Geo524
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Recording the metronome?
Hi Folks,
Is there any way to record the metronome in Sonar internally? I work with other musicians via the internet from time to time and some have asked me to send them a click track. It's a PITA because I have to mic one of my monitors and record it in realtime. I know there has to be a way but I've yet to figure out how to do it.
Thanks...
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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mrphil
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 10:17:25
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If you have a soundcard with several ins/outs and options in the soundcard mixer to routing, you can route your click to some outputs > route that to another input > record that input to a track.
I don't know if there is a smarter way around it in the X-series, I'm on 8. Reaper actually have a neat function to capture click directly to a track.
Sonar 8 | SSL Mixtreme 192 16 I/O | Mackie 24:8 BUS | dbx | Milab, Shure, AT, AKG
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robert_e_bone
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 10:32:11
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I usually add an extra midi track, assign it to my drum synth, and create a simple midi clip of usually pedal hi-hats on the beat, and if need sub-division of the beats, I will either mod it to 2 steps or 4 steps and add closed hi-hats for the eighth notes or 16th notes. I then just copy/paste and specify however many repetitions I need for the song.
I control its presence of absence through simple muting, and it can be transferred to somebody else as either a midi track or bounced to audio. I generally prefer sending it as a midi track, because then they can control tempo easily if need be, and they can always bounce to audio if they want.
Hope that helps,
Bob Bone
Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!" Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22 Computers: 1) i7-2600 k, 32 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 Pro x64 & 2) AMD A-10 7850 32 GB RAM Windows 10 Pro x64 Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms
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RobertB
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 10:56:20
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I do basically what Bob does.
I assign a different synth, though, to keep the click track from blending into the drum tracks. I also use a different sound, usually wood blocks. The MIDI track will follow tempo changes, provided you tell it to.
It's very easy and flexible.
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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Cactus Music
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 11:30:27
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But if you do want the metronome in a mix you can change it's output to master bus. It's normal default is to the direct output of your interface Stereo 1/2.
I did a song once where the metronome became a part of the song somehow..
The metronome has input and output configurations like any Bus.
With my interface I can route it back to an audio track using Scarletts mix control.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 12:19:32
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Thanks for the great tips everyone.
Cactus Music I have the Scarlett 18i20 with mix control. Can you explain in brief how to set up the routing? Thanks
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Living Room Rocker
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 16:22:35
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Hi George. I think what Johnny (Cactus Music) is referring to is the loop back channel in Mix Control. I have a Saffire unit, but I would think it has the same software (Mix Control). You can find it in the Routing section (when right clicking on the Effects button or whichever is the one on the far left atop the bottom section). There where you can route Mixes and outputs, you can pick Loop 1 and Loop 2 (left and right for stereo, respectively). If you don't have that option available, I guess the hard wire loop Bob described will work.
Kind regards,
Living Room Rocker
Kind regards, Living Room Rocker
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robert_e_bone
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 17:12:29
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I have ZERO idea as to whether or not how I do a click track is the best way to go. It takes me next to nothing for time to set it up, so that's why I use my approach. It's quick, can be exported/bounced/muted, and follows tempo changes (though not meter changes).
So please, feel free to explore any and all options. :)
Bob Bone
Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!" Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22 Computers: 1) i7-2600 k, 32 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 Pro x64 & 2) AMD A-10 7850 32 GB RAM Windows 10 Pro x64 Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms
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Cactus Music
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 23:04:58
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What the rocker just said, Sorry I'm away from home so cannot look, but It's in the nice well written manual as that is why I know it exists. Ha ha,, I actually read manuals!!!
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Cactus Music
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/20 23:11:22
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To include previously-recorded DAW tracks, or audio from other computer applications into the mix,
select the two relevant DAW inputs as a stereo input track. These may typically be DAW 1 and DAW 2,
but this will depend how the outputs of the DAW or other computer application are routed.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 12:01:54
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You guys are awesome. Thanks again for all the great suggestions. Life things have me hoppin' busy at the moment but I will definitely look into it over the weekend. There were a couple times I've actually wanted the sound of the metronome ticking away in the music. The one in Sonar has a pleasant sound to me... 
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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Beepster
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 12:24:09
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Geo524
Thanks for the great tips everyone.
Cactus Music I have the Scarlett 18i20 with mix control. Can you explain in brief how to set up the routing? Thanks
Unfortunately there is no internal "Loopback" function with the Scarlett 18i6. The other Scarlett models have it as do their other product lines but I asked Focusrite themselves about this before purchasing my 18i6. It just couldn't be wired that way but I decided I'd rather have the extra i/o's than the loopback. However there may be other ways to do but I'm assuming Cactus Music is probably referring to the feature I'm talking about. You could double check with Focusrite though but you'll probably get the same response I did which was basically "Just use a cable from one of the outs to one of the ins". Sorry... just trying to save you some time from chasing a feature that you may not have. Cheers.
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brconflict
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 16:20:55
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mrphil
If you have a soundcard with several ins/outs and options in the soundcard mixer to routing, you can route your click to some outputs > route that to another input > record that input to a track.
I don't know if there is a smarter way around it in the X-series, I'm on 8. Reaper actually have a neat function to capture click directly to a track.
