If students want to make beats like Daft Punk or Nine Inch Nails, the new software selection in the Music Resources section of Middleton Library can make that happen.
Middleton’s Music Resources added two new programs — Ableton Live 9 and Finale — to its in-house computers. These programs allow students to do many things including producing and scoring their own music.
Music Resources Supervisor Mikel Ledee said the program has already attracted many music students but is available for anyone with University credentials. The main reason for purchasing these new programs is to give students access to tools they can use to create music, Ledee said.
Ableton Live 9 and Finale combined can cost more than $1,000. Both of these programs are free to use for University students, Ledee said.
“[We] look and see the needs of the students,” Ledee said.
These programs are user-friendly and are not just for students majoring in music, Ledee said. Ableton allows the user to sit down with a keyboard that connects to the computer and start making music. There are student workers available – some of whom are digital media majors – in Music Resources, but the program makes it easy to learn as you go, Ledee said.
The department has five computers equipped with Ableton and five with Finale, and there are six keyboards ready for students to use. Just plug the keyboard into the computer and the program is ready to go, Ledee said.
After students complete their creations, they can take it with them on a USB drive or burned CD at no cost, Ledee said.
Ledee said Music Resources might look to work with Studio 151 in Coates Hall in the future. The studio is free to use for University students and has the equipment available to record music in professional audio recording sound booths. Ledee said he would be excited to take steps forward to possibly collaborate in music production technology.
“[We] look and see the needs of the students.”