Experiencing Music Technology

Experiencing Music Technology is a comprehensive introduction to the broad topic of music technology as it exists in contemporary practice across music making, music production, and music teaching and learning. Unlike other music technology books, EMT is designed not only as a major text for a course of study but also as a resource and reference guide for a wide audience of amateur, student, or professional musicians both inside and outside the academic setting. Although it is introductory in scope, it provides considerable depth of coverage anchored around a thread of ten core music technology competences integrated throughout the book.

The newest edition of EMT enters the world at a time of real change in education that favors independent and creative thinking by learners. Our fervent hope is that the book meets the need of newer trends in music curriculum design to integrate technology understanding into specific courses within the discipline and to serve the needs of more modular course design in creative ways. The exciting development of the e-Book edition with its many links to internal and external resources helps to support multiple courses, curricula, and interdisciplinary connections.

David Brian Williams is Emeritus Professor of Music and Arts Technology at Illinois State University.

Peter Richard Webster is a Scholar-in-Residence at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He was previously the John Beattie Professor of Music Education and Technology at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements

Viewport I: Musicians and Their Use of Technology
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: College Students at Work in a Recording Session
Music Technology in Practice: College Students Performing a "Cover" - Rob Dunn and Brittany May
Project Suggestions for Viewport I

Module 1: People and Music: Technology's Importance in Changing Times
Why Study This Module?
Musicians and Technology
The Importance of Human Creation
Changing Patterns of Music Curricular in Higher Education
Technology Adoption and Change

Module 2: People Making Technology: The Dance of Music and Technology
Why Study This Module?
Ballet of Music and Technology
Five Periods of Music and Technology
The Mechanical Age: 1600s to Mid-1800s
Powered by Electricity: Mid-1800s to Early 1900s
Vacuum Tubes: Early to Mid-1900s
Transistors and Miniaturization: 1950s to 1970s
Personal Computers: Late 1970s to 2000s
Back to the Future: Key Technologies of the Present


Module 3: People Competencies for Music Technology
Why Study This Module?
People, Procedures, Data, Software, and Hardware
Core Competencies and Solving Problems


Module 4: Getting Help
Why Study this Module?
Online Support
People with Technical Knowledge and Skills
Printed Materials
Professional Associations
Professional Conferences


Module 5: Finding Your Experience Level
Why Study this Module?
Growing Levels of Experience
Considerations for Platform and Operating Systems
Choosing Hardware
Choosing Software

Project Details for Viewport I

Viewport II: Platforms, Operating Systems, and Internet Concepts for Musicians
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: Composer Working with Score -Frank Ticheli
Project Suggestions for Viewport II

Module 6: Operating Systems, Digital Work Habits, and Internet Use
Why Study This Module?
Devices and Their Operating Systems
What Is an Operating System and What Is its Purpose?
Keeping Current
Basic Functions
Human Interaction and the Graphical User Interface
Drives
Files and Folders
Connecting Hardware and Internet Connections
Look and Feel of Devices
Digital Work Habits
Naming and Saving on All Devices
Viruses, Malware and Device Security
Choosing and Managing Passwords
Backing Up
Complexities of Copyright
Registration
Length of Copyright
Notion of "Covers"
Performance Rights
Streaming Services
Fair Use
Future of Copyright
Internet-Based Software for Personal and Professional Development
Service and Hosting
Web Browsers
Email
File Sharing
Digital Audio Services: Sharing, Streaming, and Purchasing
Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN)


Module 7: Concepts of Computers, Networking, and the Internet
Why Study This Module?
Analog to Digital: Computers and the Analog World
Counting and Thinking with 1 and 0
Computer Bits and Bytes
Serial and Parallel: Computers and Their Peripherals
Network Protocols: Communicating Among Computer Devices
Internet's Primary Protocol: TCP/IP
Domain Names and IP Addresses
Sorting Out Domain Names
Email Internet Protocols: POP, IMAP, and SMTP
The World Wide Web: URL, HTTP, HTML, and More
Web Internet Addresses and Protocols: URLs and HTTP
Constructing Web Documents: HTML
Web 2.0: HTML5, CSS, XML and More
File Formats: Sharing Files
Packaging and Compressing Sets of Files: ZIP, TAR, Z, DMG, and EXE
Text Documents: ASCII, RTF, DOC, PAGES, ODT, and PDF
Music and Audio: WAV, AIF, MIDI and More
Graphics and Video
Safe Computing: Backup and the Cloud
Clone Backup
Incremental Backup
Synchronized Backup
What Backup or Backups to Use?


