Making Computer Music

You have been selected to prepare background music for a new movie called "The Garrulous Router & the Singing Server." "Garrulous" means talkative. This router is one that constantly chatters enthusiastically as it directs packets safely on their way, and the Server loves a song with a good beat.

Use your computer to create the "music" for the movie. Here's how:

1. Think about what sounds or melodies you'd like to use for this project.
2. Check your computer to see what "sound" options it has. Does it include a sound-editing program? Does it have a built-in microphone? Will you need a microphone to attach to your computer? Does it have built-in speakers? Will you need to add speakers so that you can hear the sound? Check your computer to see how it's set up for sound input and output, for you might need to change the settings to work with your microphone, speakers, and sound program. You will usually find this information in a Sound section of a Control Panel or System Folder, but don't change any sound options on a school or family computer without permission. (Ask your teacher or your parents for help if you don't know how to check on or reset the "Sound" options on your computer.)
3. Once your computer is ready, you'll need to decide what types of sound you want to include. The sounds might be spoken voices, recorded or live music, or sound effects.
4. If your computer doesn't have a sound-editing program, you might want to consider Audacity It's free and it works with both Mac and PC computers. (IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are using a school or library computer, do not download anything to the computer unless you have permission. Many school computers already have sound editing programs you can use, so you probably won't need to download anything.)
5. Follow the directions for the sound-editing program you are using.
6. When you are satisfied with your music, save it.
7. Although you can play your music in the sound-editing program, you may want to add it to a web page, a word processing document, or a presentation so that you can share it with others.
8. Think legal! If you are using music that is copyright, you can only use 10% of a song or no more than 30 seconds of a song in a school project. If you want to use more, you have to contact the company that made the CD for permission. That's the law.
9. Before using any songs in your project, make sure the lyrics (words), if there are any, will be acceptable to your teacher and parents
10. Have a great time creating!

If you want directions for how to use Audacity and how to compress to MP3 files, go to Power to Learn.

The article is meant for teachers, but you'll find it useful, too.

Here are some other links that may help you:

• Putting Sound on a Web Page A school site that shows you how to add sound to web pages.
  
• Home Recording About.com provides several links to information on what's built into your computer, USB and sound, and sound compression.
  

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