Moby Technology Research

YAMAHA SPX990 MULTI-EFFECTS UNIT		ROLAND TR909 DRUM MACHINE
4 Pre-effects		Sound source for drum loops
36 Main effects		11 Different percussion sounds
3 Post effects		16 beat loop
all effects are programmable
MIDI Control

EMU PROFORMANCE PIANO SOUND MODULE		ROLAND JUNO 106
Piano sound source		Synth bass sounds
Old Yamaha Synth sound		MIDI-equipped
Emu Piano sound		Polyphonic synth
16 voices		Programmable
3 playmodes		1 DCO per voice

YAMAHA SY22 & SY85 SYNTHESIZERS		AKAI S3200 SAMPLER
String/synth pad sounds		Sampling vocal tracks
61 note keyboard		32 Voice polyphony
16 part multitimbral MIDI synth		16 bit stereo sampling

Final Week Reflection

Everyone learned all the parts to the piece and we completed our recording. We didn't play the entire song, but instead went through each section only once. For the "these open doors" section, the rhythm of the chords were very confusing, so I decided to go with the same rhythm I had for the previous section.

In our final recording, the piano and the percussions sound as good as the original. The singers also did an excellent job, but I feel a microphone for the singers would have made our performance even better.

The piano notes and chords were very easy so I did not have to put in too much effort to learn my part for the performance. The main effort from my side was to be a good accompanist. Since the piano starts off the song, I had to make sure that I played the opening bars well and set a good tempo for the others, and I think I did a reasonably good job.

First Week Reflection

For the music performance, we are practicing Moby's "Why does my heart feel so bad?". I'm playing the piano, Miray is playing xylophone and singing, Almira is also singing and is playing the keyboard, while Arshia and Zain are going to play percussion.

I have performed piano and trombone in concerts and school bands before, but this is the first time I'm accompanying singers in a group performance. This required practice and coordination which I had learned from playing in band, but here the challenge was to not get distracted and mess up the song.

We have learn most of the piece, only the "these open doors" section is left. I found the chord patterns a bit challenging, so I tried my best in reading the rhythm carefully and just went with that.

This piano piece is not difficult, so it didn't take me much time to learn the chords and melodies, but I needed to listen to the actual song to check whether or not the rhythm I was playing was correct.

Inquiry Questions

1. What is music technology?

Using MIDI files to create sounds of musical instruments using technology.
2. How has music technology changed the way in which we develop and record sound?
Almost all modern music is made with the help of technology and it has helped us create newer sounds we wouldn't have be able to make with normal instruments.

3. Are we becoming too dependent on music technology?
No, because most modern music is made with technology and it is music we like. Some people might have very musical minds but don't have the talent to produce that music. With technology, it is easier to make the music and they will be able to create their own music

4. Does music technology support or devalue live music making?
Both. It supports live music making because it adds a new way of making music, but it also devalues it because it's not as difficult or doesn't require as much talent as performing on a musical instrument live.