TR-808, programming beats, and Diode-108!

Here is a link to a great browser-based recreation of Roland's famous TR-808 Drum Machine!
http://io808.com/. It's an incredible re-creation, right in your web browser, and it will give you insight as to how early (and immensely influential) drum machines worked.

And a tutorial on how to use it: http://io808.com/tutorial

And here is a link to a visual representation of how to program some classic, famous beats!
https://docs.google.com/a/pingree.org/document/d/1o9kHY6CKmX7C5y_Z_La4mJTmhLnlHZm1Zdfi3X0cATM/edit?usp=sharing

And a YouTube playlist containing recordings of the songs in the link above: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLODv3rj04FReaD_7S9plpalilCxOnEOAJ

HOMEWORK: Due Monday, September 26
Using Diode-108 (the new, super-powerful Drum Machine app you downloaded in class today), re-create one of the drum machines in the 808 packet I handed out.  Please refer back to the playlist I shared above to pick a song you really like.  Try to make the recreation as exact as possible--use the correct tempo, listen for reverb and other effects. You will also need to learn how to use 'song' mode in Diode-108 in order to make sequences longer than 16 steps.
Then, using the recreated beat that you made as a starting point, create your own beat through a process of experimentation--try different sounds, move drum hits around, add/remove beats, change the tempo, etc.. Come up with something you are proud of that may only barely resemble the original recreated beat.

In order to really learn and understand how to use the MANY features of Diode-108, I strongly encourage you to watch some/all of these videos:
https://youtu.be/Sc8kF3Jwd5k
https://youtu.be/d8nz-zWn0vE
https://youtu.be/6KgF-rC1OQ0  (this one about about the FX---well worth checking out!)

Most importantly, be creative and have fun!!

Kid Beyond

Check out this video from 'Kid Beyond' - he uses exclusively his voice and live looping through Ableton Live.
  

Dual Figure performance

For your inspiration:

Homework - 9/17/2016

Having spent time in class exploring the Auxy (the blue one) and Launchpad apps, you homework is to create an original piece that uses Figure, Auxy, and Launchpad simultaneously. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENABLED 'ABLETON LINK' IN ALL THREE APPS, and that Background Audio is turned on.

Keep in mind that you will want to be thoughtful about how much music/sound is coming from each app, so that the combination of sounds does not become overwhelming. For example, you may wish to create a drum pattern in Figure, add a bass line in Auxy, and trigger one-shot samples in Launchpad. You will quickly see that it takes practice to get used to switching between apps and navigating between parameters in each.

Also, be aware of the KEY that each app is in. In Figure, go to the Global tab to set the key adn chord that is being used. In Auxy, Key and Scale can be set from the Settings page. You do not have the option to set the Key within Launchpad because the sounds are audio samples whose pitch cannot be changed. With that in mind, perhaps you will want to start by creating drum loops in Launchpad, and using Auxy and/or Figure (with both in the same key) to create pitched parts (basses, leads, synths, etc.).

Be sure to save your work within each app so that you can open them all up appropriately to demo your work in class on Tuesday. Please email me if you have any questions. Have fun!!

Homework - September 13, 2016

Fun times learning about Figure and introducing you to 'Allihoopa' today. Just to recap the assignment:

-Create an original 'beat' of your own in Figure from scratch. Be as inventive as you can, using many of the features built in to Figure. Then, title and upload the track to your Allihoopa account.

-Find a track on Allihoopa that you like and download it to Figure. After exploring how the track is put together, create your own 'remix' of the track by changing, adding, subtracting, and otherwise playing around with different components. Then, upload your remix to Allihoopa.

-Please also follow me at Allihoopa, and I will follow you back (this is not to boost my self-esteem, but rather a way for me to keep tabs on your work). I encourage you to follow one another as well so you can check out the creative work you are all doing.

You should have both tracks uploaded prior to the start of class on Friday in order to receive full credit.

Please let me know if you have any questions!