Video 1
Extra Credit Homework Assignment
Estimated time: 2 hours
Objective:
Use free loop-based software at home to remix a song.
NOTE: Most of the websites on this page will be blocked at school, so you will need to read them at home.
Instructions:
Go to the contest page of AcidPlanet.com. You will need to create an account (this is a website owned by Sony). Under the Current Events listing you will find bands offering the original tracks along some free Sony loops for you to use to remix the song. There is usually more than one contest offered at a time. Listen to the original mix of each one. Download the one you like. (These are large files, so allow some time for them to download.)
If you have Mac at home, open GarageBand, which is included for free on all Macs. Drag the .wav loops from a Finder Window and into the GarageBand timeline. Arrange the loops in a manner that sounds good and is different from the original song.
When you are done with the re-mix in GarageBand, go to File > Export to iTunes. When the mixdown is complete and your iTunes application opens, go to the pulldown menu at the top Advanced > Create MP3 Version. Submit this .mp3 file to the proper assignment link on School Loop.
If you have a Windows operating system, you will need to download the free loop application Sony Acid Xpress. This is a “lite” version that is limited to 10 tracks. To learn more about Sony Acid, you may read this Wikipedia article.
Watch this short tutorial on how to use Acid Xpress. (This video will be blocked at school, but you can watch it at home.)
Arrange the loops in a manner that sounds good and is different from the original song.
Export as an .mp3 file and submit the file to the proper assignment link on School Loop.
Get Free Loops
If you find you enjoy making your own music, you can download free loops (called 8packs) from AcidPlanet.com. They release new 8packs every Friday. This is a great way to build a free collection of loops you can legally use for any music or video project.