Module 8: EMT Workstation Designs: Internals and Connectivity
Why Study This Module?
The Five Components of a Computer System
The Internal Process of Computer Devices
CPU, GPU, and the Clock
Memory: RAM and ROM
Internal Connectivity: SATA and PCIe
Audio Codecs
Internal Storage: HDD and SSD
Chromebook and Mobile Internals
Chromebooks
Mobile Devices
Wired Connectivity
The Wires: USB and Thunderbolt
The Protocols: USB and Thunderbolt
Applying USB and Thunderbolt to Desktop and Mobile Devices
Wired Internet: Ethernet, Fiber, and More
Ethernet Internet
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Cable Internet
Fiber Internet
Applications for Wired Internet
Wireless Connectivity
Wireless: NFC and Bluetooth
Wireless: Wi-Fi and Cellular
Takeaways

Module 9: EMT Workstation Designs: Internals and Connectivity
Why Study This Module?
Input Devices
Keyboards
Mouse Devices
Touch Pads and Screens
Pencils and Styluses
Virtual Assistants
Output Devices
External Storage: HDD and SSD, Flash and SD, CD and DVD
Video: VGA, HDMI, DVI, Thunderbolt and More
Audio Output
Internet Hardware
EMT-1 Applications Wrap Up
The Desktop Workstation
The Mobile Workstation

Project Details for Viewport II

Viewport III: Analog and Digital Audio Basics
Big Picture: Digital Music Production and Live Performance
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: Musicians and Music Production-Henry Panion and Ian Keel
Suggested Projects for Viewport III

Module 10: Concepts of Acoustics, Audiology, and Digital Audio
Why Study This Module?
Acoustical and Perceptual Dimensions of Sound
Vibrations, Frequency, and Amplitude
Envelopes
Harmonic Spectrum
Summary of the Acoustic Properties of Sound
Audiology and the Human Ear
Components of the Human Ear
Protecting Ears of Musicians
Digital Audio: Analog to Digital and Back
Sampling Rates and Quantizing
Optimizing the Quality of Digital Audio
Aliasing, Filters, and Oversampling
Going Higher: 24 Bits at 96 kHz and Beyond
Formats and Compression for Storing Digital Audio Files
Sound Compression
Lossy Audio: Increasing Compression While Fooling the Ear
Streaming Audio Files for the Internet
Music Synthesis Techniques
Analog Synthesis: Additive, Subtractive, and Distortive
Physical Modeling
Digital Wave Synthesis
Granular Synthesis

Module 11: Building a Basic Analog and Digital Music Studio
Why Study This Module?
Introducing EMT-2 and EMT-3 Music Studio Models
Sorting Out Audio Plugs and Ports
Tip, Ring, and Sleeve
Balanced and Unbalanced
Impedance
Analog Audio Studio with EMT-2
Simple Analog and USB Audio Interfaces
Connecting to the Outside World: Input and Output
The Role of a Mixer
Microphones
EMT-2 Mobile Considerations
Web Audio and Web MIDI
Digital Audio Studio with EMT-3
Features of Digital Audio Interfaces
Integrating a USB Audio Interface into the EMT-3 Design
Sound Drivers and Latency: Why is My Computer Behind the Beat?
EMT-3 Mobile and Chromebook Considerations
Storage and Sharing Digital Audio Work
Digital Music Players and Smartphones
CD/DVD-R Drives
Flash Memory and SD Cards
Cloud-based Storage

