Music Production Terminology and Concepts

These flashcards cover terminology and concepts related to music production, MIDI, synthesis, and sound characteristics.

Performance Data

MIDI note On Message, Controller Info, MIDI note Off Message

2 Parts to a MIDI ON Message

Velocity and MIDI Note #.

What idoes MIDI stand for

Musical Instrument Digital Interface.

Record Symbol in Ableton

The symbol for record in Ableton is a circle.

Electronic Instruments

Synthesizer, Sampler, Drum Machine, and Pattern Device.

Pattern Device

a step sequencer.

What type of sounds does the Impulse Device make/hold?

Samples

Drum Rack Choke Groups

The drum rack has 16 choke groups that are used to manage overlapping sounds.

Oscillators in Analog

The Analog has 2 oscillators.

Oscillators in Operator

The Operator has 4 oscillators.

Operator vs. Analog

synthesis types: Operator has 3, Analog has 1.

Synthesis Types in Operator

Additive, Subtractive, and Filter Modulation

Impulse Sounds

8 sounds.

Linking Channels 7 and 8

8 stops when 7 is triggered

Best Device for Orchestral Instruments

a Sampler.

Tools for Making Recorded Notes In-Time or Symmetrical

Velocity and Quantization.

Ways to Use Effects

Line or Send.

Basic Parts of a Synthesizer

Oscillator, Filter, and Amplifier.

Oscillator Function

The oscillator creates and tunes audio signals.

Filter Function

changes timbre by subtracting harmonic content.

Amplifier Function

Gives the waveform voume and allows you to alter the amplitude, ADSR

Characteristics of Sound to determine source, differentiate from other instruments, and tell apart real/fake instrums

Timbre and Amplitude.

Envelope

A graphical representation of Amplitude measuring Voume over Time. typically involving ADSR

Timbre

The harmonic content of a sound.

Octave

An octave is the distance between two pitches, where the higher pitch vibrates at twice the frequency of the lower pitch.

Types of Harmonic Content

The three types of harmonic content are Partials, Overtones, and Harmonics.

Fundamental

The lowest audible frequency of a sound, also known as the first harmonic.

Overtone

Any frequency that is above the fundamental frequency.

Half Steps in an Octave

There are 12 half steps/semi tones in an octave.

MIDI System Type

MIDI is a digital system.

MIDI Controller

A device used to create and send MIDI information

Automation

MIDI values changing MIDI parameters over time.

Automation Storage

Automation is stored under the envelope view

Velocity

The voume of the attack. Or speed and force with which a note is played.

Velocity Values

There are 128 possible values for velocity.

Velocity Expression in Ableton

In Ableton, velocity values are expressed numerically from 0 to 127.

Minimum Velocity to Start a MIDI Note

The velocity must be greater than 0 to start a MIDI note.

C3 MIDI Note Number

The MIDI note number for C3 is 60.

Common BPM Numbers

60 - Ballad, 88 Downtempo, 120 - Dance, 140 Dubstep/EDM

LFO Definition

LFO stands for Low-Frequency Oscillator, which moves slowly enough that there's no perceived pitch. It can modulate various parameters like volume, tunings, and timbre by adding harmonic content.

Three Imports of a Recording/Song

Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony.

Identifying Real vs. Synthesized Sounds

Timbre and Amplitude.

Four Rhythm Types

Four on Floor Kick, Back Beat Snare, Straight 16ths, Up Beat HH 8ths

Useful Tool Before Recording

metronome.