What to use for a *simple* class 1st film score project

[joelfriedman]

If I were you, and you were me, and we were all together... OK, I'm a DP user and teaching a class in writing for the stage but due to Covid complications I have to replace some class time and assignments with a tiny unit giving them a taste of film score. It's going to be very KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). We're doing the Zoom thing and the students are all over the country (Covid again!) and not all even own a DAW (they're more opera-musical theater people).

So what is free, yet still useful? I'm imagining making them do a simple 60-90" project. This is more for the experience than the actual results.
1. GarageBand?It's free! They have it on their laptops. I know it has VIs and can import a movie. I don't know if it allows tempo changes (if needed) or hit points.
2. Reaper? 60 day trial/$60 edu license. I do not know the app, but I believe you can import a movie, I'm guessing it's way more full-featured and would allow tempo changes, but can it do hit points, does it include VIs?
3. Anything else?

I suppose another angle Could be to use Sibelius or Finale, but that isn't either in my wheelhouse (I only use Sibelius for notation) or really the way things are normally done.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Joel

[mikehalloran]

Does it have to be cross-platform or can it be Mac only?

Are people using an interface? Can you require one?

[CharlzS]

It's tough to find something easy for the uninitiated. If you plan on wrapping it up over a few weeks, DP has a fully functional 30 day demo period.

[joelfriedman]

Hi Mike!

I need to double check, but I think they're all Mac. I know 1 has an interface, but I do not think others do. I'm going to assume no interfaces, and probably not much in the way of VIs etc. I'm going to stress the action of doing this over the results. Normally there would be a studio available, normally they wouldn't be in MN, TX, MD etc.

CharlzS interesting idea. It would only be for a short period of time.

Thanks,

Joel

[mikehalloran]

Well, if Mac only, you can do everything in iMovie and GarageBand. The downside? You're using iMovie and GarageBand. In Apple's quest to make them idiot proof, there are performance restrictions.

How does one get audio and video into the project? Smart phones will do this. Don't expect great quality as the noise-cancelling algorithms that make speech more intelligible can get in the way. Again, if teaching the basics, you already have the tools. You will have to learn how to get iOS and Android audio and video into a Mac.

If, later on, teaching a semester instead of a few weeks, you'll want to specify an interface and more flexible apps. You'll probably want to be cross-platform by then. A MOTU M2 or M4 includes Performer Lite—although limited to 16 tracks, it's the gateway drug to Digital Performer. A good video app is Adobe Premiere Elements ($79.99 educational price bundled with Photoshop Elements).

[joelfriedman]

Does anyone have any experience using Reaper?

[mikehalloran]

Does anyone have any experience using R•••••?

DP, Performer Lite, Apple and Adobe apps all have phone support even though Apple and Adobe do their best to hide that fact.

Why would anyone recommend an app with no phone support to students is beyond me.

Just because an app is cheap… that isn't a good enough reason to recommend.

[joelfriedman]

Why did my post come out as "R•••••" and not Reaper??? OK, it's still doing it. I guess it is the product that shall remain nameless? https://www.reaper.fm

[James Steele]

Why did my post come out as "R•••••" and not R•••••??? OK, it's still doing it. I guess it is the product that shall remain nameless? https://www.R•••••.fm

Because in my opinion, when they got started they were “product dumping” to gain market share. Their copy protection consisted then of a nag screen that only had to be dismissed once per day. I felt this created a downward price pressure that would be detrimental to the overall health of the DAW industry. Agree or disagree... that’s still the policy here. For now, anyway.

[joelfriedman]

Hi James,

No, I get it. I had no idea either why that word was "bleeped out" or the history. It had never happened to me posting here and didn't know what was going on. I'm fine with it and respect your decision. Thanks for chiming in.

Best,

Joel