Module 12: Wave Editing and Basic-Level DAW Software
Why Study This Module?
Preliminaries
Understanding Mono, Stereo, Channel and Track
Wave Editors vs. Basic-Level Digital Audio Workstations
Installation, Space Use, and Plug-ins
Importing Pre-Existing Audio
Recording Live Audio and Auditing Playback
Choosing the Right Platform
Exemplar Software: Wave Editors
Audacity (macOS/Windows/Linux)
WavePad (Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android)
TwistedWave (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, web-based)
Introduction to Audio Effects Processing
Critical Role of Effects
Families of Effects
Amplitude
Sound Quality (Timbre)
Pitch/Time
Exemplar Software: Basic-Level DAWs
GarageBand (macOS)
Mixcraft Recording Studio (Windows)
Soundation Chrome Studio (Web-Based)
Audio Evolution Mobile (iOS, iPadOS, Android)

Module 13: Concepts of Modular Analog Synthesis and Synthesizers
Why Study This Module?
A Bit of Analog History
Two Pioneers: Buchla, Moog, and Others
Analog Synthesizers Modules
Primary Components
Basic Modules of an Analog Synthesizer
Adding Elements of Control and Modulation
Global Controls and Effects
Virtual Renaissance of Analog Synthesizers
Minimoog Virtual Analog Synth
Setting a Patch for the Minimoog Synth
Getting Started: A Sample of Physical and Virtual Analog Synths
KORG littleBits Analog Synthesizer Kit
MonoStereo Synthesizer
Common Analog Synthesizer (AN Synth)
ARP ODYSSEi
Eurorack: Open-Source Virtual Modular Systems and VCV Rack

Project Details for Viewport III

Viewport IV: Adding MIDI to the Mix
Overview
A Potpourri of Audio and MIDI Effects
Music Technology in Practice: Music Technology Professor, Composer and Guitaring- V. J. Manzo
Suggested Projects for Viewport IV


Module 14: Concepts of MIDI
Why Study This Module?
How MIDI Works?
Understanding MIDI Performance Codes
MIDI Device Configurations
Channel Messages
Defining Channels for MIDI Traffic Flow
System Messages
General MIDI
General MIDI Instrument Groups
MIDI 2.0 Specifications
Web MIDI
Mapping MIDI Codes: Hardware Meets Software
MIDI Connectivity and Networking
The Original MIDI Connectivity
Virtual Wired Solutions: USB and More
Virtual Wireless Solutions: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and More
Inter-App Solutions: IAC, AU, VST and More
Storing and Exchanging MIDI Files
Managing MIDI and Audio Resources
Apple (macOS) Resources
Microsoft Windows and Other Resources
MIDI and Audio Timing: SMPTE, MIDI Time Codes, ADAT, and Word Clock
Who's Conducting This Group?
Keeping the FSK Tape Time and SMPTE Time
Keeping the MIDI Time: MIDI Time Messages
ADAT and Word Clock Time
Experiencing MIDI Software and Hardware

Module 15: MIDI Editing and Basic-Level DAW Software
Why Study This Module?
Preliminaries
MIDI Versus Digital Audio
MIDI Channels and Timbre Numbers-Getting Connected
Exemplar Software: Basic Level DAWs and MIDI
GarageBand (macOS)
Mixcraft Recording Studio (Windows)
Studio One Artist (macOS, Windows)
Soundtrap (Web-Based)
Audio Evolution Mobile (Android, iOS, iPadOS)
GarageBand (iPadOS)
Specialized Software for Mobile Platforms
DAW: Korg Gadget 2 (iPadOS, macOS)
DAW: NanoStudio 2 (iPadOS)
Software Synthesizer: Audio Kit Synth One (iOS, iPadOS)
Beatbox/Drum Machine: DM1-The Drum Machine (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)
Workflow Utilities: Audiobus and AUM-Audio Mixer
Mixing, Mastering, with Basic-Level DAWs
File Formats and Distribution
Mixing and Mastering Capabilities for DAWs at All Levels
Mixing and Mastering: Are They the Same?
Personal Choices with Mixing and Mastering: A Few Hints

