Sample Lessons
Creating an Audio Track
This lesson can be integrated with many other subjects on the curriculum and could be a joint-project between classes. As there are so many elements to the class, it could be taught over an entire semester, focusing on various elements every week.
We would suggest viewing a selection of the trakAxPC Tutorials (see the end of the lesson) at the outset, so that students are comfortable with the software and understand the basic features. An introduction to the software could comprise of a number of classes and can easily be integrated with teaching other computer skills (see lesson plan “Understanding File Management” and “Understanding File Compression”).
Class Topics
Class topics could include:
- Creating a mix using royalty-free loops and beats (trakpacks) from trakAx.com to be used to showcase a video on YouTube
- Sampling an audio track like a classical song in the trakkutter and then mixing it with hip hop beats and scratches
- Mixing different genres of music such as a dance beat with Jazz
- Create an audio track for a video report
- Create an audio soundtrack using multiple songs (using crossfading) to be used for a stage performance
- How adding audio effects can change and improve an audio mix
What you’ll need:
- Audio tracks taken from the students music library (MP3 / CD’s)
- Royalty-free audio loops and beats (available from trakAx.com)
- trakAxPC Pro
Resources
Resources for Teachers & Students (these may vary in suitability depending on age group).
Learn the basic of Song creation
http://www.ehow.com/how_2118297_create-a-song.html
Definition of Song Structure and explanation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_structure_(popular_music)
An interesting video showing the fundamentals of Jazz
http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/teaching+jazz+fundamentals+understanding+song+structure
Understanding Tempo / BPM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo
A great article discussing how to implement mood into your music
(Free 14 day trial membership)
http://www.videomaker.com/article/7319/
Interesting article on using Tone in your voice
http://www.bodylanguageuniversity.com/public/206.cfm
Definition and explanation of Sampling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_(music)
A History of Sampling
http://www.superswell.com/samplelaw/history.html
An Audio History Lesson on Sampling by the well known artist Steinski
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93844583
TrakAx Blog Post - Understanding Drum Beats
http://www.trakax.com/software/about/comments/understanding_drum_beats/
TrakAx Blog Post - BPM and Genres / Hip Hop to Trip Hop
http://www.trakax.com/software/about/comments/bpm_and_genres_from_hip_hop_to_break_beat_techno_to_trip_hop/
TrakAx Blog Post - Chillout and Trance Styles
http://www.trakax.com/software/about/comments/chillout_and_trance_stylesnice/
Discussions
To start, students can view audio and video tracks and analyse them. Discussions may include:
- How the piece has been compiled – song structure (See Lesson Plan “Song Structure”).
- Understanding tempo of the song or piece of music (See Lesson Plan “Rhythm, BPM & Beatmatching”).
- How different genres like Jazz use a different tempo compared to something like house music.
- Does the track contain a sample from another piece of audio?
- (Music & Video) Discuss how you can mix two tracks together in a channel to change the mood of a video and how music can create different moods in video.
- Is there voice in the soundtrack? Discuss how vocals and the tone of vocals can convey a message in conjunction with music. How do the vocals change in volume throughout the track and how this affects the mood?
Lesson Structure
As there are many elements to this lesson, there is no real time limit to how long each class or section should take. Teachers may wish to vary the different topics as outlined above throughout the semester.
Class Activity 1
Teacher spends time discussing song structure, tempo, genres of music, musical soundtracks, etc. Students listen to different songs, genres of music, soundtracks and discuss what it is about the song / mix that evokes certain emotions. Students should discuss in detail their favourite songs and attempt to explain the feelings the music conjures.
To help with this process, songs can be brought into the trakKutter of trakAxPC and students can be asked to highlight or cut the intro / verse/ chorus / bridge / instrumental solo etc. Students can attempt to rebuild the songs in the Mixing Window. Students can then use either loops and beats to create a song / remix a song or use full length audio tracks to make a DJ style mix or soundtrack for a home movie, etc.
- Students organise teams.
- Students research music genres and select a style for their song / mix / soundtrack.
- Students plan their song / mix / soundtrack.
- Folders are set up for each student.
Class Activity 2 - Production & Post-Production Phase
Students begin to create their song / mix. Allow some time for the students to create, mix and edit their song / mix / soundtrack in trakAxPC.
- Students import their songs (CD’s, MP3’s) and / or loops and beats into trakAxPC.
- Audio is edited as required.
- Students should pay particular attention to song structure if they are creating a song.
- Students should pay particular attention to BPM and volumes if they are creating a DJ mix / soundtrack.
- Audio Effects can be introduced.
- Students can introduce volume, pan and pitch envelopes.
- Students save project as .txm file for further post-production.
- Final song / mix / soundtrack is exported to a popular file format such as MP3, etc.
Class Activity 3 - Review
- Each group of students presents their Song / Mix / Soundtrack and critique the various decisions behind the project – mood, song structure, etc.
- Peers can give their opinion on the various songs and mixes and discuss what elements worked, what elements could be improved, etc.
- Students can submit a short written piece on what they have learned about the process of audio mixing, team work within the group etc.
- Awards ceremony for students (Best Song, Best Soundtrack, Best Mix etc.)
trakAxPC Tutorials
Creating an Audio Mix in trakAxPC
An Overview of how to create an Audio Mix in trakAxPC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHraMqRpZxE
The Media Browser
Finding media and bring it into the trakKutter for Editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpPdK7bmGWo
Editing Audio
Editing audio in the trakkutter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkTLQiBXeME
BPM and Tempo
Understanding BPMs and Tempo in TrakAxPC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO8iNxbjrvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE0A-eZBhfU
The Mixing Screen
Using the Mixing Screen in TrakAxPC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzj_7ci819o
Audio Effects
Adding Audio Effects in TrakAxPC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3VighcX8w
Crossfading
How to Crossfade two tracks in TrakAxPC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOVeyZGfj28
Microphone
How to record in your Voice using a Microphone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr_TWX8CvsY
Saving
Saving the mix for future editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCnCqqCHvec&feature=player_embedded
Export
Export the final mix to popular file formats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx1QioSUUQs&feature=player_embedded