This is what I recommend, but there's also a really powerful hidden benefit here. ASIO drivers are not the best at detecting latency in hardware. If you route a metronome click out your interface, back into an input through a suitably long cable, record the audio on a new track, then, playback that recorded metronome the same way, recording the playback audio onto yet another track, between the two, you can find exactly how many samples off your ASIO driver is from latency monitoring. You can then make an adjustment to your offset by this number of samples, and voila! all of your overdubs will be sample-perfect!
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 17:20:12
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Beepster
Geo524
Thanks for the great tips everyone.
Cactus Music I have the Scarlett 18i20 with mix control. Can you explain in brief how to set up the routing? Thanks
Unfortunately there is no internal "Loopback" function with the Scarlett 18i6. The other Scarlett models have it as do their other product lines but I asked Focusrite themselves about this before purchasing my 18i6. It just couldn't be wired that way but I decided I'd rather have the extra i/o's than the loopback.
However there may be other ways to do but I'm assuming Cactus Music is probably referring to the feature I'm talking about. You could double check with Focusrite though but you'll probably get the same response I did which was basically "Just use a cable from one of the outs to one of the ins".
Sorry... just trying to save you some time from chasing a feature that you may not have. Cheers.
Hey Beepster, You might have seen this already but if not it might be a work-around for you? http://global.focusrite.com/answerbase/does-the-scarlett-18i6-have-loopback?id=1224 I have the 18i20 but haven't checked to see if I have Loop-back or not. To tell you the truth I haven't experimented all that much with the mix control software but I guess I'm going to have to start learning it.
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 17:24:37
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brconflict
mrphil
If you have a soundcard with several ins/outs and options in the soundcard mixer to routing, you can route your click to some outputs > route that to another input > record that input to a track.
I don't know if there is a smarter way around it in the X-series, I'm on 8. Reaper actually have a neat function to capture click directly to a track.
This is what I recommend, but there's also a really powerful hidden benefit here. ASIO drivers are not the best at detecting latency in hardware. If you route a metronome click out your interface, back into an input through a suitably long cable, record the audio on a new track, then, playback that recorded metronome the same way, recording the playback audio onto yet another track, between the two, you can find exactly how many samples off your ASIO driver is from latency monitoring. You can then make an adjustment to your offset by this number of samples, and voila! all of your overdubs will be sample-perfect!
Thanks Brian... Whew... I know to you guys this is probably basic stuff but to me it's a bit overwhelming. Lol. I'm going to have to really dissect these instructions, break 'em down and take it one step at a time.
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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Beepster
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/21 17:44:44
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Oh crap. Sorry, dude. My bleary old eyes read 18i6 instead of 18i20. I think that one came out after I bought mine. I'd imagine they probably tried to cram the loopback feature on there somewhere considering how popular it is.
And thanks... I did know about the SPDIF trick. My needs for a loopback set up are more to snag audio from other programs so the ASIO thing is the problem (sharing driver) but if I get to that I'll just use a different driver mode or use another program to capture the audio. If I needed a click track I'd just use a MIDI track with some acceptable percussive noise and bounce it if need be (as was mentioned upthread). I actually prefer it that way anyway because traditional click wigs me out when I'm trying to track.
Good luck.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/22 06:47:16
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No prob Beepster. Yeah. The click track using midi seems like a good way of doing it too. I'll be looking into all the options provided in this thread over the holiday weekend. Gotta leave some time for BBQing too...
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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Cactus Music
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/22 10:22:29
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In what Brian has mentioned is a way to test your system to see if Sonar and your audio drivers are calculating your latency offset properly. You re record a track with strong transients with the loop it back and then see if the new track lines up. It better. Sonar does this automatically and rarely needs user adjustments.
And yes I have a 6i6 , but I thought Mix Control was the same, guess not.
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Beepster
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/22 11:00:15
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Cactus Music
In what Brian has mentioned is a way to test your system to see if Sonar and your audio drivers are calculating your latency offset properly. You re record a track with strong transients with the loop it back and then see if the new track lines up. It better. Sonar does this automatically and rarely needs user adjustments.
And yes I have a 6i6 , but I thought Mix Control was the same, guess not.
Yeah, it's a hardware limitation not a software one. I'm not sure if I got a special 18i6 version of MixControl. I really don't mess with it much aside from changing my buffers. It's just me here so I don't need special headphone mixes or elaborate input set ups. I set it up when I first got it and that was that. Love that little thing... especially the separate monitor and headphone level knobs. Saved me from having to buy a BigKnob type device to control my ref monitors or running it through my mixer which would probably color the sound.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/23 09:03:20
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Well Gentleman I found out that the Loopback feature is only available to the Saffire line of Focusrite interfaces. I had the Pro40 originally but swapped it out for the 18i20. Looks like I'll be taking the midi route...
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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Beepster
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/23 09:23:06
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If you weren't already aware the easiest way is to just create a bar or two of the "click" track you want in the PRV then turn the MIDI clip into a Groove Clip and stretch it out as long as you need it to be.
Cheers.
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Geo524
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Re: Recording the metronome?
2014/05/23 09:37:04
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Cool Beepster and thanks. You guys ROCK!!!
Win 10 x 64; CbB; SPlat; MixCraft 8 Pro; AMD FX4130, 3.8 GHz; DDR3 32 GB Ram; Focusrite Scarlett 18i20; SSD 1TB, 2 x 1TB and 1 x 640 GB HDD; Mackie HR624 Monitors, KRK G2 Rockit 5's, Dual HP S2331 23" MonitorsMusic and SFX http://www.radiosparx.com/georgeandmarguerite
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