Description : A Christmas themed song made with the a competition in mind, I cannot name the young person who's ideas these are for legal reasons, but I will mention he is only 14 and blind. I took all the direction from him and together developed this, please give good constructive feedback, many thanx.
Didn't know that software was built into Windows though that's probably because I have no need. Sounds like someone needs to make a modified version (maybe a plugin) that works with specific DAWs or maybe all of them. I imagine that having controls read out would probably really hinder workflow and creativity and be a bit annoying. But I guess you've got to do it if you're blind.
One other idea is a decent, cheapish control surface configured specifically for your young friend. You could have the controls set up in the same way each time so that nothing needs to be read out. He just learns where they are and gets on with it. Some of these control surfaces advertise themselves as removing the need for using the mouse or keyboard with your DAW though I don't know how true that is. I've seen one keyboard, which is also a control surface, specifically designed for use with Reason.
Good luck with it though I'm sure this sort of info is well known to the blind community so help should be at hand.
Interesting to hear. I wasn't quite sure what you meant by 'narrator'. Is that a bit of software? Perhaps something that reads out what a control is for blind/partially sighted people? I don't really know much about software for blind people but I'm sure there must be quite a bit of info online. Also, there must be people you can get in touch with who would help. Probably even some sort of charity or online mentoring scheme, especially for young people.
I don't know if you've heard ot the rather excellent Sonicstate music tech weekly podcast. It's so much more than just reviews of gear and should be fascinating and great fun for anyone into music tech, or just music in general. They've done about 250 shows now, each on average about 50 mins long. They have a good and varied and varying panel of experts and musicians and producers and one of them is why I am telling you about the podcast in the first place.
American composer P.J. Tracy is a fairly regular guest and is partially sighted. Not blind but I think he may use some sort of modified software though I know he does also use most of the main DAWs. Anyway, look him and the podcast up as that might give you some ideas. He sounds like a nice guy so would probably even answer emails asking for help/tips for a young blind composer.
Narrator is software built into windows which allows partially sighted / blind people to know what the mouse is hovering over or what has been selected (ie start button, confirm/cancel ect..) it also helps with text saying the letters/words out for you (like Stephen hawking's computer voice), it works fine for windows and office for instance but when in a daw its not that good. ps it's located in start/programs/accessories/ease of access (win 7) or Windows/accessories/accesabilty (win xp).
Hi. I read your comment on the dubstep forum thread so thought I'd check this out.
As I have commented fairly extensively in that thread, there's so much I don't like about dubstep. But I'm very impressed with this so you can give your young friend a big thumbs up from me. Though, being blind, maybe just tell him I approve.
Very impressive for three hours' work and it has a pretty clean sound and it's not just about how to be extreme and smash the speakers.
Maybe it feels a little long but it's got a good, futuristic, sci-fi feel that would work really well as soundtrack music for various energetic activities and scenes.
I'd be very interested to know how a blind person gets on with software and/or hardware. Is he controlling the effects, doing the drum programming or just playing the keyboard with you doing the others things?
Hey thanx for the great comments,
How we worked this track was through a usb keyboard and fruity, it's all made with sytrus with a couple of tweeks to standard presets, I controled the computer and daw, and when we got to a sound he liked or wanted to work with I pressed record and he played the keyboard inc mapping the effects using control nobs, then we go through clean up and spend a little time on sound eq compression ect, I usually just use mixcraft with him using loops and samples, but thought we'd try something different and create something from scratch. We do have problems sometimes finding the right sound or communicating, also narrator isn't that helpful, so he carnt really change things himself easily (shortcut keys help, ie CTRL-L in fruity mixer links the sample/channel, things like that).
Ive been thinking for a while how to improve our sessions so any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Pretty cool song for such a short session! The mixing style is pretty gentle which is nice. Even if I wasn't already stoned, I think this song would get me there! Very good work you two!
Thanx for the feedback dude, I carnt tell the YP about ya been stoned lol but thanx anyways. I usually use mixcraft with him (to make things easier), but thought id try fruity with him and create something, this is his first composition so there's alot more to come, but think I'll make him a page for himself.
peace x
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One other idea is a decent, cheapish control surface configured specifically for your young friend. You could have the controls set up in the same way each time so that nothing needs to be read out. He just learns where they are and gets on with it. Some of these control surfaces advertise themselves as removing the need for using the mouse or keyboard with your DAW though I don't know how true that is. I've seen one keyboard, which is also a control surface, specifically designed for use with Reason.
Good luck with it though I'm sure this sort of info is well known to the blind community so help should be at hand.
I don't know if you've heard ot the rather excellent Sonicstate music tech weekly podcast. It's so much more than just reviews of gear and should be fascinating and great fun for anyone into music tech, or just music in general. They've done about 250 shows now, each on average about 50 mins long. They have a good and varied and varying panel of experts and musicians and producers and one of them is why I am telling you about the podcast in the first place.
American composer P.J. Tracy is a fairly regular guest and is partially sighted. Not blind but I think he may use some sort of modified software though I know he does also use most of the main DAWs. Anyway, look him and the podcast up as that might give you some ideas. He sounds like a nice guy so would probably even answer emails asking for help/tips for a young blind composer.
Again, good work and good luck with doing more.
Narrator is software built into windows which allows partially sighted / blind people to know what the mouse is hovering over or what has been selected (ie start button, confirm/cancel ect..) it also helps with text saying the letters/words out for you (like Stephen hawking's computer voice), it works fine for windows and office for instance but when in a daw its not that good. ps it's located in start/programs/accessories/ease of access (win 7) or Windows/accessories/accesabilty (win xp).
All the best Nightfall
As I have commented fairly extensively in that thread, there's so much I don't like about dubstep. But I'm very impressed with this so you can give your young friend a big thumbs up from me. Though, being blind, maybe just tell him I approve.
Very impressive for three hours' work and it has a pretty clean sound and it's not just about how to be extreme and smash the speakers.
Maybe it feels a little long but it's got a good, futuristic, sci-fi feel that would work really well as soundtrack music for various energetic activities and scenes.
I'd be very interested to know how a blind person gets on with software and/or hardware. Is he controlling the effects, doing the drum programming or just playing the keyboard with you doing the others things?
Again, it's wonderful for a 14-year-old.
How we worked this track was through a usb keyboard and fruity, it's all made with sytrus with a couple of tweeks to standard presets, I controled the computer and daw, and when we got to a sound he liked or wanted to work with I pressed record and he played the keyboard inc mapping the effects using control nobs, then we go through clean up and spend a little time on sound eq compression ect, I usually just use mixcraft with him using loops and samples, but thought we'd try something different and create something from scratch. We do have problems sometimes finding the right sound or communicating, also narrator isn't that helpful, so he carnt really change things himself easily (shortcut keys help, ie CTRL-L in fruity mixer links the sample/channel, things like that).
Ive been thinking for a while how to improve our sessions so any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Nightfall
Wanna give my Songs a try ?
Many thanks
Nightfall
peace x