Figuring Out The Website

Square Space - The templates are beautiful, but they cost money.
Wiki Sites - Is really plain but is free. 
Word Press - There are a lot of different templates to choose from but you have to download the templates you want them.
Wix - There are really nice templates here that are easy to use.
Google Sites - Is very basic and user friendly. The templates are bland and there are not a lot of options.
Weebly - I like weebly I just think it is more blog oriented.

- The ones I liked the best are Square space and Word Press but unfortunately those two cost money and since I do not know how long I will need the website I am not going to pay. But the next best website is Wix which has tones of templates, one that caught my eye was the fashion template which I will use for a domain for a fashion magazine. I have started working with this domain and it is really great, all I have to do is double click on something to edit it. My site address is as follows...
http://megross97.wix.com/the-encour

Right now you are not going to be able to see my website because it is not published yet, and I do not want to publish it until it is finished. But below is a paragraph I have taken from my website to let you know what it is about. Right now I am not definat on my name The Encore but for now that is what I am sticking with. Encore is defined as a repeated or additional performance of an item at the end of a concert, as called for by an audience. Personally, I think that is what fashion is like, trends go in and out but they usually always get called back for an encore sometime or another. Also, I like the associations the word has to music too. I have linked facebook to my Wix as well, but have not been able to link Blogger.

The Encore Envision 

 Tired of looking at magazines where everything is a bizzion dollars? Look no more this magazine will show you fashionable items and trends at a price that does not want to make you scream.

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This magazine is geared toward tweens and teens to show them you do not have to be decked out in designers to be fashionable. This magazine will feature various brands suitable for teenagers. The brands featured will not all be the run of the mill designers such as American Eagle and Hollister this magazine will promote various upcoming designers and or brands.
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Although, fashion is oh so important it is not the only aspect on a teenage mind so are celebrities, movies, and music. All of these categories will also be featured in the magazine too.

Popplet Plan

My essential question is how long will each step to my Popplet plan take? This time around for my project plan I will not be setting a time limit on each, because last time I could not follow the times. Also, another question I have is how long will it take to make a good music video. Check out my plan at ------My Popplet Plan

Semester 3

Three Twitter accounts I am following are The New York Times, Vogue Magazine, and Billboard Magazine. The biggest problem I have with Twitter is that you can se a whole bunch of random comments, whereas I like to see articles.

In Feddly I have added similar feed such as MTV News, New York Times Fashion and Style, and Rolling Stone. I really liked Feedly but I don't like that you can't post, like you can on Twitter. But I LOVE the fact that you can see articles.

On Delicious I added articles that I found interesting. 

• http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/fashion/Shopping-Fashion-Super-Bowl-New-York-City.html?rref=fashion&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Fashion%20%26%20Style&pgtype=article - This is all about how to dress for the superbowl, I thought this was so funny because who would have thought there is clothing especially designed for the Superbowl.
• http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/fashion/and-the-grammy-goers-go-to-parties.html?rref=fashion&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Fashion%20%26%20Style&pgtype=article - This was interesting because the Grammy's is just the begging of the night for most the artists.
• http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rutgers-university-offers-beyonce-class-20140129 - This is soo cool that they offered her a job, this alone could increase their application rates, which would be great for the college. 

