What is the course about?
Use Apple's fabulously simple but powerful Garageband software (included with all Macs) to help you realise your musical ideas. Record using a microphone and/or instruments and using a musical MIDI keyboard to play in (notate) musical ideas. Edit your tracks with easy-to-use tools in order to create a polished final product.
What will we cover?
- Building a track from a variety of instruments and recordings
- Playing in musical ideas using a MIDI keyboard and Garageband's realistic software instruments
- MIDI editing to correct mistakes in playing or to create ideas from scratch
- Recording and importing audio into Garageband
- Basic corrective audio editing
- Basic mixing with attention to sound balance and stereo position
- Burning your composition onto a CD.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Build a track from a variety of instruments and recordings
- Play in musical ideas using a MIDI keyboard and Garageband's realistic software instruments
- Edit this MIDI information to correct mistakes in playing and create ideas from scratch
- Record and import audio into Garageband
- Perform basic corrective audio editing
- Perform a basic mix with attention to sound balance and stereo position
- Burn your composition onto a CD.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for anyone who wishes to learn how to put this exciting technology to creative use, and is suitable for complete beginners in music technology. The software is now availble for PC platform as well as Macs.
Some familiarity with computers is useful. If you are not familiar with Macs, City Lit offers introductory courses on this platform that you may wish to take.
You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Classes will generally begin with a demonstration and discussion followed by practical work.
You will work on an individual Mac workstation to practise set themes, techniques and skills, applying these to your developing ideas and material
You will present your work in progress regularly to the group and receive feedback, support and encouragement from your tutor throughout the course.
It is useful to have access to a Mac outside class to work on your project between sessions. GarageBand is now available for the PC platform and for iPads as well as Mac desktop computers.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Notepad, pen, own memory stick/storage device for saving work.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may wish to move on to:
- Apple's Logic software, the professional 'big brother' to GarageBand
- develop further your skills in Mixing, music production and mastering
- get into live electronics through Ableton Live, Sonic Arts, Max/MSP, BBCradiophonic workshop, or Arduino workshops
- develop specialist skills through Vocal Recording Techniques, Create a home vocal recording booth, Sampling, beat-making and synth programming
Go to the Music Technology and Digital Audio Production page to see the full range of courses. For advice email the music office or phone us on (020) 7492 2630
The Music department also offers a wide range of instrumental, singing, ensemble and musicianship courses.
