SIGNIFICANT
BITS by Sean N. Henderson COMPUTER MUSIC WORKSHOP—LOOPS! Thank you to everyone who attended the PC-Based Music Production Workshop on November 2, 2007 at the DACS Resource Center. The workshop was a success. Attendees gained some firsthand knowledge about how modern music is produced using MIDI tracks, patterns and audio loops. The workshop started with an overview or history of computer music, then continued on to various demonstrations. Discussion focusing on pure algorithmic composition and academic computer music was left for another time.
The software that was demonstrated included M-Audio's KeyRig virtual synthesizer rack, Sony's ACIDxpress audio loop sequencer, Ableton's Live Lite 6 sequencer, and Steinberg's new single-screen sequencer Sequel. As mentioned before in SIGNIFICANT BITS, a software music sequencer is a program that records and arranges audio and MIDI tracks, and which may host instrument plug-ins, called VST instruments. The bits of audio that get used in these programs are called loops, or more specifically ACID loops, named after the program by Sonic Foundry, later bought by Sony. Sonic Foundry's (now Sony) ACID was the first to sequence audio loops in the same way that MIDI patterns are used. The hardware that was demonstrated included M-Audio's MobilePre USB ASIO2-compatible audio interface, M-Audio's KeyRig 25 USB/MIDI keyboard, and my low-budget, slightly modified, Gateway MX6436 notebook computer. Playback was through some low-cost computer speakers on hand at the Resource Center connected to the MobilePre. For those who didn't get to attend and would like to play around with a music program that will let you drag-and-drop bits of music to make a new piece of music, ACIDxpress can be had for free at www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/freestuff.asp. To locate audio samples for use with ACIDxpress or similar, try typing in 'free ACID loops' into a search engine. Alternatively, loop libraries on CD-ROM may be purchased at local music stores specializing in pro-audio. There are also weekly '8Packs' that provide loop packages that users submit to demonstrate ACID. For those who shy away from things with the Sony name, there are many other choices that will handle ACID loops. Many other sequencing platforms offer demo, trial-ware, and lite (read hobbled) versions. After spending over a year trying to navigate audio/MIDI driver issues, I can tell you that for Windows, it all needs to be ASIO2. When shopping for an audio interface, some may come with bundled software, which is good if you are just starting out. An ASIO2-compatible audio interface is necessary if playing back mixed track types, or if recording new tracks while monitoring the others (overdubbing) is desired. If interested in going-to-school on my research and sidestepping some pitfalls, make sure and go ASIO2 compatible for everything involved. Currently, the M-Audio MobilePre interface not only comes with a sequencer (Ableton Live Lite 6), but with a very usable loop library (ProSesssions). Other manufacturers have similar deals. Note that the type and quality of software varies by outlet. The software sequencer bundled with KeyRig25 at Best Buy differs from the sequencer bundled with KeyRig25 sold at, say, East Coast Music Mall. Another workshop aimed more at the how-to and best-practices of computer generated music will be held in 2008. Details will be announced at the General Meetings, Charlie's emails, the DACS calendar or in the DACS newsletter. LINKS
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