:In order to simplify things for the Westminster Computer Lab users, a '''program (Bash shell script) has been created to automatically launch and connect these programs together''' (in a very user-friendly manner), so individuals can concentrate on just recording their music. The user simply logs into the Teacher account, and double clicks on the '''Recording Studio''' icon.<br /><br /><br />

:'''Create a drumming pattern, and press play on the hydrogen application to test out the drumming pattern. Stop the drumming pattern'''.

:'''When you are ready to record, click the record button in the Audacity transport toolbar, and then click the play button in the hydrogen application'''. Don't worry if there is blank audio, since you can always cut the unwanted portions of the track after recording. When finished, then click the stop button in Hydrogen, and then click the stop button in Audacity. It is recommended to immediately click the rewind button to set the position to the beginning of the track.

:'''When you are ready to record, click the record button in the Audacity transport toolbar, and then listen to the recorded tracks as a guide when to start playing your guitar or bass guitar. When finished, then click the stop button in Hydrogen, and then click the stop button in Audacity. It is recommended to immediately click the rewind button to set the position to the beginning of the track'''.

=== Adding Keyboards === :When Launching the Recording studio, both Qsynth and Bristol Organ can be launched (if user requires both keyboards). Switching between instruments can be easy (depending on the musical keyboard controller). On the other hand, Qsynth requires that various sound-fonts or sound-font banks be inserted into the computer system. A sound-font is a sample of an instrument that can be used to play via a keyboard controller (eg. grand piano, organ, bass, brass, etc). Although a selection of these sound-fonts have been already installed, please see section below to learn how to download and install public-domain sound-fonts on your computer at home... ====Using Qsynt &amp; Bristol Organ==== ===== Adding Sound-Fonts in Qsynth ===== '''WARNING: ONLY PUBLIC-DOMAIN SOUND FONTS SHOULD BE USED IN THE WESTMINSTER COMPUTER LAB DUE TO COPYRIGHTS ISSUES.''' [[Image:qsynth_set_1.png|thumb|350px|right ]]'''Steps to Launch and Setup Jack Audio Server:''' # Select '''APPLICATIONS''' -> '''SOUND & VIDEO''' -> '''AUDIO PRODUCTION''' -> '''Qsynth'''# Click the '''Setup''' button located on the left-hand side.# The Qsynth settings dialog box will appear.# Select the tab labelled '''Sound Fonts'''.<br /><br />'''NOTE: Sound Fonts are sampled or stored banks of sounds that can be downloaded and used with Qsynth''' to create music or other sound-effects. These sound fonts can be downloaded and added into Qsynth to play.<br /><br />For more information regarding ''Sound Fonts'', refer to the link below:<br ><br />[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundFont http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundFont]<br /><br />'''[[Image:qsynth_set_2.png|thumb|350px|right ]]Sound Fonts can be proprietary, but there are many public domain sound fonts that can be downloaded free of charge'''.<br /><br />Here are some public domain sites for sound fonts:<br /><br />[http://www.soundzone.info/ http://www.soundzone.info]/<br />[http://www.sf2-files.com/freesf2.php http://www.sf2-files.com/freesf2.php]<br />[http://sounds.resonance.org/patches.py?Action=item&ItemId=6816 http://sounds.resonance.org/patches.py?Action=item&ItemId=6816]<br />[http://sounds.resonance.org/ http://sounds.resonance.org/]<br />[http://soundfonts.homemusician.net/ http://soundfonts.homemusician.net/]<br />[http://www.composition-contest.com/index.html http://www.composition-contest.com/index.html]<br />[http://www.sf2midi.com/ http://www.sf2midi.com/]<br />[http://www.zophar.net/utilities/soundfont.html http://www.zophar.net/utilities/soundfont.html]<br />[http://brucemiles1.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/soundfonts.html http://brucemiles1.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/soundfonts.html]<br />[http://zandro.freeunixhost.com/ http://zandro.freeunixhost.com/]<br />[http://freepats.opensrc.org/sf2/ http://freepats.opensrc.org/sf2/]<br />[http://www.digitalsoundfactory.com/ http://www.digitalsoundfactory.com/]<br />[http://www.sonivoxmi.com/freesoundfonts.asp http://www.sonivoxmi.com/freesoundfonts.asp]<br />[http://prosites-allmanmusic.homestead.com/jOrgan.html http://prosites-allmanmusic.homestead.com/jOrgan.html]<br /><br /># Click the '''Open''' button.# Select the ''location'' and name of the sound font. Usually, ''sound font'' files end with the file extension '''.sf2''' or '''.SF2''' .<br /><br />'''NOTE:''' As you add more sound fonts into your list, you should note a number to the left of the sound-font. You should '''note that number for future reference since it will correspond to a MIDI TRANSMIT channel that will allow you to switch to different sound fonts from your midi device (eg. keyboard)'''.<br /><br /># Once you have added your sound fonts, click the '''Close''' button to close the settings dialog box and return to the Qsynth main window.  ===== Restarting Qysnth &amp; Jack Server after Adding Sound-Fonts ===== [[Image:jack_main_1.png|thumb|350px|right ]]Any time you make changes to the sound-font settings, you need to restart the Jack server and reset the connections. In order to get the system working, you may need to create a patch to '''connect Qsynth to the Tascam US-122 device''' (i.e. input), and create a patch to '''connect the Qsynth to an output device''' (in this case, the output will be the sound card). '''Steps to make Connections (i.e. Patches):'''[[Image:jack_set_3.png|thumb|350px|right ]] # Return to the '''Jack Audio Server main window'''.# Click the '''Connect''' button location on the left-hand-side.# The Connect Dialog box will appear.# Click the '''ALSA''' tab.<br /><br />'''NOTE''': It is a common error to think you should use the ''MIDI'' tab to make midi connections, but in this case, you use the ''ALSA'' tab to make the connection from your Tascam US-122 device to Qsynth.<br /><br />Next, you need to connect a '''redadable''' device (Tascam US-122 that detects midi signals) to a '''writable''' application (Qsynth that take midi signals and generates music)<br /><br ># In the Readable Clients area, select '''Tascam USX2Y''', and then in the Writable Clients area, select '''Qsynth'''. You should notice that both clients are now selected.# [[Image:jack_set_4.png|thumb|350px|right ]]Click the '''Connect''' button.<br / ><br />'''NOTE''': You should now notice a line to denote a connection between those clients.<br /><br />You now need to create a connection from Qsynth to an output device - otherwise, you won't hear any music!<br /><br /># In the Readable Clients area, select '''Qsynth''', and then in the Writable Clients area, select '''System'''. You should notice that both clients are now selected.<br /><br />'''NOTE''':You should now be able to play a midi keyboard, and hear it via your soundcard. When you press keys on your musical keyboard, you should see a green light flash on the bottom left-hand side of the Qsynth application window.<br /><br />'''Refer to Quick and Simple Guides to Record your music via '''Audacity''' and '''Ardour''' (internal links are displayed below)''':<br /><br> [[Quick & Simple - Recording With Audacity]]<br />[[Quick & Simple - Recording With Ardour]]<br /><br /><br />'''ATTENTION''': If you make changes to Sound Fonts in Qsynth, and a message indicates the Jack engine will be restarted, you need to re-establish the '''ALSA''' and '''AUDIO''' connections in your Jack Audio Server (i.e. repeat these connection procedures).  ===== Assigning Midi Tracks for Qsynth &amp; Bristol Organ) =====

