Exploring sound with Garageband: Machine processes

These Year 7 and 8 boys have been learning about physical science and simple machines. They used Garageband on Mac to compose a 1 minute soundtrack for an imagined mechanical process. It needed a start and be gearing up, a middle section, and a shutting down. They had to include an ostinato track (continuing throughout). Sounds were added from Garageband's loops library, but students also had to create one track using Garageband's Musical Typing keyboard, and to create and record at least one foley sound of their own. They also had to edit sounds in some way - eg:

• Pitch
• Effects - eg echoes, distortions
• Length of notes
• Speed
• Volume

This is their first effort and they've made some very interesting soundtracks. They had fun exploring all the different possibilities for creating sound and putting it all together. The idea of becoming a sound engineer, or even a foley artist, appeals to them!