Unit 49 Brief 2

Sequencing a Pop Song 

What is MIDI and General MIDI?

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This is used for recording and playing back music on digital synthesizers found on computer software. MIDI takes in information such as Notation, Pitch and Velocity. General MIDI is a standardized specification for music.

MIDI

Unit 49 Brief 1

Setting up a Live Performance and Recording Equipment.

The steps on how to set up Live Performance and Recording Equipment are as follows;

1) Take boxes apart.

2) Keep lids away for safety.

3) Keep the mixing  desk on power supply and move desk to position.

4) Lock wheels for safety.

5) Move base bins to position.

6) Set up main speakers on top, about the same height.

7) Ensure everything is secure in the correct position and everything is secured tightly.

8) Connect speaker cables to the power supply.

9) Connect the desk to the amps using Jack Leads.

10) Plug everything into the mains. 

11) Flat line the desk to avoid any bad noise.

12) Connect XLR Leads for any microphones or amplified instruments being used. 

13) Turn on the desk and do any last checks.

14) Turn of the speaks.

15) Finally, set all the levels correctly to make sure the sound of the audio is correct.

Risk Assessment for Setting up a Live Performance and Recording Equipment.

Electrical Risks

Electrical shocks and burns - any contact with live/exposed wires can cause a person to experience shocks and/or burns. A way to avoid this from happening is to only apply power to the system as and when it is needed. Also, if there are any exposed wires coming from any of the cables, it is important to tape the cable up some no contact with the wires inside can come in contacts with a person. If power must be on at all times, reduce the voltage of the input. This way, if and shocks or burns were to be causes, they would be a lot minor than if the voltage was kept how it was originally.

Fire - Faulty wires may cause sparks when power is applied, which can cause fires. It is important to check over any cables that you are planning to use for what ever reason before you use them to upcoming reason. This will then prevent any fires being caused. If you come across a fault wire that sparks, dispose of the cable appropriately and DO NOT put it back in its original place for others to use. 

Plug Sockets - Ensure to keep all plug sockets OFF at all times necessary. So not put anything, other than a plug, into the plug sockets to avoid electrical shocks. Make sure all plug sockets are checked before use to make sure that they are safe to use. This is to avoid them potentially sparking and causing fires. 

Water -  Make sure, if the Sound System you are setting up is outdoors or near water, that the water itself if not touching/getting on any of the equipment. If any water getting onto the equipment, it will cause the system to short cut and potentially blow up/spark. This could cause any potential fires or explosions. If setting up outside and it is raining, ensure that the System is fully covered and set up onto of a raised surface to ensure that no water will get onto the system. 

 

Other Risks

Lifting with your knees - When lifting any heavy equipment, it is important to always lift the items from the knees. This way it takes the weight off any other part of your body and will prevent any injuries, such as back pain. 

Wires - It important that any wires that are being used are kept in an appropriate place, and off the floor to prevent anyone from tripping. Tripping over wires can cause a person to cause injury to themselves, such as; cuts, grazes, bruises, or even broken or fractured bones. When storing wires, always keep them either in a box or stored away until needed. When the wires are in use, make sure that any wire that may be on the ground are secured by taping them to the floor to avoid anyone from tripping over them. 

Unit 48: Composing using Music Technology

Samples

A sample is a short audio clip that is taken from an existing piece of music in order to reuse is to create a new piece of music. To be able to do this, went on the internet to download various audio tracks, being songs and sound effects. Usually, samples will be manipulated by using various different techniques, such as; pitch shift/changing the key of the sample, reverse and time stretching. The Beatles are well know as being on of the first people to ever experiment and use sampling. This technique can be sound on their song 'Yellow Submarine'. A sample of a brass solo was added to the song, from Sousa by by George Martin and Geoff Emerick. The sample was added to the song and kept in the exact same key, cut into small segments and re-arranged to for a brief solo.

Here is a screenshot of the work completed today, above. We downloaded 5 sound effects tracks and imported them into Cubase and then continued to apply affects to them, such as; compression, pitch shift, reverse and EQ. Another way Samples can be used is by using them as a loop. This means to take a short sample and repeat it continuously, almost like creating a beat and also sound like they are played together on the same track. Percussion samples are commonly looped in order to create a drum beat from various different drum samples.

