Music in the Digital Space

Digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software called Logic.

High-end keyboards now double as a music workstation.

MIDI Lab of Allen Park High School were students can obtain a 21st century music education.

Podcast Script

Introduction. Time = 1:00
Music during segment: “Safe Passage” - Hanz Zimmer, “Symphony No. 5” - Beethoven, “Boogie on a Reggae Woman” - Stevie Wonder

Education. Politics. Communication. Nearly every aspect of our world has been entirely revamped due to the digital revolution and proliferation of the personal computer. Music is no different. Historically, the major limitation for advancing music as an art form has been the technology of the day. For example, Classical composers were confined to work with the acoustic instruments available during the turn of the 18th century. Back then, the various electronic effects of 20th century music were unheard of and simply not possible. Now, anyone with the necessary skills can compose digitally with any instrument or sound on the planet. In the past thirty years, the world of music technology has grown profusely. In this podcast, we are going to discuss the doors music technology has opened for composers and its influence on popular music.

New Tools. Time = 2:00
Music during segment: “Just as the Sun Went Down” - Tipper, “Concerto for Flute and Harp” - Mozart

Music technology has created a new world for musicians and composers. It has generated a broader spectrum of styles of composition and produced new genres of music. In an interview I conducted with audio engineer, Brendan Kelly, he commented that genres like Electronic, today’s Hip Hop, and Intelligent Dance Music “would be utterly impossible to create without the use of a synthesizer and a MIDI sequencer.” Sequencers have enabled us to compose on a digital timeline where the pitch, intensity, vibrato, and other parameters can be manipulated in any way the composer sees fit. Synthesizers, on the other hand, can create new sounds. These devices are also able to emulate the sound of any instrument that has ever existed. In some cases, the synthesizer can trigger an actual recording of an instrument, or sample, which is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. In effect, it has become immeasurably more convenient to use a synthesizer than, for example, spend $60,000 on a concert harp and learn how to play it. Armed with a computer, a synth, and some know-how, your music is only limited by your imagination.

Film Scoring. Time = 0:35
Music during segment: “Beetlejuice” - Danny Elfman

These electronic advances have been especially important in the area of film scoring. Composers no longer have to laboriously write their music out with pen and paper, rather they are able to sequence everything they want to express on a computer and then the software can print out all of the individual orchestral parts in standard musical notation. In a broader sense, composing in the digital space can be done entirely by ear and the composer does not necessarily have to have any understanding of musical notation.

Pop Music. Time = 0:35
Music during segment: “Nobody’s Perfect” - Hannah Montana

Not only has music technology helped out composers, it has, unfortunately, helped out untrained musicians. Pop music is often played by novice musicians and innovations like pitch correction and quantizing can correct off pitch and off beat notes, respectively. Therefore, these players can circumvent having a firm understanding of melody, harmony, and rhythm: the core of music. With the element of training out of the picture, it becomes easier for musicians to hastily put together a CD which sounds deceptively well done.

Conclusion. Time = 0:35
Music during segment: “When Doves Cry” - Prince

Recent advances in music technology have become a tremendous tool for musicians and composers of all disciplines. From the distinctive, keyboard-heavy sound of the 80’s to today’s R&B, the presence of digital effects is apparent. In actuality, music technology has been and will continue to be at the helm of the music industry for quite some time. To exemplify this, I leave you with a medley of songs that not only hold an important place in pop culture, but would not have been possible without the digital revolution.

