Assignment 1

A Guide to Performing with Technology

Task 1 - Equipment used in music technology/Whats involved

Computers
Computers are essential when performing with music technology. They are
the source where all tech is plugged in to and used

Hardware controllers
A hardware controller for example can be a keyboard
or Launchpad. When the buttons on them are
pressed they trigger the computer to record or play a
specific sound, this can be a single note of a
sequence.

Music software
Software that allows you to record in from an instrument or MIDI controller
and create live or MIDI music

Samplers
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument, it uses recordings (or
samples) of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user

Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic keyboard that sends its output through
speakers or headphones

Effects processors

Recording equipment
Electronic devices used for recording sound and making records, CDs,
audio files, etc.

Keyboards
A keyboard is a set of keys that all play different notes
when pressed

Microphones
An instrument for converting sound waves into
electrical energy variations which can then be played
through outputs

Pickups
 A pickup device is a transducer (A transducer is a device
that converts one form of energy to another) that senses mechanical
vibrations from stringed instruments such as the electric guitar and then
converts them to an electrical signal that is amplified using an instrument

Sound systems
A piece or several pieces of electronic equipment that can be used to play
music

MIDI controllers

Electronic musical instruments

-Synthesizer
-Theremin
-Sampler
-Digital piano

Sequencers
A sequencer is a device or application software that can record, edit, or
play back music

Task 2 How to control software using hardware

1. Make sure you have all the equipment needed. (A computer, MIDI
keyboard, audio interface, Pro Tools, headphones, cables)
2. Download Pro Tools onto your computer ( this is the software)
3. Plug the audio interface into the tower of your computer
4. Plug your headphones into the audio interface
5. Plug the midi keyboard usb into the back of your tower
6. Make sure the MIDI keyboard is switched on and the modulation
wheel is down
7. Open Pro Tools
8. Create blank session
9. Create an audio track and add the Xpand extension (this allows the
MIDI track to work)
10.Create a MIDI track
11.On the Xpand window choose your channel 1 instrument (eg a
piano)
12.To be able to play into the software you must make sure that the
MIDI track record button is red and that the transport record button
is also red.
13.To record just press the play button and play in your notes

Task 3 The functionality of the iPad

This iPad is not a PC but a computing device. It works through taps on the screen
rather than mouse clicks. Instead of an Ethernet port it works with WIFI and has
no other ports for DVDs or USBs. It has two built in cameras and supports
traditional web and email. The iPad functions as a complete media center,
including a photo and video organizer and music player. Its highest memory
capacity is 256GB making it capable of storing thousands of photos, days of
music and dozens of high-definition movies.