Prince George’s Community College
MUS1600 – MIDI Sequencing I
Fall 2012 Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Phone Numbers:
Web:
Email:
Ned Judy, Associate Professor of Music
Marlboro Hall 1069
301-322-0954 office
301-322-0955 music department
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~njudy
njudy@pgcc.edu
Course Description: Introduction to the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and its musical
applications. Topics include the history of MIDI, and its various specifications and components,
including General MIDI; keyboards and interfaces; synthesizers and sound modules; sequencers and
DAWs; MIDI file format and conversion; and synchronization.
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
describe the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, its various specifications, and the benefits it provides
musicians; describe various components used in MIDI systems, and how to locate information about
each component's set of MIDI capabilities; produce a multitimbral MIDI project that will play correctly
on a variety of listening platforms; design and configure a computer based DAW, optimized for MIDI
sequencing and music production; and describe basic techniques heard in existing MIDI sequences,
recognized through listening.
Required Reading: Freely-available web resources, including documents from http://www.midi.org
Required Equipment: USB flash memory, or similar USB storage device
Class Time and Location: 9:00 AM - 10:40 PM, Tuesday and Thursday, Room M-1016
Grading Criteria: All grades will be calculated using a standard scale, from 0 to 100.
100 – 90 = A
89 – 80 = B
79 – 70 = C
69 – 60 = D
less than 60 = F
The final grade will be calculated according to the following:
20% quizzes
30% lab assignments
30% tests
20% final exam
Quizzes: This course will include numerous quizzes that may include both applied computer skills and
written work. Quizzes will not be announced in advance. There will be no makeup quizzes.
Lab Assignments: Projects will be assigned regularly in the MIDI lab, and will grow progressively
more complex as the semester proceeds. Limited open lab hours will be available in M-1016.
Tests: This course will include two written tests (not including the final exam), each covering a major
section of course material. The date of each exam will be announced at least one week in advance.
Final Exam: The final exam will be cumulative.
Q Grade: Students are expected to attend and participate in class activities. Students who either never
attended the class or who ceased attendance during the first 20 percent of the course will be assigned a
“Q” grade by the instructor. Early termination from a course may result in reduction in student loans
and financial aid and may require the student to reimburse funds to the funding agency.
MUS1600- Fall 2012 page 2 of 3
COURSE OUTLINE:
1. Early performance synthesizers, proprietary interfaces, and the need for MIDI
2. Digital instruments and the MIDI Implementation Chart
3. MIDI Manufactures Association and MIDI documentation
4. Basics of MIDI: Messages, Controllers, Channels, Modes (omni, mono, poly, multi)
5. Physical connectors, hardware instruments, local control
6. Human interfaces: keyboard, guitar, percussion, wind and others
TEST 1
7. Sequencers, Drum Machines and MIDI software
8. MIDI files and proprietary DAW files
9. General MIDI
10. Basic Sequencing Skills: Configuration with controllers and sound sources, real-time entry, step
entry, mouse entry, file importing, editing, mixing, exporting, rendering, distributing/sharing.
11. Synthesizers and samplers: Oscillators, Filters, Amplifiers, Envelopes, FM, Wavetable
TEST 2
12. System Exclusive messages and patch libraries
13. MIDI Time Code, Song Position Pointer, and synchronization
14. Alternative, non-musical uses for MIDI
FINAL EXAM - Tuesday, December 11th., at 9:00am in M-1016
MUS1600- Fall 2012 page 3 of 3
IMPORTANT COURSE AND REGISTRATION DATES:
Log in to myPGCC from my.pgcc.edu or from www.pgcc.edu for updates and announcements.
No classes – College closed – Labor Day
Last day to apply for fall graduation
Last day to change from “credit to audit” for full-semester classes
No classes – College closed – College Enrichment Day
Last day to withdraw from full-semester classes
No classes – Start of Thanksgiving Break
No classes – College closed – Thanksgiving Break
Final exam period/last week of fall 2012 classes
Saturday-Monday, September 1-3
Monday, September 17
Friday, September 21
Tuesday, October 30
Friday, November 16
Wednesday, November 21
Thursday-Sunday, November 22-25
Monday-Sunday, December 10-16
FINAL EXAM FOR THIS COURSE: Tuesday, December 11, at 9:00am in M-1016
DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS:
When the college announces a delayed opening, all classes with at least 45 minutes of class time
remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of a 10 a.m. opening, a
9:30-10:45 a.m. class will be held. This procedure applies to all credit classes. To sign up for text
alerts such as school closings and delays, log in to myPGCC from my.pgcc.edu or from www.pgcc.edu
and click Owl Alert Notification System on the Bookmarks tab. Owl Alert is the college’s instant
messaging and email notification system.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office
(B-124) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and
accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their
instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.
Study hard and have a great semester!