X2 AudioSnap question

K, I'm using AudioSnap in X2 to set a track tempo from a guitar part that will eventually become the project tempo. The idea here is to use this to create sync for drums and other tracks to be added later, some by sharing across Internet to other DAWs. I know, it would have been easier if the originator had played to a click track, but I don't have that. I've been able to find the tempo and AudioSnap has worked well for this track. It has a good solid tempo and requires very little tempo editing. The problem is the track doesn't start at 1:1. I can't for the life of me find a way to tell the tempo markers to start at 1:2. Is there a way to do this? I simply want to change the start tempo map and have all subsequent markers move up properly, 1 quarter beat up. I do know I can set a new tempo marker and adjust that, which I've done, but I can't move the first marker up into the "intro". Any suggestions?

audio snap is the most frustrating feature of sonar for me, because it's millimeters away from being useful.

huggy59


K, I'm using AudioSnap in X2 to set a track tempo from a guitar part that will eventually become the project tempo. The idea here is to use this to create sync for drums and other tracks to be added later, some by sharing across Internet to other DAWs. I know, it would have been easier if the originator had played to a click track, but I don't have that. I've been able to find the tempo and AudioSnap has worked well for this track. It has a good solid tempo and requires very little tempo editing. The problem is the track doesn't start at 1:1. I can't for the life of me find a way to tell the tempo markers to start at 1:2. Is there a way to do this? I simply want to change the start tempo map and have all subsequent markers move up properly, 1 quarter beat up. I do know I can set a new tempo marker and adjust that, which I've done, but I can't move the first marker up into the "intro". Any suggestions?

I'm not sure I'm following exactly. Are you referring to the beat markers while editing the clip map? If so don't get confused between project measure/beat references and these Clip map beat markers. They are completely unrelated. If the track doesn't start at 1:1 it makes no difference as long as the first beat marker in the clip map is the project's first beat.

Having said all that there is a little housekeeping that should be done that will make audiosnap, clip map editing, and tempo extraction much easier and more reliable especially on live material that wasn't tracked to a click track.

1. Select all tracks/clips
2. Trim all clips to their proper "start" point.
3. Set the project tempo to very roughly the material tempo. (Count beats in a ten second section and multiply by 6)
4. If working on multiple tracks choose a track that has the most steady and consistent beat pattern. Kick/snare are usually good candidates or even overheads if the transients are distinct enough.
5. Zoom in and locate the first down beat of the first measure of the chosen track i.e. 1:1 (completely ignore Sonar's tempo grid - it doesn't matter where it is relative to this. It could be at 15:3 on Sonar's tempo grid it won't matter at this point I'm referring to the actual first beat "proper" - also ignore any pick up section at the front -you can map this to 0:1, 0:2, etc later)
6. To make life easier. From the track view menu turn on "View--->Display--->Vertical Grid Lines--->In front of clips"
7. Turn off snap to grid, make sure all clips are still selected and then click drag to very roughly line up this first beat with one of the measure lines - it doesn't matter which one. I frequently end up using measure 20+ if there's a lot of studio chit chat at the front.
8. Check all clips are still selected and bounce to clip. This will remove any studio outtake and errant transients that can confuse Audiosnap
9. Select all again, select audio transients, and click on the track chosen at step 4.
10. From the audiosnap palette click on "Edit clip map"
11. Check that the detected tempo is roughly correct. If not change it (Bottom left of clip map editor)
12. Check "Beats per measure" setting is correct.
13. You should find at this point that 1:1 (in the clip map editor) is already lined up correctly but if it isn't drag it to the correct transient marker.
14. You should also find that if you've done all the prep work above the rest of the beat markers should more or less line up correctly with the transient markers although this will depend on how accurately you've set the detected tempo and how steady the material is.
15. Use the tab key to step through the whole project adjusting any beat markers that don't line up with the correct transient marker. Ignore the project measure lines at this point they are completely unrelated to the beat markers that are currently being edited. Any adjusted beat markers will turn red to indicate that.
16. If there are periods of silence in the track add transient markers manually so that the beat markers have something to reference too. This step will also help to avoid "Tempo out of range" messages.
17. Once finished exit the clip map editor
18. Choose the required tempo marker resolution from the drop down. "Measure" is usually the best compromise. Sonar will generate a tempo change at whatever you set here. i.e. One for "Clip", EVery measure for "Measure" or every beat for "Beats"
19. Select the chosen clip and click on "Set project from clip" button that will generate the tempo map.
20. If you want the project to start at 1:1 drag a dummy clip from the browser (a groove clip is ideal) and drag it out to the start of the tracks then select it.
21. Add all tracks to the selection and select "Edit--->Delete Special"
22. Make sure that "Delete Hole" and "Tempo changes" are checked and click okay.
23. That will delete the gap and bump the tempo changes along accordingly.

If you have "SWA Complete Sonar X2" all of that and more is covered in "Audio Snap (Part 2)" starting at 7:00:00.

It's also much quicker to do than it reads once you get used to it.

Of course if I've misunderstood the question just ignore me....

HTH