Sequencers and the DAW

Question 1

What were the 2 main drum machines in the 1980s?

Answer 1

• Roland 808 (analogue), made using waveforms.
• LinnDrum (digital), made from samples.

Question 2

What was so significant about the Atari ST?

Answer 2

It was the first commercially available computer that sequenced.

Question 3

What is MIDI?

Answer 3

Musical instrument digital interface. A means for different pieces of digital equipment to communicate with each other.

Question 4

What is General MIDI?

Answer 4

A standardised specification for electronic music instruments that respond to MIDI messages.

Question 5

What are some key points regarding General MIDI?

Answer 5

• Requires that all MIDI instruments meet a certain minimal set of features (e.g. being able to play at least 24 notes simultaneously).
• Attaches specific interpretations which were left unspecified by the previous spec.

Question 6

What is sequencing?

Answer 6

Programming and playing back sequences of notes, rhythms, and effects automatically (doesn’t generate own sound).

Question 7

How did sequencing change music?

Answer 7

• Cheaper / more affordable.
• Didn’t need to be able to play instruments.
• Didn’t need to hire musicians and play live.

Question 8

What is CV/gate?

Answer 8

An analogue method of controlling equipment with external sequencers.
CV controls pitch.
Gate controls on/off.

Question 9

What sort of features did sequencing bring to producers?

Answer 9

• Quantisation + humanise
• Velocity
• Automation

Question 10

Disadvantages of sequenced music?

Answer 10

• Lacks a ‘live’ element.
• Lacks a human feel due to quantisation.
• Limited by hardware specification.
• Potentially repetitive (loops).

Question 11

How do you choose the most appropriate quantise value in Logic?

Answer 11

Find the shortest note value in the piece.

Question 12

In which decade did sequenced music first become popular?

Answer 12

1980s

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of sequenced music?

Answer 13

• Lacks a ‘live’ element.
• Lacks a human feel due to quantisation and same velocities.
• Limited by hardware specification.
• Potentially repetitive.

Question 14

What are the advantages of sequenced music?

Answer 14

• Ease of use (step sequencing).
• Enhanced accuracy due to quantisation.
• Easy to edit sounds.
• Wider variety of timbres than with live.
• Easier to fix / edit errors.
• Leads to many new genres.
• Don’t need lots of high end / expensive kit.
• Wider accessibility for non performers.

Question 15

Sequencer technologies from the 1980s?

Answer 15

• MIDI.
• Drum machines (TR808, Linn Drum).
• Atari ST.
• Fairlight CMI.
• Synthesisers.
• Hardware sequencers (MC-500).

Question 16

How can (drum) sequencing be varied?

Answer 16

• Different samples for sections.
• Different loop lengths.
• Rests / dropping out / missed beats.
• Scratch samples.
• Additional samples layered in sections.
• Rhythmic fills / transitions.
• Varying note velocity.
• Change quantise rhythm.

Question 17

What does DAW stand for?

Answer 17

Digital audio workstation.

Question 18

What was the first DAW and when was it introduced?

Answer 18

Soundstream digital editing system, 1977.

Question 18

What is an integrated DAW?

Answer 18

First stage of the DAW - mixing console, control surface, audio converter, data storage.

Question 19

Brief timeline of DAWs? When did DAWs become popular?

Answer 19

Companies starting pushing idea of DAW in early 80s. Cubase and (Notator) Logic came out in 1992. ProTools in 1994.
Became popular in 1990s.

Question 20

What is the bit depth, sample rate, RAM storage and mac storage for CD quality?

Answer 20

16-bit
44.1kHz
8GB
256GB

Question 20

What is control voltage?

Answer 20

Produced voltage tells synth how much / little to play programmed notes.

Question 21

What is a patchbay?

Answer 21

A central hub that allows you to connect sound sources to devices using plugs in the bays.

Question 22

What is step sequencing?

Answer 22

Notes entered into sequencer’s memory one at a time.
Outputs at set tempo.

Question 23

What does a MIDI clock do?

Answer 23

Allows MIDI devices to be synced.

Question 24

Which sequencer allowed keys to be used instead of numerical values?

Answer 24

Roland MSQ-700

Question 25

What does an arpeggiator do?

Answer 25

Plays chords from MIDI note-by-note.

Question 26

How did EDM start?

Answer 26

Underground illegal raves. DJs used drum machines and vinyl effects playing over soul / jazz records. Big influence on hip-hop.

Question 27

What is a note's velocity?

Answer 27

How hard / soft a note is played.

Question 28

What is the MIDI velocity range?

Answer 28

0-127 values (8 bits).

Question 29

What is the difference between linear and non-linear editing?

Answer 29

Linear - normally tape-based, recording runs from beginning to end. Non-linear - normally computer-based, data can be found quickly without having to play through recording.

Question 30

What does quantisation do?

Answer 30

Snaps timing of beginning of note to nearest grid division. Can be 1/4 notes up to 1/32 notes.

Question 31

What is the difference between destructive and non-destructive editing?

Answer 31

Destructive - changes audio file associated with sample, normally irreversible. Non-destructive - doesn't change audio file, normally easily removed processing.

Question 32

What is OSC?

Answer 32

Like MIDI, a protocol for communication between digital audio devices, computers, and other multi-media devices.

Question 33

What are the two types of MIDI bytes and what are their first value?

Answer 33

Data (0) and status (1).

Question 34

What is automation in a DAW?

Answer 34

Allows you to edit different effects / parameters in real time.