Monthly Archives: July 2021

Big Data code optimization in Python NumPy: Sound Processing TUTORIAL

Programming is one of the most flexible fields I know of. You can create a program that achieves a certain task in so many ways. However, that does not mean that all ways are equal. Some are better than others.

That is especially visible when your program has to work with big data. Working with big data means working with gigantic arrays and matrices.

You can create a program that achieves the same task like the other one, but it does so 1000 times faster. It all depends on how you code and which coding practices you use.

And this is what you will learn here. You will learn the good and the bad coding practices, so that you would learn to code the right way when dealing with big data.

In this 100% project based course, we will use Python, the Numpy and the Moviepy library to create a fully functional sound processing program.

This program will import your videos in sequence, extract their audio, automatically identify the silent intervals in that audio, and then cut them out while still keeping some silence on the edges to preserve a bit of pause in between sentences.

Sound processing naturally deals with millions and millions array elements and so it really matters how we write that program. We will do it in a bad way and in a good way, because I want you to see both sides of the coin.

In the end, you will see that the last version of your Python Numpy code will be more than 1000 times faster than the first version, and so, you will see how to code and how definitely not to code.

Finally, I really want you to see that this knowledge is universal and can be applied in other fields as well, not only audio processing. And therefore, in the last section, there will be an assignment in computer vision.

Digital images are in fact, gigantic matrices, and so, it really matters how you handle them in the code. We will build a small program that can binarize these images and we will also do it in a good and in a bad way.

We will use the Python image processing library called Pillow to process all this big data inside the image matrices.

After this course, you will know how to approach programming in the right way from the beginning. Take a look at some of my free preview videos and if you like what you see, then, ENROLL NOW and let’s get started! I’ll see you inside.

What you’ll learn:

• Code optimization in Python using the NumPy library
• Sound processing in Python using the MoviePy library
• Fundamentals of digital images

Links

Guitartricks How to Play Ode To Joy by Beethoven TUTORIAL

Let’s learn a very simple arrangement of a beautiful melody: Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” theme! We’ll take this one in three steps: first the single note melody, the we’ll learn the theme in two voices, and finally we’ll add a third voice for a full arrangement.

In this intro lesson we’ll go over what is covered in this tutorial.
The melody we are using is from the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. It’s known as the Ode To Joy theme because Beethoven used the words from Friedrich Schiller’s poem of the same name as the basis of the choral lyrics that are sung with the melody in his symphony finale.

We’ll play it in C major so it will be relatively easy to arrange for solo classical guitar. We’ll start by arranging the theme as a simple, single note melody. Next, we’ll have a play-through of the melody.

Then, we’ll find places to add a bass note or two to each measure until we have a complete bass line; a second voice to accompany our single note melody. We’ll develop a complete two voice arrangement. Then, we’ll have a play-through.

Finally, we’ll find places to add inner voices, or middle voices to flesh out our two voice arrangement. Usually this will involve finding appropriate chord tones to use along with the melody and bass line. Eventually, we’ll have a complete classical guitar style arrangement with a melody completely supported by two other integrated voices, a full three voice arrangement! We’ll end up with a play-through of this full arrangement.

Links

Dave will show you the guitar parts in this song, from the squealing intro licks, to the power chord riffs in a boogie rhythm, to the whammy bar filled solo. “Tobacco Road” is in the key of D minor and 4/4 time at a tempo of about 140 BPM.

The guitar tone is classic 80’s – a super Strat equipped with a floating whammy bar with locking nut, ideally a Floyd Rose style, and a hot humbucker pickup in the bridge position. The amp is a hot-rodded Marshall with loads of high gain and for EQ, set the bass at 2 o’clock, mid at 12 o’clock, and treble at 2 o’clock, and overdrive at 1 o’clock. These settings should get you pretty close to the desired tones using whatever gear you have, but feel free to adjust accordingly.

For the single guitar performance, play Guitar 1 for the entire song except the solo, where you’ll switch to Guitar 2.

