Computer Music: Project 2

Date due: See the Class Schedule for the due date of Project 2.

For your 2nd Project you will create cues (tracks) for a QuickTime movie using the application SoundTrack. In addition, you will program a music performance tool using the application Isadora and incorporate original music which you play on Isadora as cues (along with other soundfiles you select and create) to the Movie.

Project 2 is in TWO separate parts: (1) your finished Isadora Performance file (Project2Controller); (2) Your completed SoundTrack Movie and all related files including an EXPORTED MIXED self-contained QuickTime Movie. All parts of your Project2 should be saved on a CD and submitted along with a Written Project Summary. The Project Summary must be in a hard-copy form even if you include it as a file on your CD.

The MINIMUM requirements are described in each section below. Going beyond the minimum requirements and adding your own CREATIVITY will be rewarded. To get an A on your Project2 you must include your own CREATIVE portions which go beyond the MINIMUM requirements and these must be adequately described in your Written Summary.

The project will be submitted by:

1. copying your files onto a CD
2. printing a HARD COPY of your Written Summary which describes your work and includes your CUE SHEET
3. submitting your CD and printed Written Summary in an 8.5 x 11 manila envelope to the Instructor's mailbox at the Blair School of Music (2400 Blakemore Ave.)

Part I (organizing your Project CD) (10%)

Part II (the Isadora Performance File) (20%)

Part III (the Soundtrack File) (40%)

Part IV (the exported QUICKTIME Movie) (10)%

Part V (the Cue Sheet) (10%)

Part VI (the Written Summary) (10%)

How Your Project Will Be Graded

Checklist for Project 2

SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECT

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Part I (organizing your STUDENT FOLDER and your Project CD) - 10% of your overall Project2 grade

All your Project2 files should be kept in a folder in the Shared Folder called: Project2.YourLastName (for example, Project2.Landes). When you get ready to copy your final Project2 files to your CD for submission, you should copy your entire Project2 folder. In the event that your Project2 folder exceeds about 700 MB, then you will have to delete any files which you do not use in your finished project, particularly sound files, movie files, and any BACKUP COPIES of your Project which you may have created.

Here are the specific FOLDERS you should create in your Project2 folder:

1. Documents [Put your Written Summary here, along with any the Cue Sheet, and any other relevant documents.]

2. Project2Controller [This is where your Isadora file goes, along with the Media Folder which might contain midi files, soundfiles, pictures, etc., which you use in Isadora. DO NOT put the Media folder in some other directory, and definitely DO NOT move the Media folder once you place files from in into Isadora.]

3. Soundfiles [for ALL miscel. soundfiles other than LOOPS and SPECIAL EFFECTS samples]

4. FinalExam [This is where any required programming files for the Final Exam should be stored.]

5. Movies [This is where the original copy of your Project 2 movie may reside. However, when you 'Save Collected' a copy of it will be copied to the the top of the directory. Then when you Export the final MOVIE, a new version of the Project2Movie will be created at the top of the directory which then contains all the mixed tracks of your project.

6. Any other Folders you think are relevant.

With the CURRENT version of SoundTrack Pro, when you 'Save Collected', all linked soundfiles and movies will be COPIED to the top of the directory along with the main SoundTrack Pro document. Consequently, there may end up being MANY individual files at the top of your main directory -- and THAT'S OK! As long as you name your Project, "Project2.YourLastName" I will be able to find it.

Here is a screen-shot of what your Project2 Folder might look like:

You DEFINITELY need to copy specific files into the appropriate folder inside your Project2 folder BEFORE you link the file to Isadora. Once the files are linked, they should not be moved or you will get error massages when you try to open the application which uses those files. Also, once you 'Save Collected' and linked files are copied to the top of the directory, undo NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you rename, or move any of these files or your SoundTrack Pro document will not be able to recognize them the next time you open it and you may end up losing all your work.

If you wait until you finish your Project and then try to organize your Project2 folder, you will discover that your entire project will probably be ruined and you may have to start over again. So -- organize your Project2 Folder FIRST THING!!

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Part II (the Isadora Performance Tool) - 20% of your overall Project2 grade

Name your Isadora file: Project2PerformanceTool.izz ("izz" is the Isadora file extension and will automatically be added to the file name when you save it).

