Goal
- Convey knowledge of audio mixing and song composition terms in a media production.
Define These Terms
- Describe the COMPOSITION of the song
- Identify the KEY
- Describe the SONG STRUCTURE
- Identify the TEMPO
- Describe what you like about the RHYTHM
- Describe the instrument’s TIMBRE
- Describe the instrument’s PITCH
- Describe the song’s ARRANGEMENT
- Describe the MIX
- Identify the main TRACKS
Product
- Create a blog post with embedded media from YouTube, SoundCloud, and/or Flickr off your mastered composition.
2018 Student Songs
Examples
- Abbey’s post
- Ben’s post
- Damian’s post
- Joe’s post
- Maddy’s post (Has script) – complete blog post
- Mikayla’s post (Has script) – complete blog post
- Spencer’s post (Has script)
- Chris’ post (Has script)
- Riley’s post
- Tyler’s post
- Mayah’s post
- Aaron’s post
- Joseph’s post
- Shawnee’s post
- Ciara’s post
- Carson’s post
- Emily’s post
- Brisa’s post
- Blake’s post
- Tory’s post
- Sam’s post
- Mack’s post
- Ashlee’s post
- Ella’s post
Steps
- Day 1 – Create Blog Post, Add Section Headings, Learn Terms and Concepts
- Watch Pink Floyd – The Story of “Wish You Were Here” Documentary (48:00 – 56:00)
- Listen to U2 Cedarwood Road creation story at songexploder.net
- Explore U2’s One at HookTheory.com/TheoryLab
- Explore some of your favorite song structures hooktheory.com/theorytab
- Fill in the Song Info Google Form with info about the song you want to feature
- Create blog post titled, Podcast Recording Project – My Favorite Song
- Create the Summary heading
- Create the Terms heading
- Copy and paste all the terms
- Explore Quizlet – Audio Mixing Terminology
- Write the definitions in your own words
- Day 2 and 5 – Learn about composition elements, copyright, the Creative Commons, write and record the script
- Watch this brilliant example of song arranging from the movie Begin Again original (1:00) performance imagined arrangement (17:40) and roof top performance
- Create a heading titled My Script
- Create a free account at Celtx.com
- Watch a Celtx Tutorial
- Watch Start a new Celtx screenplay
- Watch Celtx Video: Two Column Format
- Alternative: Two Column Template in Google Docs
- Review article on Two-Column, Split-Page Script Format
- Use Celtx.com to format and write the script
- Reminder: use AV format
- Include the following in the script:
- Start with a description including the fact that you are creating a Creative Commons educational project and copyrights remain with all copyright holders
- Comment on the COMPOSITION of the song
- Identify the KEY
- Describe the SONG STRUCTURE
- Read more about song structure
- Is it an AB or ABC pattern?
- Identify the TEMPO
- Describe what you like about the RHYTHM
- Describe the instrument’s TIMBRE
- Describe the instrument’s PITCH
- Describe the song’s ARRANGEMENT
- Read more about Song Arrangement
- Identify the main TRACKS that are part of the arrangement
- What do you like about the tracks arrangement?
- Describe the MIX
- How do the instruments sound together?
- Cut away to parts of the song in between your narration
- Place these cut aways notes in the left column of the AV formatted script
- Compose your narration text in the right column, the stuff you will say
- Export as a PDF file
- Print a copy and rehearse with it for the recording studio
- Share requirements for Fair Use of copyrighted material from commonsensemedia.org and Soundcloud copyright information
- Only use a small amount of the work
- Less than 30 seconds of the song, total with each clip being only 5 to 15 sections
- Add new meaning to the work to make it original
- Be analytical
- Describe the ‘what’ of the song element
- What are we listening to?
- Describe it as if the person reading your script cannot hear the sound clip
- What are we listening to?
- The ‘why’ the segment is compelling/effective for making you feel something?
- ‘How’ does this segment work with the rest of the song?
- ‘How’ does a it further the songs message/ feeling?
- Describe the ‘what’ of the song element
- Be analytical
- Rework it and use it in a totally different way
- This is done by mixing your commentary and opinion
- Use it for nonprofit purposes
- This is done by using it for education and setting your SoundCloud settings to Creative Commons
- Only use a small amount of the work
- Day 6 – Edit the song clip
- Mix the narration and song clips together tastefully to tell a good audio story
- Day 7 through second to last day of project, Mix and Edit All the Audio
- Mix the sound clips and audio levels
- Be sure to have the clips blend together nicely
- Upload your podcast mp3 to Soundcloud
- Be sure to add copyright information about the song and describe that you were creating this podcast as part of a school project in the Soundcloud description
- Make sure your file is in the Creative Commons at Soundcloud
- Create Audio Mixed Podcast heading
- Embed your Soundcloud file
- Embed a screenshot of the tracks with the volume automation curves visible
- Be sure to adjust the horizontal zoom slider so that all regions are visible
- Create What I Learned heading
- Explain what you learned and at least one problem you overcame
- Mix the sound clips and audio levels
- Last Day
- Present your podcast
Tools
- Celtx.com
- GarageBand
- Audacity
- iTunes
- SoundCloud
- Flickr
Resources
- Quizlet
- Play with the terms Audio Mixing Terminology
- Fair Use of copyrighted material
- Song Exploder
- Check out episodes for sound quality and audio clip structure
- U2 – Cedarwood Road example
- Celtx.com
- GarageBand
- Audacity
- Adding ID3 tag information and art in iTunes