Module 16: MIDI Hardware: Interfaces and a Cornucopia of Controllers
Why Study This Module?
Overview of MIDI Hardware
MIDI Hardware Basics
Traditional MIDI Networks
MIDI THRUs, Mergers, and Patchbays
EMT-4 Music Studio with MIDI
The Mobile Version of EMT-4
Keyboard Controllers
Pad Controllers
EMT-5 Enhanced MIDI Music Studio
Controller Cornucopia: Drums, Guitars, Winds, and More
Drum Controllers
Guitar and String Controllers
Voice Controllers
Wind Controllers
Mixer Control Surfaces: Hardware for the Software DAWs
Hardware Mixer Controllers
Mapping the Hardware to DAW Software
Automated Mixing
Tablets and Smartphones as Mixer Control Surfaces
Creating New Modes of Expression
Pioneers Experimenting
Sweat, Movement, and Biofeedback Controllers
Experimentation with MIDI and Music Learning
Hardware Tools for the DIY Experimenter
Subjective Factors for MIDI Controllers

Project Details for Viewport IV

Viewport V: More Advanced Digital Audio Workstations
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: Film and TV Composer, Arranger and Producer-Steve Morrell
Suggested Projects for Viewport V

Module 17: Multichannel Audio Hardware and Concepts
Why Study This Module?
Superheroes: The DSP Algorithms, Chips, and Plug-ins
Audio Mixer Concepts and Design
Routing and Channels
Summing, Buses, and Mixes
Processing: Effects, Dynamic Processors, and More
Effect Mixes: Aux and Insert Buses
More on Mixes for Groups and Effects
The EMT Digital Audio Workstation Goes Multichannel
Inputs for Recording or Performing
Outputs for Recording, Monitor-Studio Audio, and Stage Audio
EMT-6A: Analog Mixers
Hands-on with an Analog Mixer
Advantages and Disadvantages of an Analog Mixer Solution
EMT-6B: Digital Mixers
Hands-on with a Digital Mixer
Hands-on with an Expanded Feature Digital Mixer
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Digital Mixer Solution
EMT-6C: Virtual or In-the-Box Mixers
Hardware Mixer Control Surfaces
Hands-on with a Multichannel Audio/MIDI Interface
Hands-on with a Multichannel Mixer Controller
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Virtual, In-the-Box Mixer Solution
Three Mixer + Hybrid Solutions Wrap Up
Just Getting Started
Ready to Move Up
A Good Fit for ITB Mixing?
Mixers for Unique Recording Needs
Wireless Multichannel Portable Mixers
Podcasting
Small Mixers for Small Jobs
DJ Mixers
Portable Recorder/Players in the Digital Realm
Two Scenarios for Portable Applications
Features in Common
Features that Differ
Moving up to Surround Sound

Module 18 Software for Advanced DAWs
Why Study This Module?
The Advanced DAW Landscape
Eleven Advanced DAWs
Notable Characteristics
Which Advanced DAW is Best?
Exemplar Software
Logic Pro (macOS)
Software Similar to Logic Pro
Auria Pro (iPadOS)
Ableton Live (macOS, Windows)
Software Similar to Ableton Live
Concluding Perspective: Advanced DAWs and Hardware
Mixers
DAWs
Examples of DAW/Hardware Tradeoffs
Audio Production Timeline

Project Details for Viewport V


Viewport VI: Music Notation Production
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: Professors and Composers-Chia-ya Hsu and Jenni Brandon
Suggested Projects for Viewport VI

Module 19: Representing Music on the Printed or Digital Page
Why Study This Module?
How Is Symbolic Music Notation Represented in a Computer?
Data Structures for Performing and Display
Translating Data Between Performance and Display
Tour of Computer Music-Coding Systems
Pre-1960s: Music Typography and Mechanical Coding
Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s: Friendlier Text-Based Music Coding
Late 1970s to Early 1980s: Enter the Personal Computer
Mid-1980s: The Democratization of Desktop Music Publishing
Late 1980s and 1990s: Intelligent Rule-Based Music-Coding Systems
1990s: Seeking Interchangeable Notation-Coding Systems
Universal Solution for CMN Coding: MusicXML
Recordare's MusicXML
Deciphering MusicXML Tags
File Formats for Notation Applications
More on File Formats for Notation Applications
Music Notation Import and Export Formats
Sibelius
Finale
SmartScore
Music Fonts for Notation
Two Flavors of Music Fonts: Bitmapped and Outline
Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL)
Potpourri of Music Fonts
Is WYPWYP Music Software Possible?