Links

Mixing & Sound Design: Multimode Filters TUTORIAL

Do you need to understand the theory, practical applications, and creative applications of multimode filters? In this course, producer and instructor Evan Sutton shows you how to use multimode filters for several types of sound design and musical projects.

Evan begins with an explanation of basic low-pass and high-pass filter theory. Then he explains mixing with high-pass filters and low-pass filters. He goes into mid/side filtering, band-pass filters, and hybrid filters.

Then he concludes with ways you can use filters as FX.

Links

Tips & Tricks For Modern Producers TUTORIAL

Are you interested in taking your productions to the next level? In this course, instructor Evan Sutton shares tips, workarounds, and time-saving techniques that can help music producers work smarter in the studio and enhance their final productions.

Evan dives into drum programming and processing, and discusses synth programming, including how to get from MIDI to audio. He also shares practical tips that can help audio engineers as they work with vocals and get their mixes ready for mastering.

Plus, learn how to apply EQ precisely, combine additive and subtractive EQ methods, and smooth out peaks and standing resonances with multiband compression.

Links

Creating with Ableton Live Plugins & Instruments TUTORIAL

Explore the wide variety of powerful plugins and instruments in Ableton Live 10, the popular music production software. Instructor Rick Schmunk starts with an in-depth look at Sampler and how to create multi-sample presets, as well as overviews of the core instruments Electric and Collision. Rick moves on to cover audio and MIDI plug-ins through a variety of walkthroughs, tips, tricks, and examples.

Topics include:

• Sampler in-depth
• Preparing and loading multi-sample instrument presets
• Electric overview
• Audio plugins
• Multi-channel dynamics
• Random
• Vocoder
• Vinyl distortion
• Collision overview
• Resonator
• LFO

Links

The Songwriting Process TUTORIAL

Songwriting is a craft that requires creativity and discipline. By adopting a regular process, you can set yourself up for more productive and inspired sessions. In this course, professional songwriter and music industry veteran Cliff Goldmacher offers tips, tricks, and workflow suggestions for new and experienced songwriters alike. You can learn how to set up your songwriting space for effortless creativity, how to research your ideas, how to overcome writer’s block and procrastination, how to develop chords and lyrics, and how to write better songs overall. Plus, get tips for working effectively with a cowriter and sharing your songs once they are complete

Topics include:

•Keeping track of your song ideas
•Setting up a songwriting space
•Eliminating distractions
•Writing out chord charts
•Registering your song with your RPO
•Tips for cowriting songs

Links

Audio for Video Editors: Essential Terms TUTORIAL

Learn the science behind some of the most essential digital audio terms that pop up in the post-production process. Join audio post-production engineer Cheryl Ottenritter as she dives into an array of key concepts, explaining how each one plays into the creation of high-quality audio. Learn how sample rates are used in digital audio, as well as what perceived loudness, or LKFS, is and how to mix with it in mind. Plus, learn how understanding sound fields can help you select the right audio track type, what the most common audio track layouts are, and more.

•Identifying audio frequencies
•How sample rate is used in digital audio
•Using audio meters for a better mix
•Signal flow and gain stages
•Mixing with perceived loudness (LKFS) in mind
•Common audio deliverables

Links

Lynda Learning Audacity TUTORIAL

Audacity is a free, open-source, multitrack audio editing application that can be used to record live audio, edit sound files, change the speed or pitch of a recording, and more. In this course, instructor Garrick Chow demonstrates how to download and install Audacity on both Mac and Windows, record live audio, and import and play existing audio files. See how to perform basic editing tasks such as copying and pasting audio, splitting clips, and adding effects. Garrick also shows more advanced tasks including adding compression and automating volume levels.

Topics include:

• Downloading and installing Audacity
• Importing audio
• Setting up hardware to record
• Recording two tracks simultaneously
• Basic editing and common effects
• Splitting clips
• Exporting a project
• Inserting silence
• Bleeping unwanted words and sounds

Links