The Isadora Performance Tool is an Isadora file which you will create and will contain a variety of programming techniques demonstrated in class. Here is a list of the MINIMUM features your Isadora file must contain to get the grade of B on your Project:

- demonstrate a minimum of 2 MIDI channels (2 pts.)
- play notes on at least one row of keys on your computer keyboard (2 pts.)
- send program changes on at least 2 MIDI channels (2 pts.)
- have these control changes implemented on at least 2 MIDI channels: (3 pts.)

modulation
channel volume
pan

- have an ALL-NOTES-OFF feature for ALL MIDI channels you use (2 pts.)

- an automatic process -- the absolute minimum is the one demonstrated in class: play random notes (although, you can be more creative than this). (3 pts.)

- a note sequencer (2 pts.) -- may be omitted if the bug in Isadora is not fixed.
- a step sequencer (2 pts.)
- play sound files (2 pts.)

- a WELL ORGANIZED and WELL DOCUMENTED Control Panel. At the very least it should have
these features:

1. a Title along with your name and the Date you finished the Isadora Controller
2. Comments which describe every process. For example:

- program changes
- control changes
- how your Auto-Process works
- what key implements your Step Sequencer
- etc., etc.,

Here are some ideas for adding 'unique' and 'creative' features to your Isadora controller:

- Create an automatic process which is more elaborate than just playing an endless string of random notes. For example, also send randomized program changes, pans, key velocities, etc. You could implement some type of "controlled" randomness which uses stochastic processes related to the field of statistics. See stochastic.

- Add a second or third row of keys to play notes on separate MIDI channels

- Have a feature which plays chords as well as single notes.

- more ideas that you will come up with......

Exactly HOW much extra do you have to add to increase your grade to an A? If there is any doubt, please ask the instructor. However, if your idea is to add as little as possible, then your personal creativity is weak and will probably result in a grade of B+ or A-

If there is any doubt on the part of the Instructor as to whether you have exceeded the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, then you HAVE NOT exceeded them. If you have any doubts, then include extra creative material and document it in your Written Summary.

Part III (the Soundtrack File) - 40% of your overall Project2 grade

To complete this portion of the project, you will add CUES to a QuickTime movie using the application, Soundtrack After you have completed all your CUES in Soundtrack, you will EXPORT a MIXED self-contained QuickTime movie and submit this along with the original Soundtrack file as part of your overall Project. All related files for your Project 2 should be copied to a CDRW and submitted along with a printed Written Summary.

You may choose your own movie or you may use an existing movie provided by the professor. If you choose your own movie, it must be approved by the Professor and should be at least 45 seconds in length and any existing audio tracks should be deleted.

Here are the MINIMUM criteria for completing this part of Project2:

- 45 (approx.) second QuickTime movie
- 10 special effects cues
- 1 background music cue which you sample from a CD
- 2 loop tracks (from the Soundtrack Loops folder). See below.
- 1 cue which consists of your own recorded voice
- instances of 2 Soundtrack effects (eg., reverb, chorus, etc.)
- instances of 2 Soundtrack envelopes (e.g., panning, volume)
- music which you record from your ISADORA Project2Controller

The 'loop files' can be found on your computer hard drive at this path:

Wilson/Library/Audio/Apple Loops/Apple Loops for Soundtrack Pro/

There should be a minimum of 15 CUE POINTS with markers and the markers should be NAMED appropriately.

Additional CUES can be included at the discretion of the student and these should be DESCRIBED IN DETAIL in your Written Summary. The grading of additional cues is described below.

Before you export your Movie, check to see if there is any CLIPPING in the audio. There will be a deduction of 5 points for each instance of clipping either in the SoundTrack file or the exported movie file.

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Part IV (the Exported QUICKTIME Movie) - 10% of your overall Project2 grade

Here are the MINIMUM criteria for completing this part of Project2:

- 45 (approx.) second QuickTime movie
- 10 special effects cues
- 1 background music cue which you sample from a CD
- 2 loop tracks (from the Soundtrack Loops folder)
- 1 cue which consists of your own recorded voice
- instances of 2 Soundtrack effects (eg., reverb, chorus, etc.)
- instances of 2 Soundtrack envelopes (e.g., panning, volume)
- music which you record from your ISADORA Project2Controller

There should be a minimum of 15 CUE POINTS with markers and the markers should be NAMED appropriately.

Additional CUES can be included at the discretion of the student and these should be DESCRIBED IN DETAIL in your Written Summary. The grading of additional cues is described below.