:'''Steps to Assignment of Instruments:'''

 :'''That's it! Start recording When you are ready to record, click the record button in the Audacity transport toolbar, and then listen to the recorded tracks as a guide when to start playing your instrument!!keyboards. When finished, then click the stop button in Audacity. It is recommended to immediately click the rewind button to set the position to the beginning of the track'''. ===== Additional Notes===== ===== Preferred Keyboard Type =====

===== Dealing With Latency Issues (Keyboard) =====

To <table> <tr valign="top"> <td>:It is highly recommended to save your audio project in the default "audacity" file format (aup). This create storage file, as well as creates a folder containing all audio data relating to that project. It is recommended to keep those files for future editing and mixing even if a final version of the song has already been created. :In order to convert the audio project into a song (like an MP3, WAV, OGG file), then in the '''File''' menu select '''Export'''. :In the Export File dialog box, the user enters the name of the audio file, and at the bottom selects the type of file format. :Some of the file formats include: ::* MP3::* OGG::* WAV::* WMA::* GSM :When the user completes the Export File dialog box, and clicks OK, an Edit Metadata dialog box appears. This dialog box allows the user to enter "tags" which provide information while the song is played (for example, displaying Track Name and Artist in Windows Media Player). When the user has completed this dialog box, then click OK, and the file will be exported to the new file format, and ready to be completed played.</td><td>[[Image:audacityTag.png|thumb|350px|Dialog box to create '''Tags''' which appear in media player when playing ]]</td><td>[[Image:audacityExport.png|thumb|200px|Audacity project being '''exported into a MP3 file format''' ]]</td></tr></table> ==Efficient Method for Shutting Down Multiple Recording Applications==[[Image:dockPAnel.png|thumb|600px| '''Triangles that appear under the application icons in the docking panel indicate program(s) running'''. The user can '''right-click and select "close" or "close all'''". ]]After the recording session, there are many applications that are open. The quickest and most efficient method to closing applications is by using the docking station panel.When an application is running, a triangle appears below the application icon to indicate an instance or multiple instances of that application running. To close the running application(s), simple right-click on the application icon, a select "close" or "close" all. 

To Music or audio from various file types can be completed easily imported into Audacity. For example, background music can be used for an advertisement, etc... '''NOTE:''' It is important to remember not to import copyrighted music or materials for use without the permission of the artist or owner.  

To Sometimes an artist would like to slow-down a song to study the notes played from the musical instrument. There are programs (like '''SlowGold''') that are for sale that provide this operation. On the other hand, the Audacity application can provide the similar service by selecting the "Change Tempo" effect. In this way, the song can be completed sped up or slowed down without affecting the pitch. '''NOTE:''' It is important to remember not to import copyrighted music or materials for use without the permission of the artist or owner. [[Image:audacityLoopPlay.png|thumb|250px| Portions of a track (or combined tracks) can be selected to play-back in a "loop". The selected area can be used to build a recurring pattern by using copy and paste.]] 

To While recording tracks, the user can select a portion of a track (or combined tracks) to play as a "loop". This is useful to get a repetitive sound (for example: drums and bass guitar) during the creation of a song. In order to play a loop, after making the area selection, click on Transport menu, then select Loop Play. If the loop play sounds OK, then that selection can be completed copied and pasted throughout the track...

Audacity :Comprehensive User Guide: [http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/documentation http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/documentation]