The Synthesis Midi Workshop - a resource for music educators and theological institutions

By Mike Klinger
(updated 5/30/08

Just finished my Recommendations in Music Technology for Educators & Students catalog. It is available for download here for FREE!

Notation Software

Order a Sibelius 5 or Groovy Music Site License for your school or district and receive one of the following Site Licenses (of equal or lesser value) at no additional charge! Offer ends June 30 2008. Click here for more info.

Sibelius has just introduced the all-new Sibelius 5 Student Version at $82. Sibelius 5 Student Version is designed for secondary/high school students to use at home, rather than for classroom use or for teachers. It has everything most students' need for homework. Main features include:

Up to 12 staves
Compose for video
Ideas Hub (read-only version)
250 built-in musical ideas
Panorama view
New, clearer mixer
Exchange files with Sibelius 5
Email your score to your teacher
Change clefs mid-stave
Create tuplets: from duplets to nontuplets
Vista and Mac Leopard compatible
Universal Binary on Mac

Keyboards

M-Audio has recently introduced the KeyStudio 49i at $249 (minimum advertised pricing). I was so impressed with this keyboard that I replaced my entire 12 station lab with it as it functions as an input device for any midi program like Sibelius or Finale, an audio interface with both 1/4" and XLR connectors for Pro Tools, and a wonderful stand alone premium piano sound for teaching classroom piano or just jamming. The included Ableton Live Lite software seals the deal by providing an incredibly easy-to-use music production solution. Main features include:

49-note USB keyboard controller with integral audio interface
built-in, stereo-sampled Steinway grand sound
line and microphone inputs for recording vocals and instruments
Includes M-Audio General MIDI software sound module of 128 sounds
Includes Ableton Live Lite music software

Yamaha introduced a new KX series of USB controllers. Including Steinberg's Cubase AI audio/MIDI music production software, an expanded HALion One VST instrument, and built-in arpeggios, the KX is a complete MIDI music production studio with advanced integration features. Main features include:

25, 49, 61, or 88-key keyboard with optimized touch and velocity response.
Four assignable knobs for real-time parameter control.
Control templates for 30 of the most popular software synthesizers.
Integrated DAW transport and track control.
Integrated VSTi instrument window and program selection control.
Built-in arpeggiator with 342 phrase types for fast, efficient production.
Bundled with Steinberg's advanced CUBASE AI recording and production software.
KX Editor application allows detailed parameter assignment and editing.
Single-cable USB computer connection with USB bus power
MIDI connectors also provided
KX25-$299, KX49 $349, KX61$399, KX8 (KX8 is due out in May 2008) $699 (minimum advertised pricing)

Yamaha also just introduced their new YPG 235/535/635 series keyboards. Very affordable 76 and 88 note keyboards and the new sounds are incredible as well as the new features.

Digital Audio

Without a doubt one of the major talked about items at NAMM was the new Yamaha Pocketrak 2G pocket size digital recorder at $349 (minimum advertised price) and currently shipping. This is the smallest digital recorder on the planet and features two tracks of CD quality recording in PCM, MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) formats. The Pocketrak 2G includes a rechargeable AAA nickel-hydrogen battery capable of providing 19 hours of MP3 recording to its 2GB of internal memory. Plugging its sliding USB connector into a powered USB bus simultaneously recharges the battery and transfers files to a PC or Mac. Included in the box is the Pocketrak 2G, a USB extension cable, stereo earphones, a leather carrying case and stand adapter, as well as Cubase AI, an "Advanced Integration" version of Steinberg's legendary digital audio workstation software.

