music and technology

Music and Technology

Open Source/Proprietary Software USB studio Microphone (about $90-$150) Computer/Laptop (Mac/Windows/Linux) MP3/iPod player Personal Studio Teaching Environment (music or lecture) Verbal Notation


On-Line Resources: Open Source/Free Open Office openoffice.org flashmusicgames.org (beginner) creatingmusic.com (beginner) musicteacher.com/musicquizzes.htm (beginner-

intermediate) musictheory.net (intermediate/advanced)


Benefits of a recorded lesson Student's ability to remember teacher's instruction Teacher's ability to remember their own

instruction Student can hear their own progress Prepare them for performance/exams/recitals Be their own critic (argumentative student) Variety of learning styles Creativity


Benefits of a recorded lesson Portability Play back melodies for ear training Harness Improvisation Assist in concerto, duets and 2 piano works Teacher/student will have a musical diary

showing the levels of progress Distance Learning: e-mail practice to teacher Hearing is believing!


Open Source Software: Ability to customize the program Free (as in free doughnut) Audacity: Open Source, able to export

in .wav, .ogg or .mp3. Very similar to a computerized “tape recorder.”


Step by step setting up Audacity/USB Mic Audacity: audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ Use the Beta version 1.3.5 at time of writing

(easier for mp3 configuration). Follow through installation instructions.

Close Audacity Plug in USB microphone. Windows/Mac will

install it automatically (make sure you have internet access for Windows).


Open Source Software: Audacity Go to “Control Panel” then “Sound and Audio

Devices” (Windows) Under the tab “Audio” you should see the second

section down labelled “Sound Recording” In the drop-down menu you should see the name

of your usb microphone. Click on the button that says “Volume” and make

sure it is up at least half way.


Installing Audacity/USB Mic (Apple) Download Beta Version for Intel/PowerPC (PPC) Press “Continue” Go to “Audacity” folder double click on “Audacity” Choose language. Close. Plug in USB Mic. When open, press “Audacity” “Preferences” and

under “Recording” select the USB mic. Go to “Finder” “System Preferences” “Sound”

“Input” choose “USB Mic” and adjust Volume.


Recording from USB Mic Make sure you know how to get to the volume

button. You may have to tweak it to get the proper recording level.

Open up Audacity. Press record. Audacity records in it's own audio format by

default (.aup files). You can choose in the drop-down “File” “Export as WAV” or “Export at MP3” or “Export as OGG”. This will automatically export the file to one of those formats.


Exporting to MP3 In Windows and Apple you may need to

download the MP3 encoder. Go to “Edit” “Preferences” “File Formats” or

“Audio Files” and by “MP3 Library” version there is a button that says Download Free Copy of LAME Library.”


Recording from USB Mic If you choose to export you cannot edit the audio

file. Editing can only be done in .aup files Export the file to a common place ie. My

Documents or a file on Desktop Plug in students MP3 Player Right Click on “Start” button, click “Explore” Navigate to file where lesson is stored Copy and paste to MP3 player


On-Line Resources: Paid Naxos Music Library

Go to algomau.ca/library/view.php?page=databases

Scroll down to Naxos Music Library On campus you now have access to Naxos Presentation available at

ormta.ca/workshops.html