Reverse

I used this affect to reverse my samples. What this does is flips the track round and plays the sample backwards. Here is an example of me applying the reverse affect to a sample. 

https://soundcloud.com/user-69480508/reverse-example 

Pitch Shift 

Pitch shift is when you take a sample and key the key or notes within the sample. This will enable you to make the sample sound high or lower than the original sample/track. Here is an example of me apply Pitch Shift to a sample, making it higher and then lower.

https://soundcloud.com/user-69480508/pitch-shift-example 

Time Stretch 

This affect makes the duration of the sample longer than the original. This affect can make the sample sound slower or fast the normal. Here is an example of the original sample when sped up and when slowed down. 

https://soundcloud.com/user-69480508/time-stretch-example

Unit 49, Brief 3

Creative Arrangement 

The song I have chosen to to is 'Happy' and I shall be changing the genre into Reggae. The instruments I have used to create this track is steel drums, bass guitar, guitar and piano. When making this track, I tried to use as many Reggae features as possible, such as; off the beat rhythms, simple chord sequences, 4/4 rhythm pattern.

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora.A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals "Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use the word "reggae," effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that was strongly influenced by traditional mento as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues, especially the New Orleans R&B practiced by Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint, and evolved out of the earlier genres ska and rocksteady. Reggae usually relates news, social gossip, and political comment. Reggae spread into a commercialized jazz field, being known first as ‘Rudie Blues’, then ‘Ska’, later ‘Blue Beat’, and ‘Rock Steady’.It is instantly recognizable from the counterpoint between the bass and drum downbeat, and the offbeat rhythm section. The immediate origins of reggae were in ska and rock steady; from the latter, reggae took over the use of the bass as a percussion instrument.

Texture - At the beginning of my track, I started off with a steel drum 'solo' rhythm, which can be heard  in most other Reggae songs. The after this, all the other instruments, guitar, bass guitar, and piano come in. The drums continue playing a simple rhythm. I used to guitar to play the main melody to the song. I used the bass guitar to provide a bass line and to add depth to the piece. Finally, I then used the piano to play simple chords throughout the track I created.
Structure  - With the track I created, I only notated the verse to this song.

1: Pre-Production Techniques for the Creative Media Industries

What is the type of Production?

The type of production I will be completing will be a sequencing task. I will be doing a sound recording of Five Colors in Her Hair by Busted. I will be doing this project on Cubase to be able to record all the separate parts so that they can be played together. To be able to complete this project I will need to find scores (sheet music) for all the instruments present in the original recording. I will find this by searching for sheet music on Google, and buying any missing sheet music I may need online. I chose to complete a sound recording task as I thought the quality would be better than a sequenced task. I think this is because the sounds off all the instruments will be genuine, and not just sampled effects. With an actually recording, you get all the sounds, such as string sliding on guitars, whereas with sampling you wouldn't get these realistic sounds. When carrying out this task, I will have to take copyright issues on board. This meaning I will somehow have to get in contact with the original artist of the song to ask for permission in order to be able to publish the song so that we can make money from producing the song. This will avoid us from being sued. However, once we gain copyrights this will mean that 50% of the earning and royalties will go to the original artist.

Who is your client?

My Client will be a person called Ben. He does covers on YouTube, and asked me to help him provide a professionally recorded cover to be able to upload to his channel. He plays a wide range of instruments, such as; guitar, bass and drums and shall even be providing the vocals. 

What is the budget for your production?

The budget for this project is £1000. We don’t expect to spend this amount of money, but if the project turns out to cost more than expected, then there will be more than enough money to be able to complete it. The things that we need to put money towards will be; studio hire, transport, sheet music prices ect. Due to the project type, I’ve estimated that it will take at least a week to sequence and record vocals for the track. The recording studio that I am using, in Birmingham, charges £35 per hour, and then the studio have a deal that costs £200 which allows up to 12 hours. To hire the studio for a week (5 days), this would cost £1000. We will not need to purchase equipment such as microphones; this is because the recording studio provides all the microphones that we will need.

What production and post-production equipment do you require?

In order to complete this project, I will need a computer with the Cubase software on. This is because this is the software that I will be using to input notes on to tracks in order for me to create the music for my client. Because this project is for a singer, I will also need to book a studio in order for me to record the vocals as well. For this, all I am going to need is a microphone = (SM58) and a Pop Shield. For the post-production equipment, all I will need is, again, a computer that has the software 'Cubase' on. This is because I am going to need this software in order for tracks and me to mix and edit vocals, such as changing the EQ, adding compression etc.

