Found out about this fantastic open source music notation app through one of Adam Neely’s videos. So far I’m loving how easy and intuitive it is to use. It’s really well thought out and implemented. Did I mention that it’s free?! Wow. Big thanks to the MuseScore community for making this available to everyone.
I’ve been using an ear training app called EarMaster for a few months now and am starting to notice a difference in my ability to identify intervals, chord qualities, rhythms and chord progressions as well as sight sing some pitches. It’s pretty comprehensive in it’s scope and has a lot of lesson material in it.
Picking up from my March 5th entry, here’s a video with MIDI data before and after using Logic’s “Humanize” feature. It might appear subtle to some, but to me it definitely helps loosen up the rigidity that can happen with strict quantization.
Had fun trying out the “Transform MIDI > Humanize” functionality in Logic, which I learned about through this really useful video on YouTube (starting at about 8:48).
One of the problems with not being a world class keyboardist is that I tend to rely quite heavily on quantization which is great for making things “perfect” but not so great for emulating real human performances. Essentially this “Humanize” feature randomizes your MIDI data within a defined range (default values being 10 ticks). Parameters that can be modified are “position”, “velocity” and “length”. Worked great!
One of the things that I love to do when working with Logic is to use Arrangement Markers to help generate Drummer Tracks. Arrangement markers are used to identify different sections of the song (Intro, Verse, Chorus, etc.). When building up a new song, I like to record a scratch/guide track (guitar or piano) and then add arrangement markers. Once that’s done I’ll add a Drummer Track. I found that adding the Drummer track _after_ the markers are laid out will cause the Drummer track follow the arrangement in terms of dynamics/parts/fills. Usually I’ll need to dial in which Drummer and/or Kit to use, edit some breaks, fills, etc. but often I’m surprised as to how close the generated track gets to what I want to use. Is it perfect? No, nothing compares to having a real drummer with great gear, in an awesome room, collaborating with you. But in terms of getting new ideas down quickly it’s fantastic!
Really stoked about the latest update to Logic Pro X, 10.4. A lot of great new features (Smart Tempo, Studio Horns and Strings, 2 new Drummers, “Undo” for the Mixer and Plug-Ins, Automation updates, UI updates and more).
But it is the new ChromaVerb (a fantastic reverb), EQ (Vintage Graphic/Tube/Console EQs) and Camel Audio (Step FX and Phat FX) plug-ins that I’m digging the most. I found that even only using the “Drive” setting of the “Vintage Console EQ”, bypassing the EQ section altogether, audio tracks sounded fuller and richer. And the ChromaVerb is beautiful and natural sounding/feeling to me.
Eli Krantzberg did a great tutorial for this update on Groove3.com.