Blog

This post discusses the blog and forum; and links to a summary of Week 0 (with a bit of commentary and definition of terms).

Thanks to those of you who have posted Assignment 0* – good to get to know you!

We know you’re navigating a difficult landscape with unusual pressures and unknowns. Thank you for carrying out this balancing act on campus and online. Regardless of modality, we’re here to introduce tools and the understanding to make music, and to share the results.

The forum
On the website, I’ve opened a discussion forum open only to members of the course. This can serve many functions – musical and acoustic concepts, software documentation, additional audio examples, a place to pose questions on any aspect of the course, and to try your hand in answering them. Topics will be added as we continue.

The blog
This blog, on the other hand, is publicly viewable. It is the outward face of the course, and presents announcements like this one.

These old-fashioned tools, the blog and discussion board-style forum, we feel, offer focused, text-based methods of communication and straightforward sharing of files and media. As we address other needs and interests, we may add other communication methods in line with the spirit of the course.

Summary of Week 0
As we transition from Week 0 to Week 1’s lecture tomorrow, covering the basics of digital audio, I’ve posted a document summarizing Prof. Ernste’s overview of this “maker course.” I’ve amplified a few points, including definitions of some terms you may find it useful to understand. This isn’t to give you yet another thing to do – instead, think of it as a distillation of the information you have already, with a few hints for getting started, which may help you in this first complete week of the course, and as we continue.
That text is here.

-EM

[*our blog’s font currently shows zero, lowercase-oh and capital-oh as: 0, o, O.]

Hello! My name is Zack, and I’m a computer science major from Long Island. I don’t have much background in music other than playing viola in middle school. Although I don’t play much, I love to listen and experience. I frequently went to concerts and music festivals before the world kinda sorta stopped. I started as a big hip hop fan but have recently been listening to pretty, colorful sounding music. I hope to explore music in a more personal way this semester and play with different sounds. I’m totally open to collaboration.

Hi everyone! I’m Brandon and I’m a senior studying Statistics. Before college, I played piano for 10 years and viola with my school orchestra for 8 years. I’m interested in this class because I enjoyed music composition and playing random tunes while in orchestra and I want to learn it in a new platform. I feel that electronic music is a little different from traditional instruments and I’m excited to be able to learn about it and utilize all the new equipment and software that is available to us. I don’t really have a creative agenda, just hope to have fun and play around with different sounds. I’m very open to collaboration and I’m excited to learn everyone else’s music styles this semester!

Hello everyone. I’m Kyle, and I am a senior studying electrical and computer engineering. Growing up I never really played an instrument, but music has still been a big part of my life. I’ve always loved listening to music especially EDM which is what sparked my interest in this class. Some of my favourite artists include MK and Martin Garrix. I’ve played around with DJ equipment for many years as well. I would definitely be interested in collaboration during this class.

Hey everyone, my name’s Jack and I’m a junior studying information science. My musical experience started when I was in elementary school, playing the string bass for my school’s orchestra. I played string bass all the way through high school, but I never really found a real interest in making music until I picked up the guitar in late high school. I wish I played more consistently, but in the past few years it’s become more of a decoration in my room. As much as this year’s Covid situation has been horrible, the one silver lining that came out of it for me was picking up the guitar again with my (ample) free time. Since quarantine, I’ve started writing some music on my guitar, and recently started experimenting recording with Logic. I’m taking this class because I found a real interest and appreciation for music production this year, and I want to better develop creatively and hone my skills. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone this semester and I’m down to collaborate!

Hello everyone,

My name’s Nathan and I’m a sophomore intending to major in materials science and engineering and minor in computer science. I played the piano and clarinet throughout high school, although I haven’t really kept up on playing those instruments since college started. I’ve experimented around with FL Studio 12 for a while now, teaching myself from YouTube videos, but I’m definitely still very inexperienced. I primarily listen to various EDM artists, which is what got me interested in making electronic music myself. I’d love to collaborate with others, just let me know if you’re interested!

Hi everyone. My name’s Jack Samett and I’m currently a senior in AEM. I enrolled in this class due to my general love for music, as well as the rave reviews that I’ve heard regarding the course. My musical background is limited at best, although I did play guitar and write music up until around age 12. Unfortunately, that skill is long forgotten and my only current relation to the music industry is as a consumer. I’ve always regretted not sticking with an instrument, and I see this class as a chance to get back to producing music.

I’m looking forward to developing my own projects and am very open to collaboration since, as I mentioned, my musical prowess leaves a bit to be desired.

Excited for the semester.

Jack

Hey everyone! I’m a senior Computer Science major in the Engineering School, and I have played guitar and piano for 10+ years. I have recently been getting into digital music production with Logic and DJing, but I’m still learning about both. I took this class to fill in the gaps in my understanding about DAWs and music production, and also to have the opportunity to create some cool music. My favorite genre of music is EDM, but I also like rock and acoustic music a lot. I’m looking forward to a fun semester!

-Ben

Hi y’all,

I’m a senior majoring in CS, but with a strong interest in music. I’ve played piano for 10+ years, but quit in college and picked up some vocal training. I’ve made my own music in the past (producing in Logic + vocals), and have experience collaborating with friends on projects. I’m most interested in R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop; some of my favorite artists include Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, Kanye, Jorja Smith, and Omar Apollo. I hope I can improve on the technical aspects of producing and make music I can be proud of. Down to collab with people!

– Kane

Hi I’m Jack Weber. I’m a senior in CS. Musically my background solely lies with the guitar (and ukulele). I’ve been playing guitar casually on and off since I was 5. I’ve had varying levels of involvement with and mostly just played for my own enjoyment and not performance. Although since quarantine I’ve been taking it more seriously and playing a lot more. I play everything from blues, to rockabilly, to math rock, really I can find interest in playing almost any kind of music. I would love to be able to use samples of my guitar to mix on the computer. My musical interest is extremely varied as far as what I like to listen to and play so I’d be open to collaborating on a variety of different kinds of projects. I look forward to getting to know everyone and hopefully making some cool music this semester.