Roland introduced the new CD-2e recorder ($595). Smaller in size, simpler to use - the new CD-2e takes the best from the past and enhances it for the next generation. From rehearsals to recitals, lectures to live-music events, the CD-2e is the fastest way to capture the moment and render it to CD or SD memory card for storage or distribution. Main features include:

Simple recording direct to CD-R/RW or SD memory card
All-in-one portable design; thin, sturdy, and stylish
Built-in stereo microphone and speakers
Extra-long recording times, over 12 hours with 8GB SDHC card
High-quality sound via built-in stereo mic
Easy-to-use interface with [EASY GUIDE] button
Wireless remote controller
Adjust tempo/key change, tuner, and metronome
Battery or AC power (6 AA batteries; AC adaptor included)

Tascam jumped into the handheld recorder market with the new Tascam DR-1 recorder ($299). There are 3 others in this price range but I am very impressed with this product as it is very easy to use, comes with a 1 GB SD card, USB 2.0, records both WAV and Mp3, records at 24bit/48 or 44.1 resolutions, and has a built in tuner and vocal cancellation feature.

Roland will be introducing a new vamped up version of its R-09 digital recorder mid June and it will be called the R-09HR (high resolution) $399. Some of the new features include: 24bit/96khz resolution, USB 2.0 and up to 32GB recording with SD or SDHC card,

Looking for Pro Tools Bundles? M-Audio has come up with some wonderful low cost Pro Tools M-Powered 7 bundles that include Pro Tools 7.4 and various keyboard, audio interfaces for all budgets. Speaking of Pro Tools...I just received word that 7.4.2 will soon be downloadable for Leopard 10.5.3 users in the next few days. Yeah!

Technology Curriculum

Steinberg is announcing a new product for music education. Integrating up-to-the-minute software technology into a comprehensive music-teaching package, the Classroom Resource Pack at $399 (minimum advertised pricing) provides all necessary elements for teachers to deliver a wide range of innovative, modern music lessons. Catering primarily for the age groups 11-18, the CRP supplies all required materials, templates, worksheets and much more - all in an easily navigable and highly usable package. The included 100 hours of fully prepared material has been meticulously prepared by teachers for teachers to cover aspects of music composition and performance as well as recording, production and technology. It contains all needed media files such as audio, MIDI, loops, videos - all integrated directly into the specially designed lesson plans. The custom-made interface guides you through each and every step, and provides fast and easy access to all the included materials, files, worksheets and Cubase projects. Classroom Resource Pack is designed to work with either Cubase Studio or Cubase 4.
Steinberg also introduced Cubase Essential 4 software at $75 educational (minimum advertised pricing) as an entry-level ticket to the world of Cubase. This will replace the current SE line.

MakeMusic, Inc. (makers of Finale) has formed a partnership with other industry leaders Garritan, Steinberg and Yamaha that will provide integrated solutions to the music education market in the United States. Announced at Winter NAMM 2008, the Music Education Software and Hardware (MESH) initiative brings together hardware, software, sound content and curriculum to provide compelling and complete turn-key solutions for today's music educators, who are often faced with an array of products that can be difficult to navigate and integrate. In addition to aggregating four major components of music education technology into a seamless bundle, the alliance will also provide training to teachers based in the United States, enabling them to fully utilize the power of computer music technology solutions.

Other news…

The Mike Klinger Music Technology Retreat. It has long been a dream of mine to build a music technology retreat out in the middle of the woods in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, for music educators/music ministers to come and study hi-technology. The retreat is located just 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, in the backwoods of the town of Carson, Washington ( 6 miles east of Stevenson, WA). The retreat is 3800 sq. ft. log facility, within a 1hr drive from Portland Oregon, 3-5 acres of woodland, wildflower meadow, and beautiful creek included.
The facility hosts a 12 station computer lab loaded with all available music software's. Each computer station is equipped with "state of the art" midi and digital audio equipment.

Workshops are available are available all year long in either group style classes or individual private one on one study. Information on these can be found at Music Technology Workshops. Simply fly into Portland, Oregon. Rent your car and make the beautiful 1 hour drive up to the facility. School district's can book the lab at any time of year to hold their in-services here or contact Mike Klinger to come to them for an In-District Workshop.