15 OPUS 4: MIDI “acoustic” styles project
Assignment: Opus 4: MIDI “acoustic” styles project – three different instruments
Create a midi piece that uses three different instruments each with their own approach to a specific chord progression and style done in an ‘idiomatic’ manner. (Your choice of whether the three ideas are for solo instruments OR for an ensemble (all can play at same time)
- Create a chord progression (suggest using the Chord Trigger to practice) – for example: C F G C OR C D G C
- Track 1: An acoustic instrument of a specific family (piano, pitched percussion, guitar, woodwind, string, brass, etc.) using your chord progression
- Track 2: A different instrument from a different family – use the same chord progression and create a styling that fits
- Track 3: same progression with new instrument
SUBMISSION: (1) Logic Pro project with description in the notepad
Opus 4 Objectives
- Using a MIDI-supporting DAW, create tracks (musical parts) that ‘fit’ together (musically and technically)
- Create using multiple MIDI regions
- Edit MIDI to create acoustic and idiomatic music
Tutorial for Opus 4
- Start a new project with initial track using a software instrument from a specific family.
- Switch to inspector mode and add a MIDI FX – suggestions include Chord Trigger and/or Arpeggiator – NOTE: if using both, insert Chord Trigger FIRST then insert Arpeggiator SECOND.
- Patterns created via the Arpeggiator can be dragged into any track – patterns created ONLY using the Chord Trigger need to be ‘recorded’ into a new track – see demo video! (and instructions below)
- Using the identical chord progression repeat these steps for two additional instrument families
- Add comments that start with the chord progression you created (NotePad / Song Notes)
- Save the project!
NOTE: Logic Pro has “Chord Trigger” while Studio One calls is “Chorder”
Record MIDI FX to a new track (Logic Pro)
Initial setup – your Mac must have the IAC Driver turned on! This is an “inter-application communication” driver that allows midi to be sent between and within applications. To make sure it is on, run the app “Audio MIDI Setup” which is in the Utilities folder of your Mac’s application folder – use the Window menu to select “Show MIDI Studio” – double click “IAC Driver” and make sure “Device is Online” is CHECKED.
Demo of Chord Trigger ONLY – Logic Pro
Extra Demo using Chord Trigger AND Arpeggiator – Logic Pro
Tutorial for Pro Tools Intro