MIDI Workshop

In this session, we were taught an alternative way to add audio and sounds to visuals by using the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) and various plug-ins using pro-tools. It was explained to us that the MIDI itself is not an actual instrument, but a tool used in conjunction with the plug-ins installed on Pro-tools. When the keys are hit, it tells the software which notes to record. Darryl also explained some basic controls of the MIDI, including how to move down an octave and adjustments of the sound. I found this to be an incredibly useful workshop, for the reason that it has been a struggle to find music and sounds which have the ability to set a mood or provoke an emotion, without having to deal with the issues of copyright. It also provides us with the ability to be able to create and control every aspect of a projects.
Once the basic controls were explained, we were set the task of creating a short piece using the MIDI and the pro-tools plug-ins. This was to go along with one of a selection of clips provided, in order to try and set a mood and pace with the visual image. The variation of sounds available in the different programmes is huge, but it took quite a lot of sorting to find a selection of sounds which didn't sound comical or inappropriate. Once selected, there is the option to edit the notes that you have laid down, including changing the sound, looping, moving it up/down an octave and so on.
We were given a few examples of electronic compositions for various film sound-tracks. A notable one was of David Fincher's Gone Girl. The soundtrack composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The track is very provocative, and it's purpose is definitely to push a certain mood or emotion within the viewer. The high-pitch and pulsing notes definitely reinforce the mood set by the scene.

When it came to experimenting with the sounds to produce a short piece to go with the provided clips, I became quite personally overwhelmed by the huge choice of sounds, but quite intimidated because of the fact that I have very little music ability. However, it soon became apparent that this was not entirely necessary. I chose to create a short composition for a si-fi/space scene, managed to use the MIDI to create a track to go with the atmosphere and tone of the scene. (Due to the Mac I was using crashing I was unfortunatly unable to save an example of this).

Example of how the notes are laid down in pro-tools