Before you export your Movie, check to see if there is any CLIPPING in the audio. There will be a deduction of 5 points for each instance of clipping either in the SoundTrack file or the exported movie file.

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Part V (the Cue Sheet) - 10% of your overall Project2 grade

A "Cue Sheet" is a written outline of the cues you plan to use in your movie. You should prepare a "rough-draft" Cue Sheet before you begin adding any cues to your movie. Of course, this is only a starting point and you will probably be adding additional cues to your CUE SHEET as you work on your movie. The "rough-draft" version of your Cue Sheet should be handed in as a Homework Assignment.

A well-organized CUE SHEET will describe specific cues and give the SMPTE location. For example:

00:00:00:00 Background music1 starts

00:00:10:02 Baseball player strikes the ball. Special FX sound: bat hits the ball

etc.........

Your completed Cue Sheet which you include with your finished Project should describe the MINIMUM cues as listed above as well as any additional cues which you would like the Professor to evaluate as part of your "additional material/creative work."

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Part VI (the Written Summary) - 10% of your overall Project2 grade

You should prepare a written summary which describes your Project. This summary should include such information as:

- A BRIEF description of each section of your Isadora Project2Controller (see above).

- A detailed description of any process or function which you added to your Isadora file above and beyond the minimum requirements.

- A BRIEF description of the MINIMUM CUES you added to your movie.

- A PARAGRAPH describing the overall SCOPE of your completed SoundTrack file including any artistic decisions you made to assemble it.

- A PARAGRAPH describing how you made your project UNIQUE and CREATIVE.

DO NOT include printouts of the various Isadora Scenes. I will be able to see those for myself when I examine your Isadora file. However, if you significantly altered or added routines to the basic Isadora Scenes, then please describe your work so you will get full credit for your creativity.

The written summary should be approx. 3 - 4 double-spaced typed pages with a cover page and your Cue Sheet and should be submitted in "hard-copy" form. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. Maximum font size should be 12 points, for example 12 Times. E-mailed documents will not be accepted.

Your completed written summary should include the following:

Title page (1 page)

Body of the paper (3 -4 double-spaced typed pages), or more if you have lots of sounds.

An introductory paragraph which describes your project and your finished movie. Think of this as a short ABSTRACT which anyone could read and understand something about the background of your project, its possible impact on the listener, and anything else you think appropriate.

A listing and description of specific CUES you used in this format:

Special Effects Cue 1: Lightning Flash (location 00:5:22). I found this sound in the SoundIdeas folder which is located in the Apple Loops for SoundTrack Pro. The sound is 1 seconds long. I manipulated the sound in Amadeus II by adding echo. In Soundtrack I added reverb and chorus and panned the sound to the left speaker.

Special Effects Cue 2: Automobile Engine (location 00:7:04). I found this sound in the SoundIdeas folder which is located in the Apple Loops for SoundTrack Pro. The sound is 2 seconds long. See the original sound on my CD in the folder, "SoundEffects". In Soundtrack Pro I added reverb and chorus and panned the sound to from left to right speaker.

Special Effects Cue 3: .............

.

.

.

Background Music Cue: .............

SoundTrack Loop Cue1: ............

SoundTrack Loop Cue2: ............

.

.

My Voice Recorded Cue: ...........

Isadora Music Cue1: .........

Isadora Music Cue2: .........

Isadora Music Cue3: .........

.

.

.

[Any other cue you want to list] 1:

[Any other cue you want to list] 2:

[Any other cue you want to list] 3:

[Any other cue you want to list] 4:

.

.

.

Two concluding paragraphs which describe:

How I made my Project uniquely original: I used a total or 35 cues including 7 extra Special Effects sounds. I used a total of 6 SoundTrack Loop files, 5 Ear Shot Sampler files and 4 of my own recorded sounds. I recorded 5 short music examples using my Isadora Performance File and these are located as cue points at........

Techniques demonstrated in class which I used in my Project: My Isadora File incorporates all the required minimum Scenes. In addition, I experimented with several of the automatic processes which were demonstrated in class but which are not documented in any of the tutorials, particularly, .....

I added one additional scene which is my unique contribution to the Project. This scene is entitled, "Algorithms" and is designed to demonstrate several of Isadora's actors which were not demonstrated in class. The Isadora User Manual was particularly helpful here in discovering other techniques which I could use in my Project....

