Editing multiple takes in layers?

I've just started doing multiple takes in layers in a single track. 
A very cool idea. A way better than what I was doing, which was record over until I got the "perfect" take or make separate tracks.
Now, with a ton of data, I'm wondering how best to edit. 
I assume I'd use mute for the real screwups but is there a smart process for determining which part of which track to hear?
EG play each track on it's own and kill the bad parts then see if enough is left to make a continuous track?
If not, fix the best of the flubs or set up the mics and punch record it?
Then do you bounce or do you leave it as layers?
Other tips?

You can also use the mute tool. Just select the portions of each take that you want by holding down ctrl and dragging the mute tool in the top portion of the clip. This will hi-light only what you want to hear and mute the same potions of all the other takes at the same time, Repeat as needed until your part is assembled, then you can bounce to track if you want to.

First step is to duplicate and archive a copy.

Second step is to double check that you correctly duplicated and archived a copy!!

Nothing worse than bouncing it all done to keep things clean and realising later on that you sung it weird at one part and don't have a backup to look to.


I personally line up my 8 or so takes and cut the crap out of each one at the appropriate points for detailed selectioning. I don't like the mute tool personally. I prefer to work in individual edits as I'll be slip editing everything smoothly later anyway. Saves me time in the long run and I can use my shortcuts to much better advantage.

Remember the 'k' button. It's your mute button. My next step is to loop a section. Select all but the top take and hit 'k', thus muting everything but the top. Listen. Then highlight the top and the second take. Then hit 'k' and it essentially exclusive solos to the second take by unmuting it and muting the other one. Allows for quick transitioning through the takes. And remember to use the ctrl key when selecting multiple clips. It's your friend.

This method works well for me and I can't see anything else really being much faster so I'm pretty happy with it.

My workflow with layers is (usually with vocals):

- I split the layers into  clips that serve purpose
- I audition the clips  (one section/phrase at a time)
- I drag the good ones to a new track above the layertrack. .
- I archive the original track

Just like Kalle, I split my takes up into separate clip sections and audition them one at a time, using the M/S buttons to the left of the layers.

I'll then mute the ones I don't want and label the ones I want to keep as "KEEPERS"

When I've done, I drag all of my Keepers to a blank track, listen critically at the clip boundaries, slip editing or cross fading as necessary to eliminate any clicks.

Bristol_Jonesey

M_Glenn_M


This seems simple and effective too.
Is there a way to drag to a new track that locks the time line position?

To copy and maintain position, use ctrl + shift + drag.
To move and maintain position, use shift + drag.

I reckon I use that one pretty much every single time I open up SONAR. Couldn't live without it.

Here's a video of one of the methods I use.

AGershon

mattplaysguitar


I personally line up my 8 or so takes and cut the crap out of each one at the appropriate points for detailed selectioning. I don't like the mute tool personally. I prefer to work in individual edits as I'll be slip editing everything smoothly later anyway. Saves me time in the long run and I can use my shortcuts to much better advantage.

Remember the 'k' button. It's your mute button. My next step is to loop a section. Select all but the top take and hit 'k', thus muting everything but the top. Listen. Then highlight the top and the second take. Then hit 'k' and it essentially exclusive solos to the second take by unmuting it and muting the other one. Allows for quick transitioning through the takes. And remember to use the ctrl key when selecting multiple clips. It's your friend.

This method works well for me and I can't see anything else really being much faster so I'm pretty happy with it.

Upon further reflection, this method sounds superior to the ctrl+mute tool. Because when you've got everything cut together from all the takes you're going to want to crossfade between clips.


Is there a way to crossfade your selections if you've used the ctrl+mute tool method outlined by Thatsastrat? 

I believe I read that this method will put the cut at a zero crossing, thus controlling pops, and clicks.
Cross fades should not be needed, unless you need the fade from one clip to the next for the effect you are trying to achieve.

Cutting at the zero crossing is the ticket for getting pop and click free edits, 99% of the time. Some editing could still be required, depending on the material.

Grem


Excellent thread. 

I knew of the Shift+Drag to keep a clip in timeline. And I knew the "make a copy" combo CTRL+Drag. But I never thought to combine them for Copy AND keep in timeline!!!

I'll give a little hint here also: Don't try to move clips from one layer to another to place them in an certain order you would like. The clips end up going to some weird spot and also making new layers for no apparent reason. Does anyone have a workaround for this? Or am I doing something wrong?

Here is my reasoning: I also have at least 4-8 takes/layers on a trk. I audition them, then do my thing and the good stuff ends up on a separate trk. But like someone said, after listening more closely, I find that one little part needs changing. And this is usually long after I've made the original takes. So when I go back and listen again, I don't remember which ones were the best ones. So I have to listen to them all!! If I could rearrange the layers the way I want, I would put the best ones up on top, and the worst on bottom. Every time I try this, the layers act funny and do weird things like I move one and all the others move randomly!!

Any takes that I feel need attention and I need to go back to, or on the other hand are great and need to be kept,
I change the colour of the clip (in the inspector) to Red or Green respectively, just until I have the final comp'd track.

Where is the mute tool and what does it look like?  Thanks.

the mute tool is on the same icon as the erase tool, just use the dropdown to select it.
Or press F10 twice

if you cant do it right using 2-3 takes then you should re evaluate your creative process.

M_Glenn_M


That depends on the complexity and the personal fussiness level I'm sure..

chuckebaby


if you cant do it right using 2-3 takes then you should re evaluate your creative process.

Or get Charlie to do it 

FastBikerBoy

chuckebaby


if you cant do it right using 2-3 takes then you should re evaluate your creative process.

You've never heard me sing then Charlie. I'm usually just getting into my stride on the fortieth or fiftieth take.

Yeah me too!! And I also find that there are only about 2-3 good takes no matter how many I do. I just have to do enough to get those 2 or 3!!!