Ending music: “Popular Music Medley” - Mike Fritz
Complete length: 4:30

Wildlife Project

As night falls and the oppressive daytime heat dissipates, a hoofed beast raises his flattened snout and leads his hungry sounder to scour the Michigan countryside for anything and everything. Since pigs were brought to North America by Spanish explorers in the 17th century, they have proven to be important livestock for settlers. Over time, these animals have escaped from farms or been released for different reasons. Some of the escaped pigs then interbred with wild Eurasian boars which were brought to the United States for hunting in the early 1900’s. Now, there is now a significant free-ranging, hybrid swine population in Michigan and across the country. This non-native, or invasive, specie reeks havoc on the ecosystem, crops, and could potentially spread disease to domesticated pigs. In Michigan, feral pig sightings have become more commonplace in the last eight years and their numbers are growing at an alarming rate. In order to prevent severe damage, aggressive action must be taken now to smother this prolific, destructive animal.
Feral swine are generating obscene disturbances in our fragile ecosystem. After a family of pigs wallow in a pond, the water becomes murky and the aquatic vegetation is trampled. This instigates algae blooms which devastates wetland habitats and lowers overall water quality. Similarly, the wallowing and digging of these 130+ pound invaders near a river leads to bank erosion. If left to their own devices, feral swine would lay waste to wetland and watercourse habitats. Not only do they make a mess, free-ranging pigs eat whatever plants or animals come their way, living or dead. Therefore, many native and endangered species must compete with the mushrooming pig population for food. Armed with four pointed tusks, wild boars will even prey upon fawns, lambs, calves, and weakened adult livestock. The effects of their behavior are felt in all parts of the food chain.
Not only do feral pigs ravage the environment, they can do a number on the agricultural industry. Hogs gorge themselves on mature or seeding crops and use their
snout and excellent sense of smell to dig up seeds in freshly planted fields. All of this rooting and foraging results in destroyed pastures, broken fences and feeders, and forgone profit. The more serious threat, however, is the transmission of disease to commercial livestock. Feral pigs are known carriers of pseudorabies and brucellosis, the latter of which is contagious to humans. Pseudorabies is of special concern because it is a viral disease that causes stillbirths and abortions in pigs and can be fatal to other animals including cattle, horses, and goats. Once a pig is infected, the individual carries the disease for life and it can be transmitted through direct contact or contaminated feed and water. In a recent study by the Michigan DNR, 5 of 26 feral swine tested positive for pseudorabies. Cleary, their numbers must be controlled immediately so as to prevent a viral outbreak in the commercial pork and dairy industry.
Encouraging sportsmen to hunt and trap free-ranging hogs is a quick and effective way to tackle this growing problem. Currently, under Michigan law, hunters can shoot feral swine while legally hunting game during an open season of any type. However, this does not apply to all Michigan counties because swine are not defined as wildlife, rather agricultural products. Some local governments contend that recognizing an escaped domesticated pig from a feral one is hardly possible; in other words, they want to prevent escaped livestock from being killed accidentally. If we are to eradicate this pest, then such legal issues ought to be put aside in the interest of the depredated wildlife. Accordingly, the Michigan DNR should do as the Wisconsin DNR has done and classify feral pigs as unprotected wild animals with no harvest limit, no closed season, and harvesting in all counties. Cage traps, although inherently monstrous, should also be a legal option for Michiganders.
Immediate, aggressive action is necessary to purge our fragile ecosystem of this invader. In Oregon Public Broadcasting’s invasive species documentary, The Silent Invasion, it is stressed that we can no longer afford to be ignorant and immobile when it comes to invasive species. Global trade has played a major role in the recent explosion of invasive species at home and abroad. Moreover, feral swine pale in comparison to the damage other non-native organisms can do to local economies and quality of life. For example, Spartina or cord grass, native to the Atlantic coast, has taken over some of China’s most important, fruitful waterways. It is becoming increasingly plain to see that this is truly a global issue. In a broad sense, we all need to be thoughtful of cleaning our boats, disposing of yard waste, transporting plants or animals, and releasing pets into the wild. In many ways, invasive species are “the new litter”; it is going to take public education, legislation, and perhaps even a crying Indian ad to ensure the future of our planet.

