Lesson 1
Step Sequencer 1: Create a Beat - introduction
There is a short quiz at the end of this lesson (50 Points)

In this video, you'll learn the basics of the Step Sequencer. We look at how the dots represent beats, how the beats are divided and how the step sequencer is organized. I'll show you how to add/ remove dots (the dots trigger the sounds), how to change the volume and panning in a channel and how to change the velocity (volume) of each note (or dot) in a step sequencer channel.
I'll show you how to create a second pattern based on your original pattern and how to organize different patterns in the playlist. The beat that I base all of this on is the Billie Jean beat by Michael Jackson.

Take the quiz, and move on to lesson 2. Note- You may want to open this video in a new window. Click here do do so.

Lesson 2

Step Sequencer 2: Create a beat- The Project (50 points)
To the right is my video explaining how to create your first graded project. You'll need to create two contrasting drum loops separated by drum fills. The video example is for your reference- please don't copy what I did exactly. Create your own loops, but keep them simple. If you are having trouble coming up with ideas check out this video of a drummer demonstrating a bunch of different rock beats. You can clearly see the kick, snare, hi-hat and ride cymbal in the video. This one is good for drum fill ideas.
You'll get points for: proper use of kick, snare or clap, and hi-hat (or similar -tambourine/shaker/ride cymbal all do the same thing as the hi-hat) in your patterns as well as fills. Also points for using new sounds from the browser, and creating a descriptive post explaining what you did. Click here for the rubric. Good luck!

Click here to open this video in a new window.
Post your project to SoundCloud with the title: FL Studio Desktop Drum Loop

Lesson 3
Adding a bass line in the piano roll with SimSynth 
There is a short quiz at the end of this lesson (50 points)

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the piano roll to enter pitch and note duration information using the SimSynth generator.
When you are done watching this video, go ahead and create your own bass line using the piano roll and SimSynth. Then, go on to the next project to finish it up using automation clips and a filter.

Click here to open the video in a new window and take the quiz

Lesson 4

Adding automation to the bass line using a filter
completed project (100 Points)

In this project, you'll add some automation to a filter on the bass line that you created in the previous lesson. You'll also make your song fade out by creating an automation clip on the master volume control.
Once your bass and automation clips are complete, upload your project to your SoundCloud account with the title: FL Studio Desktop Bass with Automation

Lesson 5
Add chords with the piano roll (part 1 of 2)
There is a short quiz at the end of this lesson (50 Points)
If your single note bass line is lonely, you can add chords to it using the piano roll. It has a lot more features in it than the mobile version. This video covers copying and pasting material in the playlist, and using the piano roll to create chords using the chord tool and using the arpeggiator tool.

Open this video in a new window and take the quiz

Lesson 6
Transpose, and add FX (part 2 of 2)
There is a short quiz at the end of this video (50 points)
completed project (100 points)


Transposing
In the music world, when one line of music is presented in a different key, the line is said to be transposed. In this video, we take the static bass note C and move it down to Bb (A#) to create a bit of motion. It's a fairly simple process, and once you get the hang of it you'll probably be using it all the time.
FX
In the audio world, processing such as digital delay, reverb, chorus, etc. are known as effects- kind of like the special effects we love to see in movies. This is often abbreviated as the letters FX, and pronounced the way the word would be pronounced (ef-Ex).

When you are done, post your project to your SoundCloud account with the name Transposed Loop With FX  

You'll probably want to watch this video in a new window to take the quiz.

Lesson 7
Using the FPC

A cool way to add drums to your project using the piano roll or the preset drum patterns. no points here, just a cool way to add drums to your project.

Click here to open in a new window

Lesson 8
Waveforms (using Sytrus)
There is a quiz at the end of this video (100 Points)

To make your own synths, you need to have a good understanding of wave forms. Wave forms are common in all synths, but since I can't show you all synths at once, I selected Sytrus to demo this concept. As you go through this video, realize that the concepts here will carry over to any synth as they are all based on manipulating waveforms.

Click here to watch the video in a new window and take the quiz.


More information on waves:
Sound Synthesis
Innovative Synthesis
Sine Function

Lesson 9
FX In Sytrus 
There is a quiz at the end of this video (150 Points)

"FX" is the music industry abbreviation for "effects" and can refer to anything from simple modulating effects like reverb to harmonizers and tone changing overdrive effects. Simple waveforms don't usually sound full and finished until they have had some FX treatment.. In this video we look at the FX that are integrated into the Sytrus generator. Keep in mind that the principles that govern chorus, delay and reverb (the FX we look at in the video) are universal and apply to other instances of chorus delay and reverb that you will find in any audio software or studio gear. Even guitar FX pedals work on these concepts.
This is one of my longer videos, and there is a long (11 question) quiz at the end. Because if the length and the amount of content contained here, this quiz is worth 150 points.

Click here to open the video in a new window

Lesson 10
Filters in Sytrus 
There is a quiz at the end of this video (100 points)
An essential part of synthesis is running the wave form (or waveforms) through a filter to further enhance the sound. Although I use Sytrus to illustrate how filters work here, the theory and principles explained in this video apply to all filters in any synth.

Click here to watch the video in a new window and take the quiz

Lesson 11
Envelopes in Sytrus (Part 1) quiz- 100 points

What's that funny-looking curvy red line in the operator display of Sytrus? We explore the envelope editor and ADSR in the first envelope lesson.

Click here to watch in a new window and take the quiz

Lesson 12
Envelopes in Sytrus (Part 2) quiz- 100 points

In part 2 we design a volume envelope and a pitch envelope. The principles outlined here can be applied to any envelope including controlling the cutoff frequency of a filter, or even panning.

Click here to open the video in a new window and take the quiz.

Lesson 13
Sytrus 3 synths project (Project-300 points)

You read that right.-this project is worth 300 points. That's because you need to design 3 synths from scratch, and compose a bass line and chord progression with a melody to complete this project. 

If you're doing reading this, I'll assume that you have completed videos 8,9,10,11 and 12 and are comfortable with setting waveforms, effects, filters and envelopes in Sytrus. I'll also assume you have a good working knowledge of scale degrees as they pertain to chords so you can write a bass line and a chord progression. 

After you design your synths, write something that highlights the character of the synth you created. For example, if you create an spacey-sounding, gentle and relaxing pad, don't write an uptempo thrash piece for it..

Use my video example here as a guide, but don't feel that you have to copy me. I want to hear what you can do! Upload your project to SoundCloud with the name "Sytrus 3 synths".

Click here to open this video in a new window.

Lesson 14
Using The Mixer to plug in an iPad (part1)
Any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) will allow the user to input an auxiliary audio device like a guitar, microphone or even an iPad. In our lab we use the TASCAM US-200 for input. This video shows you how to configure FL Studio and the mixer so you can record audio directly into the playlist.
There is also a software mixer in FL Studio. It allows you to add effects to any instrument in the step sequencer as well as any device being recorded.
In this video, I show you how to set up your desktop FL Studio DAW to record a chord progression using SoundPrism.

Lesson 15
Using The Mixer to Plug in an iPad (part2)
Now that your mixer is set up, you'll input a I IV V progression into FLStudio Desktop using SoundPrism on your iPad, and you'll input the bass line using the piano roll.

The new educanon video.