MUSC 108. Introduction to Music Technology - Fall 2013

Unit 15 Lecture Notes

[Overview] [Syllabus]

Correction to 14Lab1. Logic PPQ is 3840, not 960. Updated table at end of 14Lab1.

Logic Resources

An amazing number of Logic tutorials, tips, and tricks are available online. I've listed some on the course reference page, 00Reference.html.

Logic Videos

Logic Pro 8 - Your 1st Hour With Logic Pro 8 (9:42)

LogicPro Basic Shortcuts 1 YouTube (4:18)

LogicPro Basic Shortcuts 2 YouTube (3.44)

Valse Triste (Sad Waltz) by Jan Sibelius

Valse Triste was written in 1903 by the finnish composer Jean Sibelius ( 1865-1957). The Sibelius music notation software was named after him and the software's opening music is from one of his Symphonies.

We'll be working with Valse Triste for most of the remaining labs. The concepts you'll learn in these labs will parallel the work you'll be doing on your final project.

Valse Triste Score.pdf

Final Project Plan of Attack

We'll cover these steps in upconing labs.

1. Import MIDI file into Logic. Remove everything except NON and NOF data. 15Lab1 and 15Lab2
2. Assign Instruments. 15Lab2
3. Score Preparation. 15Lab2
4. Split tracks to create different articulations (optional).
5. Create the tempo track.
6. Edit Note velocity for rhythmic drive.
7. Edit Note lengths for articulation.
8. Add Expression, Sustain Pedal, and Pitch Bend data if needed.
9. Apply the EQ on individual channel strips as needed.
10. Apply reverb.
11. Add automation for volume and pan as needed either through drawing, or recording fader movements
12. Mix down to two track stereo wav file.
13. Mix multiple MIDI tracks down to a two track audio wav file.
14. Normalize wave file to -3 dB.

Professional Studio Tricks

8b Save each instrument as a normalized mono audio file with all effects disabled
8c: Import the separate instrument audio files into a new Logic project.

Axioms in Mastering Audio

Clipping must be avoided. Never, ever, let track or master volumes go above 0 dB. If you see "red" lower the volume.
Apply small changes in EQ. It's usually better to attenuate frequencies than to intensify them.
Do not Normalize your final audio file to 0 dB. Always leave at least 3 dB of headroom.
Do not assign Reverb to individual tracks. Instead:

1. Put the reverb on the Master output track, or
2. Put the reverb on an Auxiliary track bus and send various amounts of reverb to that bus.

Listen to your project on different devices like speakers and headphones. If you mix exclusively with headphones, you'll probably be surprised when you hear your project through speakers.

Valse Triste Logic Project

I entered the score in Sibelius and exported a Standard MIDI File. I opened the MIDI file in Logic and followed the steps listed above to create the Logic version of Valse Triste.

Valse Triste Recordings

Karajan Valse Triste Sibélius 1980

Ormandy Valse Triste

[Overview] [Syllabus]