Elements ED Lesson 07. Making Your First MIDI Recording

Question 1

How MIDI Works

• The term MIDI stands for _________________, which is essentially a communication protocol.

Answer 1

How MIDI Works

• The term MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which is essentially a communication protocol.

Question 2

How MIDI Works

• The MIDI protocol defines a method for communicating performance data between different _______, such as a MIDI keyboard on one end and a sound module or virtual instrument on the other.

Answer 2

How MIDI Works

• The MIDI protocol defines a method for communicating performance data between different devices, such as a MIDI keyboard on one end and a sound module or virtual instrument on the other.

Question 3

How MIDI Works

• MIDI information makes no ____ on its own.

Answer 3

How MIDI Works

• MIDI information makes no sound on its own.

Question 4

How MIDI Works

• Like the notes on a piece of sheet music, MIDI notes simply specify what _____ to play, ____ to play them, and _____ to hold each each one.

Answer 4

How MIDI Works

• Like the notes on a piece of sheet music, MIDI notes simply specify what pitches to play, when to play them, and how long to hold each each one.

Question 5

How MIDI Works

• No sound is generated until those notes get played through an _________.

Answer 5

How MIDI Works

• No sound is generated until those notes get played through an instrument.

Question 6

How MIDI Works

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Users who are new to working with MIDI may assume that the MIDI notes themselves create sounds and music. On some digital audio workstations, the distinction between the MIDI notes and the instruments that play those notes is not always ______.

Answer 6

How MIDI Works

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Users who are new to working with MIDI may assume that the MIDI notes themselves create sounds and music. On some digital audio workstations, the distinction between the MIDI notes and the instruments that play those notes is not always clear.

Question 7

How MIDI Works

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Computers often use use built-in or downloaded sound files to play back MIDI files from the desktop, adding to the perception that the MIDI data somehow includes _________.

Answer 7

How MIDI Works

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • Computers often use use built-in or downloaded sound files to play back MIDI files from the desktop, adding to the perception that the MIDI data somehow includes embedded audio.

Question 8

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• With _____-based operation, recorded information is stored at fixed points in time relative to the session.

Answer 8

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• With sample-based operation, recorded information is stored at fixed points in time relative to the session.

Question 9

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Sample-based audio files are fixed at _______ locations, and are unaffected by any ______ changes.

Answer 9

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Sample-based audio files are fixed at absolute locations, and are unaffected by any tempo changes.

Question 10

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• With _____-based operation, recorded information is linked with specific Bar|Beat locations.

Answer 10

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• With tick-based operation, recorded information is linked with specific Bar|Beat locations.

Question 11

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Unlike sample-based files, tick-based files are not fixed at absolute locations. Instead, they use relative locations that respond ___________ to session tempo changes.

Answer 11

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Unlike sample-based files, tick-based files are not fixed at absolute locations. Instead, they use relative locations that respond dynamically to session tempo changes.

Question 12

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• For example, when the session tempo increases, tick-based MIDI files will play back _____.

Answer 12

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• For example, when the session tempo increases, tick-based MIDI files will play back faster.

Question 13

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Audio tracks use ______-based operation by default in Pro Tools, so the audio will not be affected by changes you make to the session tempo.

Answer 13

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Audio tracks use sample-based operation by default in Pro Tools, so the audio will not be affected by changes you make to the session tempo.

Question 14

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • It helps to set the tempo in _______ and record audio tracks to a ______.

Answer 14

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • It helps to set the tempo in advance and record audio tracks to a click.

Question 15

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI and Instrument tracks are ____-based by default, which means that changing the session tempo will cause the tracks to play back at a different speed. This could throw off their ______ relative to any audio tracks included in the session.

Answer 15

Sample-Based vs Tick-Based Operation

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI and Instrument tracks are tick-based by default, which means that changing the session tempo will cause the tracks to play back at a different speed. This could throw off their timing relative to any audio tracks included in the session.

Question 16

MIDI Recording Options

• Pro Tools provides some specific controls for working with MIDI, such as the _________ feature and the _______ Mode. These controls can be found in the Transport window by selecting Window > Transport.