Module 20: Entry Techniques for Scorewriters
Why Study This Module?
Entry of Symbols
Alphanumeric Keyboards, Key Shortcuts, and Numeric Keypads
Mouse with Icons, Palettes, and Ribbon
Step-time with MIDI Keyboard and Virtual Keyboard
Real-Time MIDI Recording
Real-time Recording with Tap or Foot Pedal
Live or Recorded Audio
Handwritten Notation
Closing Thoughts on Entry Techniques for Music Notation

Module 21: Software for Scorewriting, Scanning, and Digital Music Readers
Why Study This Module
Scorewriting Software
Six Exemplar Scorewriters for Desktop Computers
Software Choice: Music Content Requirements
Basic Setup and Operation
Note Entry
Basic Editing
Editing Music Details
Playback, Printing, and Saving/Sharing
Specialized Capabilities Overall
Other Scorewriter Software for Desktop Computers
Scorewriters for Mobile Devices
Mobile Options for Scorewriting Exemplar Software
StaffPad (iPadOS, Windows)
Still More Options for Scorewriter Mobile Apps
Optical and Audio Music Scanning Software
Characteristics of Optical and Audio Music Scanning Software
SmartScore X2 (macOS, Windows)
Music-to-XML (macOS, Windows
PhotoScore Ultimate & NotateMe Ultimate 2020 (macOS, Windows)
AudioScore Ultimate 2020 (macOS, Windows)
ScanScore (macOS, Windows)
PlayScore 2 Professional (iOS, iPadOS, Android)
Digital Music Reader Applications
Characteristics of Digital Music Readers
forScore (iOS, iPadOS)
Newzik (iOS, iPadOS)
TomPlay (iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Web-Based)
Other Digital Music Readers

Module 22: Hardware for Music Printing, Scanning, and Mobile Music Reading
Why Study This Module?
Printers for Music Notation
Overview of Printer Concepts and Operations
The Mechanics of Inkjet and Laser Printing
Physical Properties in Common with Inkjet and Laser Printers
Printing Music Parts and Scores
Setting Up Music Page Sizes for Printing from a Scorewriter
Final Notes on Laser and Inkjet Printers for Music
Scanners and OMR
The Mechanics of a Scanner
Optical Music Recognition (OMR)
Accessories for Digital Music Readers
Page Turners
Tablet Mounts
Pencil and Stylus

Project Details for Viewport VI

Viewport VII. Software for Music Teaching and Learning
Overview
Music Technology in Practice: Music Clinician and Music Educator-Barbara Freedman
Suggested Projects for Viewport VII

Module 23: Software and Resources for Music Teaching and Learning
Why Study This Module?
Changing Landscape of Music Pedagogy
Scenarios to Consider
Underlying Themes
Pedagogical Skill and Knowledge to Use Technology
Resources Dedicated to Music Teaching and Learning
Listening/Conceptual Study: Younger Learners
Listening/Conceptual Study: More Advanced Learners
Performance: Younger Learners
Performance: More Advanced Learners
Composition: Younger Learners
Composition: More Advanced Learners

Module 24: Further Technology Resources for Teaching and Learning
Why Study This Module?
Music-Related Website Resources
Interdisciplinary Resources
Podcasts
Portals of Music Teaching Resources
Portals for Audio/Printed Music
Music Education Blogs
General Technological Resources
Distance Learning and Conferencing
Learning Management Systems
Portfolio Management
Video Applications
Assessment Aids
Social Media and Building a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
Social Media in Action for Music Teaching and Learning
Personal Learning Networks
Music Production Content in Service to Music Teaching and Learning
Project Details for Viewport VII

Postlude
Appendices
A. EMT Workstation Equipment Guide and Codes
B. Selected Readings
C. EMT Competency Checklist
Trademarks