Music Technology Final Written Exam

Music Technology Assessment

• The final written exam is scheduled for 1st July 2024, 10AM-12PM, consisting of 3 sections: Multiple Choice Questions, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and Question & Answer.

Digital Synthesizers

• The first digital synthesizer was called the Yamaha DX7.
• Digital synthesizers played a crucial role in popular music, offering new sounds and textures that were not possible with traditional instruments.

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

• MIDI became a standard in the 1980s, allowing different devices to sync and control each other.
• MIDI standardized the communication between electronic musical instruments and computers.

Music Distribution

• The Walkman popularized portable cassette players.
• CDs replaced vinyl records and cassette tapes as the primary medium for music distribution in the 1980s.
• CDs offered higher audio quality and durability compared to vinyl records and cassette tapes.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

• DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation.
• Pro Tools is primarily used for digital audio editing and recording.
• Pro Tools allows users to start a new project by selecting 'File' > 'New Session'.
• The shortcut for recording in Pro Tools is 'R'.
• The 'Mixer' window in Pro Tools is used to adjust the levels, panning, and effects of each track.

Sibelius

• Sibelius is primarily used for music notation and composition.
• The key command 'P' opens the playback window in Sibelius.
• To add a new instrument to a score in Sibelius, select 'Add or Remove Instruments' from the 'Home' tab.
• The 'Lines' panel in Sibelius allows users to create a crescendo.
• The 'Key Signatures' panel in the 'Notations' tab allows users to change the key signature.
• The 'Inspector' tool in Sibelius allows users to modify the properties of selected objects.
• The shortcut for saving work in Sibelius is Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac).

Music Notation

• To create a new score in Sibelius, follow these steps: open Sibelius, select 'File' > 'New', choose a template or create a custom score by selecting instruments, set the key and time signatures, and then click 'Create'.
• Sibelius helps composers and arrangers by streamlining the composition process, improving accuracy, and making it easier to share music with performers and collaborators.

Transposition

• To transpose a passage in Sibelius, select the passage, go to the 'Note Input' tab, and click 'Transpose'.
• Choose the interval and direction of transposition, and Sibelius will automatically adjust the notes and key signature accordingly.

Virtual Instruments

• Virtual instruments in Pro Tools allow composers to add a wide range of sounds without needing physical instruments.
• Virtual instruments can be played and recorded via MIDI, offering flexibility and creative options for enhancing the composition with diverse timbres and textures.

Audio Effects

• Common audio effects in Pro Tools include reverb, delay, EQ, compression, and distortion.
• These effects are used to shape the sound of recordings, enhance the mix, and create various sonic textures.