Project #1

Confronting Waste in Big Pharma

Everybody knows not to take drugs past the expiration date. In actuality, few are aware that the manufacturer’s “expiration date” and the actual shelf life of the medication can be years apart. The current law requires drug companies to prove that their products are safe and effective until a certain date. However, this date is chosen by the drug company and may not be anywhere near the time the compound begins to degrade. Moreover, drug companies often print very conservative shelf lives on medications in order to ensure high product turnover. In effect, I believe that Congress should pass legislation that makes expiration dates reflect drug stability rather than marketing by pharmaceutical companies.
In the process of researching this topic, I found the adverse ramifications of the current system staggering. With increased product turnover comes increased use of raw materials. Many medications are composed of plant products, crude oil derivates, minerals, and other finite, precious resources. Therefore, the waste of the drug companies is two-fold; more resources are being allocated for goods that will be disposed of prematurely. Another ugly problem bolstered by medication waste is minute concentrations of prescription drugs found in urban water supplies. The AP projects that hospitals and other health care institutions flush 250 million pounds of expired, unused, or unneeded pharmaceuticals and contaminated packaging annually.
The most tragic consequence of inaccurate expiration dates, however, is beyond our borders. Third World countries receive significant quantities of donated medications that were produced in the United States. The World Health Organization advises these countries to reject donations if they are within a year of the manufacturer’s expiration date. This means that many desperately needed drugs are squandered for no legitimate reason.
Another astonishing finding was the drug companies’ stance on this subject. They contend that extending expiration dates would be costly, time consuming, and ultimately slow the rate at which new products will be put on the market. Granted, having a products with shorter shelf lives keeps the money flowing, but the line must be drawn somewhere. Shorter shelf lives preys on the consumer while the drug companies can spend less time testing medication, less time worrying about liability, and enjoy inflated profits.
The little-known issue of drug expiration deserves national attention and congressional discussion. It has been more than 20 years since the FDA brought shelf life into the public eye with its enlightening research on extending the shelf life of military medicinal stockpiles. When it comes to taking action on the topic, the FDA avoids responsibility by stating that consumer interests are not of its concern. Similarly, the American Medical Association skirts the issue by urging the pharmaceutical industry to collaborate with consumers and the FDA to discuss what could be done. After doing my research, it seems to me that the notion of extending expiration dates is largely ignored because there is too much money tied to the pharmaceutical industry. Hopefully reform is on the horizon because this accelerated consumption and disposal of medications is not sustainable indefinitely.

Web Site: http://sites.google.com/site/expiredmeds/Home

Project #1 Idea

I want to advocate that congress passes legislation that requires drug companies to print expiration dates on medications that reflect when the drug begins to lose potency or become harmful.

The current law requires drug companys to prove that a drug is good until whatever date the company chooses to set. In effect, this date is more a reflection of marketing and product turnover rather than scientific data.

My audience would be all U.S. citizens of voting age. Prescription and over the counter drugs are ubiquitous in today's age and this is an important issue that all voters should be aware of.

Having expiration dates that are in the best interests of the drug companies is a gross waste of resources. The proposed reform would save consumers money in not having to throw away and replace "expired" medication. It would conserve the raw materials that go into medications like plant products and crude oil derivatives. Furthermore, these drugs are bought and sold all over the world.

My screenshot depicts me writing music using a composition program called Powertab. This program is extremely useful because it presents the work in standard musical notation, guitar tablature, and midi. Therefore, the guitar players in my band can deduce what to play by reading the notes, tabs, and listening to the song. Not only is Powertab provide a way to save your compositions, it is a great learning tool.

Composing music in a digital space definitely changes the way I tackle the project. Perhaps the most useful feature of Powertab is hearing what you have written played back to you with whatever tempo or tone you desire. This is especially useful when there are several tracks or you are trying to get some harmonies just right. Additionally, the simple copy and paste function make revisions quick and easy.

However, there are some important things to keep in mind when writing music on a PC. One must remember that real guitars sound much different than the midi playback and that the music needs to be tabbed out in player-friendly fashion. It is also much easier to lose sight of musical intent and level of difficultly using Powertab as opposed to the more traditional way of composing using an instrument.

One way to better understand how to compose music in the digital space is to couple software like Powertab with the traditional way of using an instrument. Using the program alone, you must formulate and arrange musical ideas in your head which is challenging and can lead to some of the previously mentioned difficulties. Using the instrument as the primary writing tool is probably the way to go so as to achieve the best composition.