1. Thursday 13 th September. Periods 3 + 4. Music Technology A2

2. Synthesisers.. What do you know?

3. A2 exam written question revision ‘The development of music technology’ Must answer 1 question (choice of 2) 16 marks available (8% of A2) Include 16 different points Organise ideas in date order. After planning, answer can be bullet points or prose

4. A2 exam written question revision ‘The development of music technology’ Topics: Synthesisers Samplers & Drum machines Audio effects and audio processing - EQ MIDI Recording media (tape / digital etc). Consumer media (Vinyl & MP3 etc) Multi-track recording (Digital and Analogue) Computer based recording (Cubase) Electric Guitars and Amplification Internet

5. Synthesisers First synths were Analogue and used ‘subtractive synthesis’ also known as analogue synthesisers. Monophonic Expensive. ‘Out of reach’ to most musicians. 1970 Minimoog. Cost £1000 (roughly £6000 in todays money) – first ‘affordable’ synth.

6. Subtractive / Analogue synthesis Write down what each box stands for and what it does.

7. Subtractive / Analogue synthesis VCO Waveform / Noise VCF Filter Cut off Resonance HP, BP & LP Filter LFO VCA ADSR / EG (MIDI)

8. Envelopes

9. Filters

10. Digital! First digital Synthesisers used FM synthesis (frequency modulation) Then ‘sampling’ was used. First digital sampling synth ‘Fairlight CMI’ in 1979. $20,000 (roughly $120,000 in todays money) More ‘realistic’ and ‘brighter’ sounding than analogue. Less ‘warmth’.

11. Virtual / Software synths

12. Synthesisers.. What do you know…now?

13. Plenary: Name the parts of an SH101. Homework sheet: List 16 points referring to ‘what makes up a synthesiser’ and write a shot explanation about each point. Points can be on the components found on an Analogue / subtractive synthesisers or Digital synthesisers.

14. Synthesisers Period 4 task: Create as closely as possible the following instruments / percussion sounds only using the A1 synth in Cubase. Presets can be used as a starting point. – Piano – Strings – Bass guitar – Snare – Closed hi hat – Bass Drum Create a music piece (original or cover) just using these sounds. We will listen to them at the end of the lesson.

15. Create as closely as possible the following instruments / percussion sounds only using the A1 synth in Cubase. Presets can be used as a starting point. Piano, Strings, Bass guitar, Snare, Closed hat, Bass Drum

16. Plenary: What were the limitations trying to make ‘real’ sounds with the A1? Do you like the way analogue / subtractive synths don’t sound ‘real’. Or do you prefer digital synths that can completely emulate pretty much any instrument? Styles / Genres of music influenced by synths.