Answer 16

MIDI Recording Options

• Pro Tools provides some specific controls for working with MIDI, such as the Wait for Note feature and the MIDI Merge Mode. These controls can be found in the Transport window by selecting Window > Transport.

Question 17

MIDI Recording Options

• In addition to these controls, in the Transport window you can also specify the ______ and _____ for the project, which is something that should be done _____ to recording MIDI.

Answer 17

MIDI Recording Options

• In addition to these controls, in the Transport window you can also specify the tempo and meter for the project, which is something that should be done prior to recording MIDI.

Question 18

Describe the image

Answer 18

The Transport window

Question 19

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • When ________ is enabled it keeps Pro Tools in a record-ready state; the recording pass will begin as the first note is played.

Answer 19

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • When Wait for Note is enabled it keeps Pro Tools in a record-ready state; the recording pass will begin as the first note is played.

Question 20

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Wait for Note can be very useful in a ____ studio, or if you need to ______________ to access your MIDI controller.

Answer 20

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Wait for Note can be very useful in a big studio, or if you need to move away from the computer to access your MIDI controller.

Question 21

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • __________ can be useful to beginners as it allows successive MIDI recording passes to be summed together (rather than overwriting each other).

Answer 21

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI Merge Mode can be useful to beginners as it allows successive MIDI recording passes to be summed together (rather than overwriting each other).

Question 22

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Using MIDI Merge Mode, the ___________ of a piano part can be played separately, for example.

Answer 22

MIDI Recording Options

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • Using MIDI Merge Mode, the left and right hand of a piano part can be played separately, for example.

Question 23

Recording MIDI

• The process of recording to a MIDI or Instrument track is generally the same as that for recording to an ________.

Answer 23

Recording MIDI

• The process of recording to a MIDI or Instrument track is generally the same as that for recording to an Audio track.

Question 24

Recording MIDI

• The track needs to be ________ before it is ready to receive input.

Answer 24

Recording MIDI

• The track needs to be Record-Enabled before it is ready to receive input.

Question 25

Recording MIDI

• Pro Tools includes some specific tools that change the way in which ______________.

Answer 25

Recording MIDI

• Pro Tools includes some specific tools that change the way in which MIDI is recorded.

Question 26

Recording MIDI

• The Wait for Note button in the Transport window, which prevents a record pass from starting until the artist __________ on a MIDI controller.

Answer 26

Recording MIDI

• The Wait for Note button in the Transport window, which prevents a record pass from starting until the artist presses the first key on a MIDI controller.

Question 27

Recording MIDI

• MIDI Merge Mode, also found in the Transport window. This feature allows you to record MIDI in _________ rather than _______, building your MIDI performance in layers and adding to existing MIDI data on the track.

Answer 27

Recording MIDI

• MIDI Merge Mode, also found in the Transport window. This feature allows you to record MIDI in successive passes rather than all at once, building your MIDI performance in layers and adding to existing MIDI data on the track.

Question 28

Describe the image

Answer 28

Beginning a MIDI recording pass

Question 29

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • The MIDI Controls in the Transport window give you access to helpful options for recording MIDI performances. As a __________, you can arm the transport with Wait for Note active.

Answer 29

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • The MIDI Controls in the Transport window give you access to helpful options for recording MIDI performances. As a recording musician, you can arm the transport with Wait for Note active.

Question 30

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • If you have a click track enabled, Pro Tools will play the click with the transport stopped until you are comfortably _______ at your MIDI controller. Then once you begin playing, Pro Tools will begin recording at the current location.

Answer 30

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • If you have a click track enabled, Pro Tools will play the click with the transport stopped until you are comfortably seated at your MIDI controller. Then once you begin playing, Pro Tools will begin recording at the current location.

Question 31

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI Merge mode can make _________ easier for even novice players to perform. You can record the left-hand part separately from the right-hand part, for example, combining both on the same track.

Answer 31

Recording MIDI

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI Merge mode can make complex parts easier for even novice players to perform. You can record the left-hand part separately from the right-hand part, for example, combining both on the same track.

Question 32

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Before you begin recording with a connected MIDI controller, the device must be connected to the target _____ or _____ track.

