Binary Interface

Welcome to the December edition of the Binary Interface newsletter, providing news and updates on what's new in our corner of the world of music technology. We always welcome any comments, suggestions or contributions. In this issue we explore some of the options in stand-alone or hardware-based digital audio, look at e-learning with Mastering Music, and we present a brief overview of several new products as well as some user feedback on previously featured items. As this is our last newsletter before the Christmas break, we would like to wish all our friends and clients a happy and safe festive season, and thank you all for your custom in 2004.

Hardware-based Digital Recording
Despite the popularity of computer-based digital recording, there is still a growing demand for stand-alone or so-called hardware-based digital recorders. The reason for this is portability and ease of use. These units range from simple 2-track recorders, such as the new handheld R-1 from Edirol, to full studio-replacement machines capable of recording 16 or more separate audio tracks simultaneously eg the Roland VS 2480.
At the lower end (under $1000) these machines can still record at full fidelity (the minimum required for an audio CD quality is 16-bit resolution and 44.1kHz sampling frequency), but will usually only be able to record 2-tracks at once. They also record to a memory card rather than a standard hard disk like the larger machines. An example of this type of unit is the Boss BR-864. This unit can record up to 8 tracks of audio, but only from 2 separate sources at once, so can be used in a classic 'overdubbing' type of recording situation, where tracks are added successively in layers, then mixed-down to 2 stereo tracks prior to export to a CD-burning device. The BR-864 also is limited by the size of memory card used. A standard 32 Mb card will typically hold about 4 songs, depending upon the number of tracks used in each. Of course you can add a now relatively cheap 256 Mb card or higher, to increase storage capacity, and can swap cards easily in and out for each project if you wish. These units also come with in-built rhythm and bass tracks, so you can start with these as a rhythm section using the built-in pattern sequencer before adding live instruments and vocals to round-out the performance.

An example mid-range unit is the Boss BR-1600CD. This unit comes complete with CD-burner and internal hard disk which enables large volume storage, and also allows up to 8 separate tracks of audio to be recorded at once. This gives more flexibility for live band and choir recording to separate the players and later remix and add more tracks if required. A total of 16 tracks can be used in this unit, with each track capable of holding up to 8 'virtual tracks' or takes of the same song. Once you are happy with the 'mix' and have added effects (such as reverb, compression, EQ etc) from the built-in effects library, you are ready to Master and burn to the internal CD. So these units represent a full studio-in-a-box, and are great for teaching students all the techniques of professional audio recording.

On-Site Recording Services

Our travelling recording team have been busy over the past few months recording schools and other groups as part of our on-site services. If you or your school is interested in producing a CD for next year, we are now taking bookings for 2005. As part of this service Binary Designs can handle all the AMCOS copyright requirements as well as details of production to final CD. Many schools have found a school CD to be a great memento for both kids and parents, and can be a good fund-raiser as well.

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The lessons are structured into three learning areas:
composing (experimenting with creating and editing music)
publishing (learning about writing and printing notation)
musicianship ( exercises that help to understand the language of music)

Each of these three areas contains a number of lesson topics, and each topic contains multiple levels of increasing difficulty. Each level has two screens, one is the lesson outline detailing the task to be completed, and the other is an activity screen where the task is completed. In addition, each lesson has on-line help and a Lesson Curriculum page which explains aims and objectives, activities, outcomes and assessment.

Mastering Music comes with two printed guides to assist in installation and usage: the Teacher's Guide and the IT Manager's Guide. Once installation is completed, teachers are required to undergo standard training in the use of Mastering Music before they are qualified to use the product.

For more details you can check out a Mastering Music video clip on the Datasonics web site:
www.datasonics.com.au/mmvideo.html

or simply phone us for more information.

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Evolution Releases eKeys Controllers
Evolution has just released the eKeys MIDI controller keyboard range.
Of special interest is the eKeys49 featuring 49 full-sized touch-sensitive keys. It is USB powered and is a class-compliant MIDI device when connected via USB to either Mac OS-X or Windows XP as it needs no driver to be installed. (driver disks are provided for Win98/Me/2000 and OS 9.1)
It comes bundled with a range of starter software for Windows to get you making music in the shortest possible time.

• Picture Board is a visual music notes game for young kids
• Sound Studio II is a full midi and audio sequencer package
• Music Teacher teaches you how to play a series of songs within a step-by-step interactive lesson format

The ekeys49 sells for only $199, making it by far the best value controller keyboard in its class.
Evolution have also released the EV-10 class-compliant USB 1-in, 1-out MIDI interface for $79.

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Casio's Keyboards for Education
Casio now have a full range of keyboards suitable for classroom and school performance, including digital pianos approved by AMEB.
They range from portables, to synths to full-size digital pianos.

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Professional Development Courses
Upcoming courses in January 2005:

Mon 10th - Wed 12th Jan: 3-day Intensive from 9:00am till 3:00pm daily
(covers creating and manipulating digital media using computer software, Superscope digital recorder, and video camera)

This course has strictly limited numbers and will be conducted at our Birkdale studios. Cost for the course is $510 for the 3 days and includes lunches.