Computer Recording Software

Goals

• Reinforce the information you learned last week by reviewing the material and seeking out enrichment material.
  
  
• Be familiar with the brands of preamps, dynamics processors, channel strips, EQ, reverb, multi-effects, monitors, heaphones, field and hand held recorders

Study

• Study the theory lesson.
  
  
• Read pp.404–523 in the ProGear guide (twice).
  
  

Assignment - see Blackboard for details

1. Write two case sudies, one on a company that makes audio interfaces, and another that makes software plugins. Sign up on our case study list for the company from each category that you want to research so that no one else picks the same one. Incorporate feedback from the announcement this week on taking the case studies to a new level (3 points each, 6 points total).
   
   
2. Rate yourself on skills relevent to technical support work (2 points)

Look at some of the listings for jobs in technical support on a site with jobs related to music technology and make a list of qualities and experiences employers are looking for. Imagine you are preparing for a job interview where you think you might be asked about your experiences in technical support, where you are strongest, and where you need to grow.

a) What jobs or other experiences have you had where you helped people solve their problems with hardware, software, and/or other issues? What transferrable skills do you have in other areas that could be applied to technical support?

b) Reorder the following list with the ones you are strongest in at the top, and the weakest in at the bottom. These are the qualities mentioned as desireable for technical support positions on Sweetwater's job site:

• Fluency with MIDI and audio recording concepts
• Knowledge of DAWs such as Pro Tools, Sonar, Reason, Logic, Studio One, etc.
• Knowledge of Windows operating system
• Knowledge of Apple operating system
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Level of organization
• Ability to promptly complete assigned tasks
• Comfort with multitasking
• Patience
• Ability to explain technical issues to users at sill levels from beginner to professional

c) For the ones at the top of the list that are your strong points, give some of the details of an experience for each that you've had that demonstrates your ability. For the ones at the bottom that you are weaker at, provide some of the details of an experience for each that you've had that didn't go as well as it could have, and what you could do in the future to improve in that area.

3. Compare the features of the two of the following DAW software packages that you are the least familiar with (2 points):

1. Digidesign Pro Tools
2. Ableton Live
3. Apple Logic Pro
4. PreSonus Studio One
5. Steinberg Cubase
6. Cakewalk Sonar
7. Propellerhead Reason
8. Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer
9. Cockos Reaper

Consider such factors as:

• what type of situations it is best suited for
• number of tracks allowed
• MIDI support
• video support
• power vs. ease of learning (the more features a program has, the harder it is to learn)
• whether it is tied to a particular audio interface or not
• ease of looping
• mastering tools
• integrated music notation