Reflection

Originally I said I would have six songs recorded and up onto YouTube. In reality I decided not to use YouTube because it was alot of extra work that I did not realize. For instance, I would first have to record all of the instruments and then rerecord using YouTube. Instead I decided to upload all the songs I did onto Soundcloud, this way I only would have to record once using Logic Pro X. This gave me more time to experiment with Logic. 
Another thing I learned about my project was my original timeline was WAY off. At the beginning of my project I predicted I would do six songs! When in reality I only did two. But granted I had to work quite a bit on the KickStarter Project, which took away time from the project. Also, when I created my timeline I created it so I had no extra time which was not very smart because if I needed more time I would run into the next project. Therefore, I think in order to have enough time it is better to give more time than less. If i were to do this project again I would give 3 weeks per song just because it really is a lot of work.
Not only was my timeline too constricting I also ran into quite a few other unforeseen problems. For instance, when I did a cover of A Life That's Good I had to take multiple recordings of the guitar because in order for me to sing it needed to be realitilvly similar to the original version. For instance, the first time Aric recorded the guitar part it was not matched up with the metronome and was not in the right key. Therefore, when I went to sing it was too low and I could not use the metronome because it would not match up. Then when we recorded the second time he still didn't use the metronome but, he was in the right key so I was able to sing it. If it was lined up with the metronome the song would have been better,just because it all would have matched up and been clean cut.
Furthermore, another problem I had was with my original song, Darkness which for whatever reason I could not sing in the right key. Therefore, Mr. Gallagher had to add a melody part to help me stay on key which took me a while to get used to. This was very frustrating because it was my song I could not remember. Honestly if I still had a recording from last year I would have taken that voice recording and droped it into Logic because it would have been better.
I actually tried to do a third song but I could not finish it for the project. I thought I would be able to but, I ran into another unforeseen problem. The song I was working on was Follow Your Arrow and I asked our chorus teacher to play the piano for me and she did. But I believe using the metronome messed her up because she is not used to playing with one and it is hard to get used to. Therefore, sometimes the music was matched with the metronome and other times it wasn't. Another aspect of the song I did not realize was that it did not have a melody, therefore I really had to know the song. But when I went to record it there were errors that prevented me from being able to sing it all the way through. Therefore, I would have needed another recording and I did not have time to get one and record my voice. 
The biggest problem I faced was having to rely on other people to play all the instruments I did not know. I am greatly appreciative to all those who helped me out but it is difficult to be reliant on someone else, because that means you have to find time to meet, and give them a while to learn the song, and originally I did not anticipate that into my timeline.
Although I had a lot of problems with my project plan, I did learn a lot. For instance, I learned how to navigate Logic Pro X which took me a while. But I now know how to create various tracks and hookup the mo2 and microphones to Logic. Also, I learned how to quantize which became very helpful, I worked a little with layering, and learned how to edit the work I did. There are amazing tools Logic allows users to use which makes recording a lot easier. My favorite tool on Logic was being able to loop and cut out parts I did not need, these tools were VERY helpful and I could not have recorded without them. A really big thing I learned,as I said before is giving yourself enough time to record, because it really is quality over quantity, which took me a while to realize. At first when I did this project I wanted to do a whole bunch of songs but ending the project, I wish I could have finished one more song, other than that though I feel good about this project.
Overall, I think this class was more productive than last years songwriting class, but one of the drawbacks was the class size. Last year we got a lot more individual attention and since we have more classmates we got less (which is to be expected). Also, only having one room to record in was difficult because you had to sign it out in advance and it was usually taken, therefore a lot of us had to come in at other times. We probably could use a few more computers just so everyone can use one, but other than that this semester went pretty well. It was interesting seeing all the different projects that people made.
Lastly, you can check out my recordings below! 

Updated Timeline/Project Plan

Project Title: Mackenzie Gross

Teacher: Mr. Gallagher

Grade: 11th

Subject: Music Technology

Summarize the theme for this project. Why do this project?

The original theme for this project is to get my voice out there, on the web. I originally said I would post videos on YouTube but instead I used soundcloud.

Identify the content standard that students will learn in this project.

I originally said I would use YouTube and Logic Pro , but I ended up only using Logic Pro because due to lack of time it was too difficult to upload the videos. Also, I figured out the quality of recording straight into YouTube is not as good as Logic, because with Logic you can touch up the sound quality and in YouTube you cannot.

Identify key skills students will learn in this project. List only those skills you plan to asses.

I thought I would learn and tamper around with other instruments. But instead I ended up just having other people play for me because quite frankly it was easier. Also, I did not have the time to learn an instrument and learn how to compose on it, I am pretty sure that would take years.

Identify the habbits used

-Logic Pro X

-Soundcloud

-iMac Navigation

State the essential question or problem statement for the project.

The original statement: The goal of this project is to make an account on Youtube and do covers and original songs on one account so I can always have them. I also like the concept of having music out there anyone can click on.

