DIY NEW MEDIA: Getting Yourself Online

5. Multimedia

  •   AUDIO
    • Programs and Uses
      • Audacity : Recording, Mixing, Looping, Mastering [for both PC & Mac]
      • Windows Sound: Recording - Open your PC. Go to -->Start -->Accessories -->Entertainment -->Sound Recorder. It's there, promise
      • Modplug Tracker: Beat Making [PC only. Worth vetting a virtualizer] - Amazing, in use for over a decade by the underground. For making anything from beats to symphonies using basically a spreadsheet.
      • HammerHead: Simple and fun drum machine for PC.
      • Freesound: A sound and sample cataloging project, CC Liscensing.

    • Getting music to use
      • Record or make yourself using windows sound recorder, modtracker…
      • Use other peoples: freesound project
      • Practice using looping and effects
        i.     Download, install
        ii.     Import mp3 or ogg or wav files
        iii.     Use to loop
        iv.     Record, normalize vocals
        v.     Fun effects!
    • Recording vocals
      • Using any mic is better than not recording yourself! Your computer has a mic and so does the dollar store and radio shack.
      • Cost range $1 - $500 – ebay, radioshack, dollar store
      • Best practices:
        • Angle the mic @ 70 – 100 degrees to get the most sound waves with the least air pops
        • Stand up. Talk clearly.
        • Normalize.
        • Add music: make it yourself or take samples from online. Beatmatch or try.
    • 4. Basics of Putting it online
      • Save as an .mp3 – worse sound quality, smaller file
      • Upload to your server
      • Use an <embed> tag: website, blog or MySpace.
    • 5. Additionally…
      • Timing of music – I often use really simple loops because I Like to improvise while I perform and timing gets fucked sometimes
      • Getting sounds to be not too loud, etc
      • Performing: Mp3s can be put on a cd and handed to a dj. Music on an ipod can be plugged into a sound board or amp with the right cord!
  • VIDEO
    • Format:
      • Animated - Flash and slideshows [using static images]
      • Motion video [moving images]