What personnel are required?

I need the client for the recording. This is because Ben plays all of the instruments needed in the recording to be able to complete the project.

What other materials do you require?

I require a full score of the song that I am sequencing; this is so that I can input all the notes from the score on the tracks on Cubase to be able to form the song.

How will you finance your project?

I will be financing this project on my own, with help from the client. We have agreed that we will split the costs of the production 50 – 50. We are financing with our own money as we hope that we will get most, if not more of the money back when we decide to release the cover. We also have decided to set paid gigs for myself and the singer to we can raise money for us to be able to produce the project. The things that I will need to put money into are; hire of recording studios

What is your transport requirement?

I will not require any transport as we both have access to lifts. This means we would have no trouble issues transporting equipment around and getting to the recording studios and any other relevant places.

What talent do you require?

All I require is the client, in order for me to record her/him singing to the "backing track" that I have created. I will require the singer to turn up to all recording sessions on time; this is so we can save money on the hire of the recording studio. This is because we organize a 4-hour recording session starting at 10pm and the singer turns up half an hour later, then we will have to pay for an extra hour to cover the time missed. I will also require the singer to be practicing the song so that we are messing around learning the words whilst we should be recording. By doing this, we should be able to get the vocals recording quicker, and get it done all in one take. I require the singer to have knowledge on harmonies. This is because I plan on using the singer to record both main and backing vocals, and to be able to record backing vocals, the singer music be able to harmonies in order for the recording to sound of a professional quality.

What crew do you require?

I require many people for me to be able to complete this project. I will need someone to set up the microphones once we get to the recording studio in order to record the vocals. This person will be important, as this way I will be able to record and achieve high quality vocals. I will also need someone will need someone who will be in control of the recording desk, e.g. sorting out levels for the recording.

What facilities hire is required?

I will need to hire a recording studio in order for me to input my notes into Cubase and record the vocals for my project. I have been searching for local recording studios and have been able to find one called 'The Playhaus'. Looking at the prices, they charge £35 per hour.

What copyright issues need to be addressed?

To be able to release this cover once it is 100% complete, we will somehow need to get in contact with the original artist of the song. This is to remove any issues involving copyright. Copyright is one of the main types of intellectual property - others include designs, patents and trademarks. Intellectual property allows a person to own things they create in the same way, as something physical can be owned. It is the right to prevent others copying or reproducing someone's work. By getting permission from the original artist, this will prevent us from getting sued, which we don’t want as then this project would turn out to be very expensive to produce and release.

Which regulatory issues need to be addressed?

In case the client is ill for any reason, I will need to get in contact with a few other singers who would be able to fill in so that we are behind schedule. I will also need to find other back up Recording Studios just in case our chosen recording studio is not available, for example if the studio is shut for any reason such as electrical issues.

Risk Assessment

Risk Rating Score Key
Rating	Severity of Risk	Review
1-2	Acceptable Risk – no action required.	Every 1-2 Years
3-4	Slight Risk – monitor only, no action required.	Every 18 Months
5-6	Minor Risk – Reduce is reasonably practicable.	Every Year
7-8	Moderate Risk – Risk required reducing.	Every 6 Months
10-15	High Risk – priority action to be undertaken but interim arrangements required immediately.	After interim arrangements, every 3 months.
16-25	Unacceptable Risk – action to be take immediately.	Immediately

 

