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Getting digitally creative Digital producer, Leon Gower, shares tips for keeping up your musical creativity with digital technology
Over 2020 most of us have found ourselves, to some extent, using digital tools and platforms to keep our groups playing and performing over this unusual period. While there are lots of great apps and software to help us do this it’s easy to feel like these new technical processes really get in the way of our musical creativity and desires. So rather than seeing these as hurdles you can look at the benefits of embracing digital technology within your group to enhance musical experiences for both players and audiences – plus these techniques can be just as creative as the act of playing. With that in mind, here are some top tips: Experiment The way to get the best results when using new techniques is first just to have a play! Set aside some time to experiment with the tools to find out what exactly they do and how they can best help you and your group. You’ll quickly be learning along the way and will be ready to get creating while using your new skill or tool. 20
HIGHNOTES Autumn 2020
Rather than emulating reality – you’ll be creating something new! Don’t feel pressured to recreate a ‘real life’ performance. Why not celebrate and embrace the production values of a recording made at home and the unusual nature of how musicians are now collaborating online? This can unlock a new level of creativity in your project allowing your group to experiment and create in ways you or they may not have previously considered. Get problem solving It’s rare that a digital tool will have an ‘off -the-shelf’ solution to help you get the results you desire. The digital world is all about problem solving and is surprisingly DIY – so don’t worry when you encounter problems, those experiences are often part of the process! For tips on digital solutions, including recording and editing video and audio, and livestreaming visit: makingmusic.org.uk/resources
REVIEW: HEADLINER An app that turns your audio file into video
If your group has created a lockdown recording, it’s likely that you’ll be eager to share the final piece on social media or perhaps privately online among your group. However in the visual world of online content, many platforms and messaging services don’t make it easy to share audio files and favour video instead. So here’s a handy free online tool that will allow you to quickly and professionally turn your audio recording into an eyecatching video file. Headliner (www.headliner.app) is an online tool and app aimed at podcast creators who wish to easily turn an audio clip into an audiogram. An audiogram is a short video file in which an audio wave is visualised and moves in time to the sounds that you are hearing. To create your own audiogram in Headliner: • Sign up for the free service at xxxwww.headliner.app • Select ‘Audiogram Wizard’ • Upload your audio • Choose the proportions of your xxxvideo (landscape, square or portrait) • Choose the colour and design of xxxyour visual audio wave • If desired, add your own image or xxxtext to display behind the audio xxxwave • Select ‘Create Your Online Project’ – to preview the final Audiogram • Export the video file to your device xxxor computer, or post directly to xxxyour social media account from xxxwithin Headliner The tool is very intuitive; it has lots of handy prompts to help you all the way through the process and is a great way to bring your audio recording to an online audience. Leon Gower
