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: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 />
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<td>[[Image:recordingSessionIcon.png|thumb|300px| '''Clicking this Desktop Icon will launch a program to allow the user to select the type of recording session''' they desire. ]]</td>
:The Hydrogen drum machine is pretty easy to use. Just press RECORD, and then click on an appropriate drum sound. The drumming pattern loops, so you can take your time to build more complex drumming patterns. Various drumming patterns can be saved and then can be added in a sequence to build a song... This application also has a "pattern" mode and a "song" mode...
:'''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.
:In the '''Audacity Preferences dialog box, under devices, select "system"'''. The device "system" relates to the USB inputs for vocal and guitar, or any device that plugs into the USB device (eg. XLR microphone, or a 1/4 inch plug).
:'''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 & 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:'''
===== Create Patches in Restarting Qysnth & Jack Audio Server after Adding Sound-Fonts =====
[[Image:jack_main_1.png|thumb|350px|right ]]
# [[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 & Bristol Organ=====
:I have see some misinformation regarding the use of sound-fonts with Qsynth. You can add in a lot of sound-fonts with Qsynth, and then assign them (either using a particular sound, or incorporating "sound banks") to midi channels. I am currently have assigned instruments to 10 midi channels (2 have been reserved for my B3 Organ. In addition, you can save these midi assigns as different "preset names" to be saved and loaded as needed during performance or practice.
:# You may need to restart the Jack engine and re-establish your connections.
:'''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 =====
:'''My M-AUDIO keyboard allows me to easily change between midi channels by pressing the Advanced Functions button, and then pressing a note on the keyboard that corresponds to the midi channel'''. Easy-Breezy, and efficient! :)
===== Dealing With Latency Issues (Keyboard) =====
:When laying down multiple tracks among different instruments, you may find that a track may be '''out-of-sync''' with the other tracks. This is probably due to the '''latency''' or "'''delay'''" from playing your keyboard instrument.
:# <u>Increase</u> or <u>decrease</u> the '''Latency Correction''' amount (in milliseconds) to obtain the correct balance.
:# Click '''OK''' to save changes.