Music Technology Review: Quiz 2

What are some major differences between old-fashioned analog “linear” recording and today’s “random-access” digital recording?

What’s a DAW?

Digital Audio Workshop

Incorporates all the features of traditional external hardware like: mixers, synthesizers, audio processors, and tape machines

What are Software Instruments and where are they located within Logic

• Virtual, MIDI-controlled synthesizers, samplers, and drums that generate sound internally

• Found in the library, the inspector panel, and/ or creating a new software instrument track

Why are software instruments so popular today?

• accessibility/ cost

• versatility

• workflow integration

• portability

What are the 5 stages of Music Production?

1. Musical idea (composition/ arrangement)

2. Record Tracks (enter the parts)

3. Edit (correct mistakes/ enhance performances)

4. Mix (blend/ sculpt sounds)

5. Master (finished files for distribution)

What’s the difference between MIDI and Audio?

MIDI acts as digital data for instruments

Audio records sound waves

Short recorded “blocks” of MIDI or Audio data are referred to as?

clips or regions

ex. audio clips/ regions or MIDI clips/ regions

What is the Transport? What is it’s purpose?

It is a set of playback and recording controls to navigate the timeline and control recording of the MIDI data

What’s the difference between the Arrange & Edit windows in most DAWs?

Arrange (or Arrangement/Playlist) is for song structure

Edit (or Piano Roll/Editor) is for fine tuning

Aligning MIDI or Audio to a rhythmic grid is called?

quantizing or quantization

What are MIDI Velocities and why would you want to edit them?

• Velocity represents volume & timbre of recorded MIDI notes

• Velocity is edited to enhance musical phrasing

What is automation and why is it an important mixing technique?

• The process of having a DAW automatically adjust parameters (ex. volume, panning, and effects) over time

• Used to create dynamic, engaging, and professional-sounding tracks

What’s the purpose of “Bouncing” a section or track?

It converts MIDI, virtual instruments, or multiple audio layers with effects into a single audio file

What’s the difference between an uncompressed audio file (like WAV or AIFF) or a compressed audio format (like MP3 or AAC)?

• Sound quality/fidelity and file size/storage space

• Uncompressed audio: Highest (Lossless), large file, audio data preserved

• Compressed audio: Lower (Lossy), small, some data permanently removed

What are the names and functions of the Channel Strip buttons, knobs, and volume slider?

• Gain knob (input level)

• EQ knobs (frequency adjustment)

• Pan knob (stereo positioning)

• Mute/Solo buttons (routing/isolation)

• Fader (final output volume

What’s a “Plug-In” and where do you access them in most DAWs (including Logic)?

• a Plug-in is a software component that adds specific, extra functionality to a DAW

• You access plug-ins by clicking on the Inserts or Audio FX slots within the mixer or channel inspector

What would “Native” Plug-Ins use in order to function?

The central processing unit (CPU) and operating system (OS) directly

What’s an EQ and why is it one of the most popular plug-ins used during mixing?

• an EQ (equalizer) adjusts the volume level of frequencies within an audio signal

• shapes, balances, and cleans up audio tracks

What is meant by “Mastering” your mix?

“Mastering” is the final stage of audio production, where everything is polished, balanced, and boosted to commercial volume levels, ensuring it sounds professional across all playback systems