Digital Audio & Music
Assignment 8
Demonstration of a Filter
Open a blank Cakewalk file and insert a Drop Zone software synthesizer. To choose a
waveform for the synthesizer to use, click on the top line of the main rectangular window
that says "empty." For this assignment, the best waveform to choose is at the end of the
list, number 900, "noise." Other, buzzy waveforms (such as a sawtooth wave; "saw ober”
is my favorite) can be used as well. Enter some notes in the middle to low range, enough
to last a good many seconds. A single pitch works best. You can use long sustained
notes or use a snappy techno rhythm. In the synthesizer window, click on the small arrow
next to the word "FILTER." Choose a band pass filter, the abbreviation is "BP 2p.” As
your file plays back, click on the "CUT OFF" dial and drag your mouse up and down to
change the setting on the dial. Once you have a feel for how it works, click the "W" write
button in the upper right-hand corner of the synthesizer window. This will record your
movements as the file plays back. Immediately after you create a take that you like, click
the "W" button off, so your work is not written over. The effect of changing the filter is even
more pronounced if you set the resonance to some middle value (the “RESO” dial straight
up). The resonance filter captures higher frequency energy and amplifies it a little bit,
reinforcing the clarity of the pitch.) Save your work as “assn8_your_name” in the DAM
folder on the assignments server.
Digital Audio & Music
Assignment 8
Demonstration of a Filter
Open a blank Cakewalk file and insert a Drop Zone software synthesizer. To choose a
waveform for the synthesizer to use, click on the top line of the main rectangular window
that says "empty." For this assignment, the best waveform to choose is at the end of the
list, number 900, "noise." Other, buzzy waveforms (such as a sawtooth wave; "saw ober”
is my favorite) can be used as well. Enter some notes in the middle to low range, enough
to last a good many seconds. A single pitch works best. You can use long sustained
notes or use a snappy techno rhythm. In the synthesizer window, click on the small arrow
next to the word "FILTER." Choose a band pass filter, the abbreviation is "BP 2p.” As
your file plays back, click on the "CUT OFF" dial and drag your mouse up and down to
change the setting on the dial. Once you have a feel for how it works, click the "W" write
button in the upper right-hand corner of the synthesizer window. This will record your
movements as the file plays back. Immediately after you create a take that you like, click
the "W" button off, so your work is not written over. The effect of changing the filter is even
more pronounced if you set the resonance to some middle value (the “RESO” dial straight
up). The resonance filter captures higher frequency energy and amplifies it a little bit,
reinforcing the clarity of the pitch.) Save your work as “assn8_your_name” in the DAM
folder on the assignments server.