Hazard			Who Might be Harmed?			Control Measures		Risk Rating	Informing Others	Review Date
Where is the Risk?	What is the Risk?	Likelihood	Who will it Harm?	How will it Harm them?	Risk Severity	Precautions	Risk Severity
Electricity	This hazard involved people putting their fingers into plug sockets or placing other items that may have the ability to conduct electricity into plug sockets.	1	The risk will affect anyone who has access to a live plug socket.	If a person places their finger or a conductive item into a plug socket, this could cause the person to suffer from an electric shock, which in some cases is very serious.	3	Ways in which to eliminate any risk of causing electric shocks could be things such as educating people on the severity of putting a finger or object into a plug socket and educate people on the effects and outcomes. Another way to eliminate risks could be to put plug covers in all plug sockets that are not being used to avoid people putting fingers or objects in the sockets to start with.	3	3 – Slight Risk; monitor only, no action required.	By informing people on the risks of electricity and electrical shocks. Delivering a presentation on the facts and how to avoid situations like this happening.	Every 18 Months
Recording Studio – Wires and cables	This hazard involves people tripping over wires and/or cables when they are not put away correctly or at all (left lying around).	4	This hazard will affect anyone who is using the recording studio. This includes; The person singing, the person who will be setting up all the equipment, and the people who will be playing the instruments.	If a person trips over cables/wires, this could cause someone serious injuries. A person could fall and hit their head or/and another part of his or her body that could cause serious injury and could even cause someone to break a bone.	4	To completely eliminate this risk of this hazard happening, cables that are not in use should be but away, so that they are not on the floor or anywhere that could cause someone to trip. Cables/wires that are not in use should be kept in a box in a cupboard/storage unit. Cables/wires that ARE in use must be taped to the floor to ensure that they are not traipsing on the floor.	2	8 – Moderate risk; risk requires reducing.	By showing people to correct way to store and keep cables/wires that are not in use, this risk would no longer be present. Make sure that everyone using the studio ensures that they put all ensured wires/cables away. Also ensure that whoever is handling the wires/cables in order to use them knows how and why to tape them to the floor to ensure that no one is able to trip over them.	Every 6 Months.
Recording Studio/Room of Setup – Heavy Lifting	This risk involves anyone who may be lifting heavy items such as parts of a drum kit or even instruments such as pianos.	4	This hazard will affect anyone who is helping in carrying items to the recording studio in order for us to record. This includes people carrying parts of the drum kit, heavy instruments such as a piano, boxes of cables/wires and storage units of microphones.	If a person were to heavy lift incorrectly, this could cause them many injuries; such as bad backs or pulled muscles.	4	A precaution to take is to make sure that everyone who is helping in carrying equipment knows how to heavy lift to start with. People could also make sure the have a wheel carrier at all times to transport heavy items on wheels instead of carrying them. Depending on how heavy the items are, a person should always make sure that they have another person to assist in carrying items to reduce their weight on one person. People should also ensure that the storage unit for microphones and cables/wires are on wheels to prevent having to carry anything.	2	8 – Moderate Risk; risk requires reducing.	To minimalize this risk, a presentation or attending a heavy lifting course should be put in place. By doing this, people will be informed on how to lift heavy items properly so that they wont be able to injure themselves. This way, people will be less at risk at sustaining an injury.	Every 6 Months.
Recording Studio – Fires	This risk involves faulty electrical items causing fires.	5	This risk could harm people in the actually Recording Studio. Depending of the severity of the fire, this could also affect everyone who may be in the same building as the fire.	This could harm people in multiple ways; someone could sustain burn injuries, lung injuries from breathing in smoke or broken bones, cuts or scrapes if parts of the building were to fall down.	5	The precautions for this risk would be to get all electrical equipment PAT (portable appliance testing) tested. This is a test that a professional will come and do on all electrical items to ensure that they are safe to use. In case you are awake that some items may not be PAT tested, keep them in a plastic box, this is because plastic will not cause the wires/cables to spark and cause fires.	2	10 – High Risk; priority action to be undertaken but interim arrangements required immediately.	In order to minimalize these risks, all people should be aware of PAT testing and the importance of getting electrical equipment tested. People using he electrical equipment, such as XLR leads, should be encourages to NOT use any equipment that they are not sure to whether they have been tested to prevent sparks and fires.	After interim arrangements, Every 3 months.
Recording Studio - Instruments	This risk involves tripping over instruments, or possibly bumping into the instruments and as a result causing injury others.	3	This risk will harm anyone who will be using the recording studio, where the instruments will be kept.	This could harm people in a few ways; it could either cause a person to trip and fall over the instruments, causing bumps, cuts, bruises, or in some serious cases head injury or broken bones depending on how the person falls and what they fall into/onto.	4	The precautions to this risk involve putting instruments on racks. For example, putting guitars on guitar racks instead of propping them against walls. This is because by doing this, a person could trip over the guitars, and could even damage the instruments in the process. The main precaution is to make sure that all instruments are kept in places away from the floor to avoid tripping.	2	12 - High Risk – priority action to be undertaken but interim arrangements required immediately.	This risk can be minimalize by telling before using the studio that they are to put all instruments away after use and the importance of doing so. Putting up signs in the recording studio, above instrument racks storage, telling people to put their instruments away, could also minimalize it.	After interim arrangements, Every 3 months.