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Sequencing software for schools?


tomo2607

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Im looking for a cheap and cheerfull sequencing package for windows. Nothing flash or complicated. Its for a key stage 3 module that is being introduced to keep offstead happy with the use of technology...

 

I have looked at things such as cubase sx etc, and if I had my way id just use garage band, but the classroom its intended for is filled with PC's. So needs to be windows based...

 

Any sugestions would be great, or examples of what your school (if relevent) uses for things such as this.

 

It is based on KS3 use so years 7-9.

 

 

Thanks

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Im looking for a cheap and cheerfull sequencing package for windows. Nothing flash or complicated. Its for a key stage 3 module that is being introduced to keep offstead happy with the use of technology...

 

I have looked at things such as cubase sx etc, and if I had my way id just use garage band, but the classroom its intended for is filled with PC's. So needs to be windows based...

 

Any sugestions would be great, or examples of what your school (if relevent) uses for things such as this.

 

It is based on KS3 use so years 7-9.

 

 

Thanks

 

Reaper seems to do a reasonable spread of audio/MIDI stuff. A more MIDI-centric solution might be the 'Evolution' branded sequencers if they still exist.

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An easy one - schools on PCs use Cubase if they want progression - so many are using things like LE or the other cut-down versions, although the others are worth a punt if you don't like Steinberg, Sonar often gets good comments from schools I visit, although I don't use it myself.

 

Whatever happens - make sure nobody foists Sibelius on you. It's superb at producing scores, but some schools try to use it as a sequencer (which it isn't, of course) and it sucks at that!

 

I have Cubase 5 here, but LE on one spare machine and it's easy to use both - although backwards compatibility isn't good.

 

A few schools have Ableton, but I've never used it, so can't comment on how good it is at sequencing.

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An easy one - schools on PCs use Cubase if they want progression - so many are using things like LE or the other cut-down versions, although the others are worth a punt if you don't like Steinberg, Sonar often gets good comments from schools I visit, although I don't use it myself.

 

Whatever happens - make sure nobody foists Sibelius on you. It's superb at producing scores, but some schools try to use it as a sequencer (which it isn't, of course) and it sucks at that!

 

I have Cubase 5 here, but LE on one spare machine and it's easy to use both - although backwards compatibility isn't good.

 

A few schools have Ableton, but I've never used it, so can't comment on how good it is at sequencing.

 

We already have Sibelius 6 here but I have persuaded them not to attempt usuing it for sequencing. I havent used ableton but have heard good things, just a little concerned on whether its simple enough.

 

Thanks guys

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Hell! 7-9 year olds can work computers far better than many adults!

The practical upshot is that even the simplest sequencer will let them record, play and select the kind of sound that come out the end! It's bells and whistles that start to make the differences. Is there a need to actually display a score? Will they be using in-built sounds on the yucky sound card, or an external synth, or something sample based? These are more tricky to manage than the actual software. Note based, or loop based - makes a big difference to what they can do with it. The complications are always the really basic things like getting what they create onto a CD. external synths and modules mean cables, and small mixers and levels and all sorts of 'complications'. Sounds created or replayed in the box can usually be exported as a 'done deal'.

 

What really annoys me now is that my collection of sound modules, synths and other kit in my studio now end up being recorded back into the computer system so I can use the processing, effects and mixdown automation in the machine and the critical export function.

 

Simple system need to remain in the software, if you can.

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What kind of thing are you looking to do with it?

 

We use both Reason (by Propellerhead) and Cubase 5 in our music technology room. Cubase does Audio recording and manipulation, which Reason doesn't, but the sounds in Reason a superb. This is because it uses real sampled sounds - you create a device, load a sample in to it and then record into it using MIDI. The educational version is extremely cheap for what it is IIRC.

 

I find the UI intuitive and tasks like quantizing can be done at the touch of one button.

 

I think something like this would be good for 7 - 9, as Cubase can be quite complex at times - I quite often find myself scratching my head over it!

 

The best bet would be to download demos of Reason and Cubase and have a play for yourself. We also have Ableton at school, but I haven't used it in great depth and I've yet to hear hugely positive comments about it.

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Reason have brought out a sequencer/audio recorder called record which integrates with Reason. The kids at work are far quicker with reason than I am, they find it quick and simple.

 

I'd certainly have a look at the demo of record if we were buying new software!

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Just to clarify, the software is needed for years 7-9 in a high scool, not 7-9 years old.

 

We really just need it to get the students more technology biased. So far all we have is one purpose built studio. This runs using a power mac and logic pro via a 12 I/o soundcard and a simple mixer. There is split into a recording booth and control room with a 12 way patch bay. This is only used by the Alevel students. The Gcse students use it too, but only under my supervision or me operating it all.

 

we also have 10 standalone computers in one music room. each has a midi keyboard for use with sibelius. This tends to be used to score music for there composition modules.

 

We have been told by the powers that be, that offstead require us to get students using more technology during there lessons. to do this the school is opting to do a sequencing module as well as offer students more options for compostion modules, such as as remix or sequencing a track.

 

 

 

 

As for reason and cubase, I have used both quite extensively and im sure we could get by with them, but my concern is that it may be overkill for a single module. Im looking into Fruity loops for sequencing. Its simple to use and the demo version is quite indepth. It has load sof features and no "trial period" so I may try this for a while and see how it goes. The full version is only £49 per pc so fairly cheap. My plan for the long term is to get the students technologically apt, so I can allow them to get more out of the Logic studio we have.

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Many schools that have a 6th form, and colleges that also do Level 2 don't do the split that we're talking here. Their machines have a spread of software so when the A Level Music Technology people need to do the 'under supervision' bit, they can be in the same room as the teacher doing a Level 2 class, and carry on working. Standardising software makes huge sense as you gain two spaces that can have crossover if you need it. Some people working supposedly at Level 2 can easily work on the full versions of the software - having the split forces you to always have different things in different rooms. Most 14 year olds can easily cope with full programmes and as most 'cut-down' versions just have boxes in the menus missing - it's not really a case of having simple versions, just less sophisticated options.
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We use Sonar and Fruity Loops (now called FL Studio) For our lower school stuff, as well as logic, pro tools and sibelius 6 as they grow up a bit!

 

Both sonar and Fruity Loops are simple to use but get good results as well as being able to lay down the basics for the stuff later on...not too badly priced either!

 

Steve

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I'm a Sonar fan, have used most of the software mentioned above, but Sonar is the favourite. I am however a little biased, as I output Midi directly to a Korg Triton, so have no issues with 'sound generation', and have a Triton Instrument file for Sonar, so I can directly control it from within Sonar. This gives me a good environment for what I'm doing.

 

One of the other features of Sonar I like, is the ability to play back videos. May be useful if other departments want to put an audio track to a video.

 

I'm using an old version, Sonar 6, Producer edition.

 

Also, to add - I hate Fruity Loops (FL Studio) with a passion, but my daughter absolutley loves it .

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OT, but I'm also a Sonar fan, though I'm on an even older version (Producer 3.0). I don't have the advantages of a Triton (nice synth!) but have a lot of VSTi instruments that sound pretty good and I enjoy the ability to export directly to wave without an analogue step.

 

Actually, to drag this vaguely back onto topic, I recall that, at least back when my kids were still in high school, their school did use Sonar. I recall helping out some of their school chums with exporting files and burning CDs.

 

Bob

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I found Fruity Loops to be very easy, and has a fair amount of room to expand in terms of editing sounds if your students get the hang of it. its a shame the room is full of PC's and Not Macs as garage band would be the perfect choice.
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