Answer 32

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Before you begin recording with a connected MIDI controller, the device must be connected to the target MIDI or Instrument track.

Question 33

MIDI I/O Configuration

• The input routing is done using the _____________

Answer 33

MIDI I/O Configuration

• The input routing is done using the MIDI Input selector.

Question 34

MIDI I/O Configuration

• On MIDI and Instrument tracks, this selector defaults to the ____ setting, which allows the track to receive MIDI data from any connected controller.

Answer 34

MIDI I/O Configuration

• On MIDI and Instrument tracks, this selector defaults to the ALL setting, which allows the track to receive MIDI data from any connected controller.

Question 35

MIDI I/O Configuration

• The All setting provides “________” functionality for MIDI recording, and generally does not need to be changed.

Answer 35

MIDI I/O Configuration

• The All setting provides “plug-and-play” functionality for MIDI recording, and generally does not need to be changed.

Question 36

MIDI I/O Configuration

• You will also want to ensure that the ________ is routed to the correct location so that playback can be monitored properly.

Answer 36

MIDI I/O Configuration

• You will also want to ensure that the MIDI output is routed to the correct location so that playback can be monitored properly.

Question 37

MIDI I/O Configuration

• In most cases, when you assign a _________ on an _______ track, the MIDI output connects to that instrument automatically.

Answer 37

MIDI I/O Configuration

• In most cases, when you assign a virtual instrument on an Instrument track, the MIDI output connects to that instrument automatically.

Question 38

Describe the image

Answer 38

The MIDI Input selector as it appears in a MIDI track and an Instrument track

Question 39

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Why This Is Important
  
  • If you are having trouble recording MIDI data, you can check the _____________ in the Mix window to look for a problem with the MIDI routing for the track.

Answer 39

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Why This Is Important
  
  • If you are having trouble recording MIDI data, you can check the MIDI I/O configuration in the Mix window to look for a problem with the MIDI routing for the track.

Question 40

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI I/O is displayed in the ___ view for MIDI tracks and in the _________ view for Instrument tracks (______>______>________)

Answer 40

MIDI I/O Configuration

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • MIDI I/O is displayed in the I/O view for MIDI tracks and in the Instruments view for Instrument tracks (View > Mix Window Views > Instruments).

Question 41

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 is a _________ with an extensive sound library, ranging from synth pads, to organs, woodwinds, strings and much more.

Answer 41

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 is a virtual instrument with an extensive sound library, ranging from synth pads, to organs, woodwinds, strings and much more.

Question 42

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 can be inserted on any ________ track

Answer 42

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 can be inserted on any Instrument track

Question 43

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 can be configured quickly by selecting a ______ from the librarian menu

Answer 43

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Xpand!2 can be configured quickly by selecting a patch from the librarian menu

Question 44

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Toggling on or off any desired sounds by pressing the _____ button.

Answer 44

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Toggling on or off any desired sounds by pressing the power button.

Question 45

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Boom is a __________ that can be used to create drum loops.

Answer 45

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Boom is a virtual drum machine that can be used to create drum loops.

Question 46

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Like Xpand!2, Boom can be inserted on any ________ track

Answer 46

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Like Xpand!2, Boom can be inserted on any Instrument track

Question 47

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Boom ______ beats can be quickly chosen in the librarian menu.

Answer 47

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Boom preset beats can be quickly chosen in the librarian menu.

Question 48

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Xpand!2 can play _______ instruments at the same time, from the ______ track.

Answer 48

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Xpand!2 can play multiple instruments at the same time, from the same track.

Question 49

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Xpand!2 can be used to create interesting ______, and ______ effects in your project

Answer 49

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Xpand!2 can be used to create interesting depth, and unique effects in your project

Question 50

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Boom uses two ranges of MIDI notes to create sounds, from ______ it plays individual instruments, and from _______

Answer 50

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Boom uses two ranges of MIDI notes to create sounds, from C1 to D#2 it plays individual instruments, and from C3 to D#4,

Question 51

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Boom plays _ of __ pre-recorded loops.

Answer 51

Using Xpand!2 and Boom

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • Boom plays 1 of 16 pre-recorded loops.

