Please read carefully and pay attention to instructions in class. Grade 11s (AMM3M1) and Grade 10s (AMM2O1) have different projects.
Grade 10:
Introduction to Mixcraft
Open Mixcraft 6 from the desktop or in the program menu.
You will be creating a 12 bar composition using sound loops that has a Beginning, Middle, and End.
Objectives:
- To learn the basic functions of Mixcraft including, start-up, library, loops, tracks, editing editing length of loops.
- Experimenting with track volume, pan, and FX including Mastering (Compressor).
- Mixing down to MP3.
Instructions:
- Open a new project. (File: New Project)
- When prompted, name your project FIRST! Project 1 Your Name
- Select "Build Loop and Beat Matched Music"
- Open the Loop Library Tab.
- Label your tracks as in the photo.
- Undock the library to make it easier to navigate.
- Sort by: Instrument
- Choose Drums. Note the way they are organized by Name, Tempo, # Bars, Instrument, and Style.
- Find a loop that is 4 bars long. "Audition" the Sounds by pressing the play button.
- Drag the name of the loop into the track pane when you have chosen a sound or sounds.
- Now find, another, different 4 bar sound. Drag it into the same Track beside your first.
- Repeat this process again until you have 3 different 4 bar drum loops for a total of 12 bars.
- Now select the loop button.
- Now choose "Bass" as your instrument and repeat this process in a new track until you have 3 different 4 bar bass loops for a total of 12 bars. Put the bass loops right above the drum loops.
- Repeat for a Chord instrument like Guitar or Piano and a melody instrument of your choice. Here is an example what a complete project will look like.
NEW! Adjusting Volume, Pan, and Effects
- After your project is done, you will make adjustments to the volume levels in order to balance the sounds of your project. Watch the demo to understand. Here are some screenshots to help you afterwards.
Grade 11s:
- You will a song using loops in an AABA form.
- Each section is 8 bars long using Drums, Bass, chord instrument and Melody.
- You will be composing a melody for you song using MIDI keyboard.
- Remember to write your melody in 4 bar phrases.
- Choose a tempo for your song that is not the standard 120BPM
- You will use Track volume, pan, effects and Mastering before completing composition.
- Mixdown to MP3 and submit as Mixcraft and MP3 format.
Objectives:
- Review use of program.
- Review concepts of A section and B section.
- Review concepts of melody and phrases.
- Review use of mastering and effects.
You must select the KEY of your song as C in order to use the C major scale notes in your song.
Make sure all your loops match this key.
C Major Scale Notes
Choosing the key of your song.
