Set up a timer. Decide how much time you want to spend for composing, how much for mixing, and how for mastering.
Write a 30 sec. to 1 min. cue.
The goal for this assignment is not to be perfect, but rather to be effective.
The idea is to experiment composing under pressure. Don’t try to write something that’s very complex or that you don’t feel comfortable with. Chose a style you’re good at and try to compose as fast as possible.
At this stage, you should have a template set up that includes a set of patches for sketching. Also, you’ve already composed a couple of tracks with your template and you’re getting used to it. You know what instruments you’ve got loaded and how they sound.
Decide how much time you want to spend in this assignment and try to compose a short cue under that time.
Remember that the goal here is not perfection. We’re testing our efficiency skills and our system performance, while still maintaining a professional sound.
Have fun!
You can use free programs like Windows Live Movie Maker to add an image to an audio track so you can convert it into a .WMV video file. After you’ve converted the file, you can then upload it to YouTube.
Here’s how you convert audio tracks into .WMV video files on Windows Live Movie Maker:
Part 1: Select your audio and image files
- Select Add videos and Photos from the bar at the top, then choose an image from your computer. This image will be displayed in your slideshow.
- Click Add music and select your audio track.
Part 2: Adjust the image to fit the audio track
To make sure the file is properly uploaded on YouTube, you’ll need to adjust the duration of the image to match the duration of the audio track on your timeline.
- Double click the green audio bar in the timeline, which will display “End point”. Copy the End point number (e.g. 261.49).
- Double click the image thumbnail in the timeline, and enter a duration equal to the length of the audio track. For example, if the audio track has a length of 261.49 the image duration should be adjusted to 261.49 as well.
Part 3: Save your file
- Choose Recommended for this project.
- After naming your movie, click Save.
You can use a program like iMovie to add an image to an audio track so you can convert it into a .MOV video file. After you’ve converted the file, you can then upload it to YouTube.
Here’s how you convert audio tracks into .MOV video files on iMovie:
Part 1: Add an image and audio file
- Drag an image file from your computer into the project area.
- Drag the audio file into the project area
Part 2: Adjust the image to fit the audio track
To make sure the file is properly uploaded on YouTube, you’ll need to adjust the duration of the image to match the duration of the audio track on your timeline.
- Click the gear menu in the green box
- Click Clip Adjustments and copy the numbers under “Source Duration”. This is the length of your audio track.
- Next, hover your mouse over the thumbnail of the image, and click the gear that appears (not the gear in the green box)
- Select Clip Adjustments
- Enter the numbers from the “Source Duration” in Step 2 into the “Duration” field.
- Click Done
Part 3: Save your file
- Click the Share menu
- Select Export using QuickTime…
- Name your file and click Save