The Cue Sheet (1 -2 pages)

Total: 5-6 pages (including the Title Page and Cue Sheet).

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How Your Project Will Be Graded

A Project which meets the minimum requirements (using the minimum number of cues, your Isadora file has the minimum number of scenes and only uses the actors/procedures described in the Tutorials with no additional creative material, etc.) will result in the grade of B (86).

The grade of A+ (100) will be reserved for only the most outstanding Projects.

Going beyond the minimum requirements with a well-written Summary, well organized CD, and an interesting, creative SoundTrack Movie File will result in the grade of A (96).

If there are any doubts on the part of the Professor regarding whether you have met or exceeded the minimum requirements, then the decision will be made that you HAVE NOT. If you have doubts, please add more original material and document it well in your Paper.

The grading ratio of the Project will be:

Organizing your Project2 Folder on your submitted CD (10%)

Your Project2 Folder should be organized on your submitted CD as described above. The three required files (SoundTrack, Exported QuickTime Movie, Isadora) should be at the top of the directory and should be clearly named WITH YOUR LASTNAME as part of the file, for example: Project2.Landes.mov; Project2.Landes.loop; Project2Controller.Landes. All soundfiles, MIDI files, special effects sounds, etc., should be located in their appropriate folders.

A submitted CD which is not organized well (for example, all files are in the same directory with no sub-directories) will not receive any credit for this requirement.

Isadora File (20%)

All required parts are included (see above) and they work. Any process which does not work for whatever reason will result in at least a 1 point deduction. The FIVE required process are worth 20% each for this portion of your grade. The OPTIONAL process will be considered as part of the CREATIVE aspect of your project.

Have you demonstrated ALL the required minimum processes? See above for a breakdown of the minimum expectations.

Is your Control Panel well organized and well documented with adequate comments?

Soundtrack pro File (50%)

You met the MINIMUM requirements. MINIMUM cues are documented with MARKERS in the Soundtrack File. You EXPORTED a MIXED self-contained QuickTime movie and it WORKS with no problems. Your Soundtrack file and all related files are ORGANIZED in folders and copied to a CDRW which is presented along with your Written Summary.

Additional CUES will be considered as part of the CREATIVE aspect of your project and should be adequately described in your WRITTEN SUMMARY.

When you SAVE your SoundTrack pro file for the FINAL time in order to prepare to copy your Project2 folder onto a CD, you should save the project AS COLLECTED FILES. Otherwise, I will not be able to open your SoundTrack pro file on my computer when I am ready to grade your project. Be sure to test the SoundTrack pro file on your burned CD before you submit it. If i cannot open your SoundTrack pro file, EASILY you will have points deducted from your Project2 grade (see below).

Cue Sheet(10%)

If you adequately describe the MINIMUM CUES you will receive full credit for this section. "Adequately describe" means that you include each of these for EACH cue:

- the SMPTE location
- VERY brief description of the action at the cue point
- the CUE as an associated MARKER in the Soundtrack file
- you describe the type of sound you added at the cue point

Written Summary (10%)

Paper is not well organized and not easy to read (-10 points)

Multiple spelling errors or sloppy formatting (-5 points)

[Highest grade for hastily written paper, 1 page: 1%]

[Highest grade for hastily written paper, 2 pages: 4%]

Other Possible deducted points:

You submitted your project in a file folder instead of a manila envelope (-25 points)

You didn't write your name, email address, and telephone # directly on the CD with a permanent marker (-25 points)

You did not organize the folders well on your CD (-5 points)

No cover page on your paper (-2 points)

Your Written Summary is rambling prose which is not easy to follow and has no obvious sections describing the MINIMUM requirements (-10 points)

Your SoundTrack file or QuickTime movie file does not play on another computer because it is missing some required files or the CD directory is incompatible with your SoundTrack or QuickTime Movie file (-15 points)

Your cue sheet was hastily done, is not detailed, well organized, or hard to follow (-10 points)

Some of your Isadora actors or controls do not function (-2 points each)

One of your Isadora scenes does not work at all (-5 points)

You did not add anything original or creative (-10 points)

It is difficult (or impossible) to open the SoundTrack pro file on your CD because you did not save the document AS COLLECTED FILES. If I cannot open the SoundTrack pro file at all you will not get any credit for that portion of your Project. If I have to hunt through your CD to find the linked files, you will have at least 10 points deducted from the final Project 2 grade.

