Teaching the Basics of Sampling

[kwaidan]

I teach a couple of college English courses at a local high school, and one of the major writing projects involves sampling and copyright law. Typically, I show the students how to compose a simple track using Ableton. Unfortunately, the classroom technology is so outdated, I cannot access the projector via LAN or HDMI. I cannot even make an audio connection.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a simple DAW that I could access online without download a program or app.

Actually, it just occurred to me that I could probably download a program onto a USB stick; however, I am not familiar some of the freeware floating around. Plus, I would probably have to run the program from the stick.

I am going to try and run an Internet search, but any suggestions would help.

Thanks!

[aolney]

Browser-based DAWs exist, but I don't have personal experience with them. Here are some options:

https://filmora.wondershare.com/audio/t ... nline.html

Here's an open source project that presents a minimal DAW:

https://gridsound.com/daw/

HTH

[forestcaver]

Reaper can have a portable install eg on a usb stick

(You could also use a portable linux install on a usb stick and run many different ones eg Ardour, Bitwig, etc)

[kwaidan]

Hey, thanks for the replies everyone! I think Audacity is installed on the classroom desktop. If not, I’ll have the students download a freeware version of Reaper, MPC, or Cubase. They have other topics ot write about, so a demonstration isn’t essential. However, I do enjoy giving a little presentation, and some of the students really are interested in sampling.

This is the first time I have ever taught at this location, and I was surprised to find that its system is so outdated.

Edit: I’ll add that I just checked some of the web based sites, and there are all sorts of registration procedures involved.

[aolney]

FWIW this doesn't have registration; you can go straight to using it once you check the box:

https://gridsound.com/daw/

No idea if that meets your needs though...

[Soy Sos]

Maybe this doesn't exactly fit, but check out Koala Sampler.
Simple, affordable, expansive and runs on a lot of platforms.
Also gives some of the vibes of some classic sampling hardware
with the advantages of a modern touch interface.

[aolney]

Koala looks amazing for this as long as students have smartphones!

[kwaidan]

Thanks for the recommendations. Both apps look good. The school is located in an affluent suburb, so all the students have smartphones. As it turns out, some of them even have GarageBand, but very few of them seem to be that interested in sampling or music in general.

Until recently, I have taught at the downtown campus, and students there are far more interested in music. In fact, I have caught some of them fooling around with a DAW while lecturing. It freaks them out when I identify the program used.

Once a student caught me watching a Buchla video before class began. He saw no benefit in hardware when cracked software could be had for nothing!

[aolney]

One idea to get them interested in sampling is to ask about some of their favorite songs and use WhoSampled to reveal where the samples come from: https://www.whosampled.com/

Or perhaps more efficient would be to identify a song they would know in advance that you know is on WhoSampled

[kwaidan]

One idea to get them interested in sampling is to ask about some of their favorite songs and use WhoSampled to reveal where the samples come from: https://www.whosampled.com/

Or perhaps more efficient would be to identify a song they would know in advance that you know is on WhoSampled

That’s a great idea. Thanks! Because I teach for and at a community college, I get students from all age groups, so it’s sometimes difficult to determine who listens to what.

[Ryan_Timm]

I teach a couple of college English courses at a local high school, and one of the major writing projects involves sampling and copyright law. Typically, I show the students how to compose a simple track using Ableton. Unfortunately, the classroom technology is so outdated, I cannot access the projector via LAN or HDMI. I cannot even make an audio connection.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a simple DAW that I could access online without download a program or app.

Actually, it just occurred to me that I could probably download a program onto a USB stick; however, I am not familiar some of the freeware floating around. Plus, I would probably have to run the program from the stick.

I am going to try and run an Internet search, but any suggestions would help.

Thanks!

Thank you for topic! It's great to see your enthusiasm for teaching and finding creative solutions for your classroom challenges. When it comes to accessing a simple online Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) without the need for downloads or installations, there are a few options available.

One popular choice is the online DAW called BandLab. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of tools for music composition, recording, and editing. It's accessible directly through your web browser, allowing you and your students to collaborate on music projects effortlessly.

Another option worth exploring is Soundtrap, an online DAW developed for educational purposes. It provides a range of features and instruments, making it an ideal platform for teaching music production and copyright law.

As for plagiarism checking, I recommend utilizing services like FixGerald (link: https://fixgerald.com/). It's a reliable plagiarism checker that helps ensure originality and maintain academic integrity in writing projects. By using such tools, you can guide your students in understanding the importance of proper citation and avoiding plagiarism.

Remember to review the terms and conditions of any online services you choose to utilize, and encourage your students to do the same. Best of luck with your music composition project, and I hope these suggestions enhance your classroom experience!

[wuff_miggler]

That’s a great idea. Thanks! Because I teach for and at a community college, I get students from all age groups, so it’s sometimes difficult to determine who listens to what.

i stopped "assuming" kids listened to X and old people listen to Y...i get it wrong on a consistent basis. Also - i am getting older...and my taste in music is still as outlandish as it was in 2002...

i chat with a mate in Detroit, i think they're 27...massive electronic music head when we first started chatting...turns out they have a ginormous avant garde classical CD collection. Never assume