effects interfaces to get its desired sounds. Famous examples of synthesisers used in early productions are the Roland Juno-60 and the Minimoog. Also with the growing up rising in electronic music the drums have also been automated using synthesis drum machines. This allows the producer to programme complicated patterns like what you would find in drum and bass which a drummer simply couldn't play live. This opened so many doors for producers allowing them to pioneer new genres such as house, dubstep and drum and bass. Key drum machines which stand out in the history of music production include the Roland Drums 606/707/808 and the 909. External hardware is still produced today with models from Akai such as the Timber Wolf and Roland with the System-1. However very effective and fun to play with they are very expensive to buy.
Below are some examples of the sounds which a produced with the TR-909 drum machine
below is an example of the types of sounds produced by the Minimoog synthesiser
Digital audio workstation
The digital audio workstation works hand in hand with the computer to collect and send the information from all the MIDI and audio inputs/outputs. There is many software packages on the market all with their own interface and instrument assets. The main leaders in this product area are ; Ableton live 9, Pro tools 11, logic pro x, Native Instruments Komplete and FL Studio. Each DAW follows a similar set out. Most packages have a timeline setting in which musical elements can be set out in order of appearance. Also most have a rack set out or sometimes know as session view which takes a layout found on a studio mixer show volumes, pan and sometimes EQ. Each DAW has its own range of virtual instruments and effects which are designed to behave in the same way hardware would. Digital audio workstations vary in price from £200 up £900 this difference is due to about of software included in the pack.
Types of audio products
music track
A music track is normally in the form of a song including elements such as drums, guitar, bass and mostly vocals to create an audio product.
Here is an example of a music track
Sound track for audio visual productions
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying the images of a motion picture, book, television programme or a video game. These productions are made to accompany the visuals not to be released as a stand alone product such as an audio track or a song.
Here is an example of an audio visual soundtrack
Ringtones
A ringtone is a short caller sound which keeps playing to let the user know that they are receiving a call. These tend to be very simple a repetitive to allow it to be easily loop throughout the call tone.
Here is an example of a ringtone
Pre-production
Before you start any project you must make sure everything is in place and working so faults don't interrupt the creative process. This routine check should include all connections are working like monitor cables, Midi connections, Microphone connections and audio interfaces are working. Then make sure the recording artist or vocalist is ready and prepared to record within the session.
Production
The main production process in the production is the recording and choice of the musical elements. This can be midi files from a controller or keyboard or it can be a recording of a physical instrument such as a guitar or drums. These elements can be devised from synth plugins, external drum machines, electric guitars and vocals. A common technique is to record an instrument live with a microphone and use that clip to sample through MIDI data in the computers DAW. In production the sequencing is the main creative element of composition. Its what gives a song its structure so it sounds professional. Effects are placed on the desired channels these can be reverb, filters and flangers to create new sounds or to create more diversity in a long chorus or breakdown. However effects such as EQ are not used as heavily in this stage as this come in when the mix and mastering takes place.
Post-production
In post production the product which has been produced so far is polished and finalised to create the fully mastered track. This stage includes Heavy EQ so that the frequencies are mixed and balanced together so it has full spectrum diversity. If a track is not correctly EQ'ed it can become distorted from too much of one frequency, this is a leading contribution to poor audio quality so the whole track sounds very poor and unprofessional. Other mastering tools include Compression which is also an essential tool as it keeps all frequencies balanced in volume so it remains the same volume for all sounds. Other tweaks a producer could use is pitch bend which changes the pitch of the musical element to make it fall into key with the rest of the track or to dramatically deepen or heighten its pitch as a creative technique. This technique is used quite a lot in electronic music such as House.
Here is an example of an audio visual soundtrack
Ringtones
A ringtone is a short caller sound which keeps playing to let the user know that they are receiving a call. These tend to be very simple a repetitive to allow it to be easily loop throughout the call tone.
Here is an example of a ringtone
Production processes in Music production
Pre-production
Before you start any project you must make sure everything is in place and working so faults don't interrupt the creative process. This routine check should include all connections are working like monitor cables, Midi connections, Microphone connections and audio interfaces are working. Then make sure the recording artist or vocalist is ready and prepared to record within the session.
Production
The main production process in the production is the recording and choice of the musical elements. This can be midi files from a controller or keyboard or it can be a recording of a physical instrument such as a guitar or drums. These elements can be devised from synth plugins, external drum machines, electric guitars and vocals. A common technique is to record an instrument live with a microphone and use that clip to sample through MIDI data in the computers DAW. In production the sequencing is the main creative element of composition. Its what gives a song its structure so it sounds professional. Effects are placed on the desired channels these can be reverb, filters and flangers to create new sounds or to create more diversity in a long chorus or breakdown. However effects such as EQ are not used as heavily in this stage as this come in when the mix and mastering takes place.
Post-production
In post production the product which has been produced so far is polished and finalised to create the fully mastered track. This stage includes Heavy EQ so that the frequencies are mixed and balanced together so it has full spectrum diversity. If a track is not correctly EQ'ed it can become distorted from too much of one frequency, this is a leading contribution to poor audio quality so the whole track sounds very poor and unprofessional. Other mastering tools include Compression which is also an essential tool as it keeps all frequencies balanced in volume so it remains the same volume for all sounds. Other tweaks a producer could use is pitch bend which changes the pitch of the musical element to make it fall into key with the rest of the track or to dramatically deepen or heighten its pitch as a creative technique. This technique is used quite a lot in electronic music such as House.
Here is an example of this technique in use, (skip to 1:18 to hear the effect in use)
Above is a common mastering effects chain used in a Digital audio workstation.