[More to follow soon....]

Movie projects created in other classes will not be accepted for this class. All submitted material must be original work for this class (MUSC 216). If you have created your own MOVIE in another class, that MOVIE may be approved for use in this class. However, no sound tracks or cues which you have created for an original movie in another class can be used in this class.

You must use the application SoundTrack to create your Project2 movie. Projects created on other applications such as Final Cut Pro, DeckII, etc. will not be accepted.

All Projects must be submitted on CDR (not DVD) and the include the required files:

1. Isadora Project2Controller
2. SoundTrack file (your movie with all tracks and cue points)
3. Exported QuickTime Movie file
4. All related soundfiles

Your Project2 SoundTrack file and QuickTime Movie file must play when your Project2 folder is copied to another computer. If you submit your project on CD and it is missing some required files or the CD directory is incompatible with your SoundTrack or QuickTime Movie file, there will be an automatic 15 point deduction from your final Project 2 grade.

Other factors which could adversely affect your grade:

1. All parts of the Project are not submitted together.
2. Your CD didn't copy correctly and won't mount.
3. You have CLIPPING in your SoundTrack file and/or exported Movie (-5 pts. for each instance)

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CHECKLIST for the various aspects of Project 2

1. Your Project2 Folder is ORGANIZED WELL as described above.
2. Your Isadora Project file
3. Your Project2 SoundTrack movie
4. Your Project2 exported QuickTime movie
5. Your Written Summary (including your Cue Sheet)
6. All related soundfiles (organized well)
7. You have met the minimum requirements for the length of the movie and various cues
8. You have added some additional CREATIVE features.
9. Your written summary has a title page, introductory paragraph, clearly organized listing of cues, creative work, etc., concluding paragraphs describing your creative work and and how you used techniques described in class.
10. You are submitting the various parts of your Project2 together in a MANILA ENVELOPE (a file folder is unacceptable and will result in a lowering of your grade -- see below).
11. Your CD and manila envelop have your NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, and TELEPHONE NUMBER.

SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECT

Please see the Class Schedule for the due date of Project 2.

1. These are the EXACT files which you must include on your Project2 CD:

- A Project Folder with all related soundfiles (except for SoundTrack Loop files) which you used in your Project..

- Your original SoundTrack pro File.

- The ORIGINAL movie you placed into your SoundTrack pro document. You need to include this on your Project 2 CD or I won't be able to see the movie when I evaluate your Project.

- Your MIXED and EXPORTED QuickTime Movie file. From SoundTrack pro under the file pulldown menu, choose Export with Compressor. Select the option, "Preserve Original Movie". Name the file something like, "Project2.YourLastName". Click the EXPORT button.

- Any related soundfiles and other files (such as SYD files) which you think appropriate and which can serve as documentation for your "creativity."

- A file COPY of your Written Summary (Word Document preferred; PDF file acceptable).

2. Test your Project CD on a Macintosh computer in the Electronic Classroom. CD's which are submitted and do not mount on a Macintosh computer may DRASTICALLY affect your Project2 grade.

3. Submit your Project2 by putting your CD with related files and printed Written Summary in an 8.5 x 11" MANILLA ENVELOPE. A file folder is unacceptable and will result in significant reduction of your grade. The purpose of an ENVELOPE instead of a folder is so your project materials will be enclosed and protected -- in other words, they won't fall out. Make sure the following information is printed on the OUTSIDE of the ENVELOPE:

- your name
- your email address
- your phone number

If possible, use a manila envelope that has a wire tab for closing the flap and DON 'T seal the envelope with a glued flap.

Also make sure your name, email address and phone number are clearly marked on the CD with a permanent marker.

This describes the EXACT contents of the MANILLA ENVELOPE you submit:

- Project CD with all your files
- Written Summary
- Printed CUE SHEET

4. Bring your Project to the Blair School of Music Office before the deadline described in the Class Schedule and ask the receptionist to place it in the Instructor's mail box. Please note: the Blair School of Music Office closes at 5:00 p.m. No material of ANY KIND will be accepted after the deadline for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

If you are doing an EXTRA CREDIT Project, it is also due by the deadline for Project2 as described in the Class Schedule. No material of ANY KIND will be accepted after the deadline for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

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