Revised Statement: My goal is to have my music accessible for download via soundcloud. I originally thought I would use Youtube to broadcast I figured out it was a lot of work that I did not have time to do. Hopefully, there will come a time where I do broadcast on Youtube because it really is a great tool.

	Originally Thought	What I Actually Did
Early in the project	Create Youtube Account Figure out songs	I did create a YouTube account and I created a soundcloud account. I came up with some songs I would like to do in the beginning. But later on in the project I changed them.
During Project	Record using iMacs and Logic	I recorded using both the iMacs and Logic.
End of Project	have four full videos on Youtube	I have recordings but did not put them on Youtube instead I am putting them on sound cloud
Product #1	Record: A Life That’s Good Criteria: Record vocals and get Aric to play guitar	I did this!
Product #2	Record: Bones Criteria: Record vocals and figure out who can play the instruments.	I am recording a different song known as Follow Your Arrow.
Product #3	Record: Flicker Criteria: Re-record vocals and have Mr. Gallagher play the piano.	I did this!
Product #4	Record: New Material Criteria: Record vocals get Mr. Gallagher to play the piano, Peter to play the bass, and Kate to play the drums.Then record all onto Logic Pro X.	I am doing another song but it is not original it is a cover.
	Knowledge and Skills Needed: Vocals - Learn Material Logic Pro X - Learn to manuver YouTube - Make account and record music Piano - Learn more than I did before.	I learned the vocals, and I learned to maneuver Logic Pro X better. I did not use YouTube but I know how to upload videos. Honestly I did not learn anything about piano.

Timeline

Original Timeline	Actual Timeline
Tuesday 5th - Have A Life That’s Good up on YouTube. This includes learning the song and having Aric learn how to play it too this will take three days. I will record it using YouTube in two days.	November 22 Had finished recording a Life That’s Good. Aric and I recorded using Logic Pro X.
Friday 15th - Have Bones uploaded on YouTube. This includes figuring out the instruments I will need layed and finding players this will take at least four days. Also, I will have to leant the song and record on Logic Pro X this will take 5 days.	December 18 Had a recording of original Song Flicker recorded using Logic.
Friday 22nd - Have Flicker posted, This includes having Mr. Gallagher remember and play the piano and record the vocals via YouTube. This will take a few days and putting it on soundcloud will take one.	January 6th I started working on Follow Your Arrow
December 6th - Jave new material on YouTube . I need to finish wirting the song and work with Mr. Gallagher to write the piano portion. Writing the song will take a week and then writing the piano portion will take four days. Then it will be recorded in one day on YouTube. Also, I would like to put it in Sound Cloud, which will take one day.	By January 17th I hope to have another song recorded and posted to soundcloud.
January 20th - Have Can’t Help Falling in Love online. Have Anna play the song on the piano and I sing along and record on youtube. I know the song therefore, Anna will need to learn it and that will probably take her a week. Then it will take a few days to record it.
January 26th - Have love love love online. Have Aric learn to play the song on guitar. It will take a week for us to do this and then upload it.

Incentives are almost done!!!

This week not a lot of progress was made because our class was making incentives all week. We are close to done! We should be done by the end of next week. Also my next project a friend and I will be creating a music video in Chinese. This week we have been working on the song which in English is called "Can I Hug You One Last Time". It is going to be a challenge because we are going to have to memorize the lyrics and act out the video at the same time.

Finally Some Actual Progress

This week has been a very productive week! I have "A Life That's Good" recorded both the guitar and vocals. Of course I may or may not re-record the vocals, chances are I will cause I aim for perfection! Also, my original song's (Yes it has no name yet, I'm working on that) piano portion is done. I have recorded some some vocals but my teacher and I want to get it perfect so we are going to add more instrumentation, and work on the vocals, and reaching that perfect pitch. I have been tampering with Logic Pro X and added in some drums but I need an opinion on it. Hopefully this Friday I will get that in our peer review. 
Also all of you who are anxious to get there rewards from donating we are working very hard we cranked out all the sticky notes, tie died the t-shirts, got the art, and are working on the infographic. The t-shirts are not quite done we still need to but our logo on which I must brag looks pretty good. That's all for this week chime back in next week.