Question 52

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• In order for your MIDI to playback inside of Pro Tools, you will need to use a __________ on your Instrument tracks.

Answer 52

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• In order for your MIDI to playback inside of Pro Tools, you will need to use a virtual instrument on your Instrument tracks.

Question 53

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Adding an virtual instrument can be easily done in the Mix window by selecting ____ > _____ on an insert, and setting the track’s volume fader to an appropriate level.

Answer 53

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Adding an virtual instrument can be easily done in the Mix window by selecting Plug-In > Instrument on an insert, and setting the track’s volume fader to an appropriate level.

Question 54

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• (If the inserts are not shown, they can be displayed by choosing ____ > ___________ > ________.)

Answer 54

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• (If the inserts are not shown, they can be displayed by choosing View > Mix Window Views > Inserts A-E.)

Question 55

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Without a being routed through a virtual instrument or an external synthesizer, the MIDI notes you record __________

Answer 55

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Why This Is Important
  
  • Without a being routed through a virtual instrument or an external synthesizer, the MIDI notes you record will not play back.

Question 56

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI is not actually music, but rather __________

Answer 56

Instantiating a Virtual Instrument

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • MIDI is not actually music, but rather musical information.

Question 57

MIDI Views

• MIDI data can be displayed in three different views:
  
  • ______ view
  • ______ view
  • ______ view

Answer 57

MIDI Views

• MIDI data can be displayed in three different views:
  
  • Clips view
  • Notes view
  • Velocity view

Question 58

MIDI Views

• In ______ view, notes are combined together in a larger clip, similar to an audio clip.

Answer 58

MIDI Views

• In Clips view, notes are combined together in a larger clip, similar to an audio clip.

Question 59

MIDI Views

• Clips view makes adjusting the clip in relation to the ________ much easier

Answer 59

MIDI Views

• Clips view makes adjusting the clip in relation to the rest of the project much easier

Question 60

MIDI Views

• In Clips view, individual notes _____________

Answer 60

MIDI Views

• In Clips view, individual notes cannot be edited.

Question 61

MIDI Views

• In _______ view, MIDI data is viewed as individual notes rather than whole clips

Answer 61

MIDI Views

• In Notes view, MIDI data is viewed as individual notes rather than whole clips

Question 62

MIDI Views

• Notes view makes editing in relation to the _____ possible.

Answer 62

MIDI Views

• Notes view makes editing in relation to the clip possible.

Question 63

MIDI Views

• In Notes view, notes can be moved _____ or _____ in time

Answer 63

MIDI Views

• In Notes view, notes can be moved earlier or later in time

Question 64

MIDI Views

• In Notes view, notes can be ____________ with the Grabber tool.

Answer 64

MIDI Views

• In Notes view, notes can be transposed up and down with the Grabber tool.

Question 65

MIDI Views

• In _______ view, MIDI data is viewed as vertical stalks, representative of each note’s volume.

Answer 65

MIDI Views

• In Velocity view, MIDI data is viewed as vertical stalks, representative of each note’s volume.

Question 66

MIDI Views

• Vertical stalks can be increased or decreased by _________ the diamond with the Grabber tool.

Answer 66

MIDI Views

• Vertical stalks can be increased or decreased by clicking and dragging the diamond with the Grabber tool.

Question 67

Describe the image

Answer 67

Editing MIDI data in different views

Question 68

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • ______ is displayed in Clips view by default.

Answer 68

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI data is displayed in Clips view by default.

Question 69

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • The view can be changed by clicking on the __________ and choosing Notes or Velocity instead.

Answer 69

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • The view can be changed by clicking on the Track View Selector and choosing Notes or Velocity instead.

Question 70

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI data can also be viewed in the _________ by selecting ______ > _______

Answer 70

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • MIDI data can also be viewed in the MIDI Editor window by selecting Window > MIDI Editor.

Question 71

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important
  
  • The MIDI Editor window can be used as a full-screen view for your MIDI data, making ______ much easier due to the increase in screen area.

Answer 71

MIDI Views

• Why This Is Important​
  
  • The MIDI Editor window can be used as a full-screen view for your MIDI data, making editing much easier due to the increase in screen area.