Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible?

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lingyai
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2015/09/11 12:57:04 (permalink)

Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible?

I have many takes -- in comping format, i.e. take tracks -- of the same vocal part -- so many that using VocalSync on each would take a long time. Is it possible to select multiple take tracks or clips as the dub tracks?
 
If so, what's the best workflow? Ideally I would like to do this all, or mainly, within comping mode. I.e. 
 
--I'd create a comp which has the timing I  want, bounce it to a normal track (if I must, though I'd prefer to leave it as it is, i.e. as a composite), and select that as the guide; 
 
--and then select the multiple take clips in the take lanes, and designate all of them as dub tracks, and then run VocalSync. 
 
Would this work? Or would I need to convert the take clips to normal clips first?  
 
I'd prefer to do it while they are still comping takes, because often, whether or not I'd use a take in a comp depends on its timing. So I'd like to get all my takes aligned in time so that I can then comp, choosing the best take (or part of a take) based on thngs other than timing (i.e. pitch, general delivery etc).
 
I hope I've made this question clear. 
 
Any advice would be appreciated!  
post edited by lingyai - 2015/09/11 13:30:19

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    lingyai
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/11 14:05:01 (permalink)
    This is odd ... I got an email stating that someone had replied, "Sorry, but AFAIK VocalSync processes one track at a time based on a single reference track", but I can't see that here...
    What makes me think it might be possible to select multiple takes as dub tracks is that the Platinum manual says that to deignate the dub, "drag across the bottom part of the clip(s)." But then the manual gives no more guidance on multiple clips, in the sense that I'm talking about.
     

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    Anderton
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/12 11:16:07 (permalink)
    I had posted that, but deleted it because I misunderstood the original question and my answer wasn't relevant. I thought you wanted to have multiple dub tracks following multiple guide tracks simultaneously.

    The first 3 books in "The Musician's Guide to Home Recording" series are available from Hal Leonard and http://www.reverb.com. Listen to my music on http://www.YouTube.com/thecraiganderton, and visit http://www.craiganderton.com. Thanks!
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    Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/12 11:42:24 (permalink)
    Not sure I fully understand what you are trying to do but I'll try and explain.
     
    For a single vocalsync clip instance there can only be *one* guide track. You can assign one guide track to be used by multiple vocalsync clips. The guide track itself doesn't need to be bounced down manually because when you make a vocalsync clip SONAR automatically composites the guide track.
     
    Vocalsync should be applied last *after* you have finished the comping process. If you have multiple takes that you have comped together for the same part and you wish to vocalsync that with a guide track of your choice, then the easiest thing to do would be to then flatten the entire comp track down to a single clip and then apply vocalsync to the flattened comp using the guide track.
     
    Hope this is what you are looking for.

    Noel Borthwick
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    lingyai
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/12 12:43:43 (permalink)
    Thanks both of you, gentlemen. With Craig and the CTO on the case (I appreciate the high-level attention, by the way), I think we'll quickly work out whether what I want to do is possible.

     
    I could probably do a better job at phrasing the question. Let me try again, starting with the background re what I'm facing.
     
    I typically record 10-20 vocal takes in comping mode. So I get a bunch of takes in take lanes.
     
    When I comp, the first thing I do is chop the takes into phrases, and then delete the obviously unsalvageable dogs. 
     
    This leaves me with candidates for each phrase, a few of which are fine as they are, but many of which would need some kind of tweak to be eligible to be the Chosen One.
     
    There are all manner of such tweaks -- some might need volume adjustment; some might need pitch and / or  formant adjustment in Melodyne (which, with the ARA integration into Sonar, I consider to be God's gift to me), etc.  
     
    And some might need timing adjustment.  Now, until the timing is fixed, I can't properly decide, in comping mode,  whether it will be the Chosen One or not. I need to get the timing right first to then properly compare it to the other candidates on the basis of the other criteria. So the first thing I want to do after zapping the dogs is to ensure the surviving candidates are timed right. In other words, this is a step I need to do in comping before I can do the remaining steps in comping. 
     
    What I've been doing so far is to trim the mis-timed candidate phrases so that I can manually slide them into place, and then get on with the rest of the evaluation.   It works, but gets tedious. And as I've recently recorded vocals for 10  projects, I'm keen to avoid all that labor by enlisting some process like VocalSync, if possible.
     
    Here's how I'd like to do it. I'd first create a comp based on one criteria only -- timing. This would become the guide track. I'd then impart the timing of this guide track to all the underlying takes -- i.e.I'd make all the underlying takes dub tracks. So, one guide track, multiple dub tracks. This would take care of timing for everyone. Then I could get on with the rest of the comping process.
     
    Is this possible? I can do it in Revoice Pro, but that is a pain to use. 
     
    Have I explained this better? If so, can I do this with VocalSync?
     
     As ever, grateful for any advice. 
     

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    lingyai
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/14 17:35:41 (permalink)
    Ok, so I'm guessing then that what I'd like to do isn't possible with VocalSync after all?

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    Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/15 17:21:51 (permalink)
    lingyai
    Here's how I'd like to do it. I'd first create a comp based on one criteria only -- timing. This would become the guide track. I'd then impart the timing of this guide track to all the underlying takes -- i.e.I'd make all the underlying takes dub tracks. So, one guide track, multiple dub tracks. This would take care of timing for everyone. Then I could get on with the rest of the comping process.
     
    Is this possible? I can do it in Revoice Pro, but that is a pain to use. 



    Yes you can use a single guide for multiple dub tracks. Its part of the vocalsync design to be able to do this. As I said "the easiest thing to do would be to then flatten the entire comp track down to a single clip and then apply vocalsync to the flattened comp using the guide track"
     
    To elaborate you have a bunch of clips in take lanes that you want to sync to a specified guide track. A single guide track can be applied to one or more clips or even multiple tracks. All the guide track does is provide the timing info and it is extracted at the time of creating the vocal sync clips themselves. i.e. After that operation you can change the guide track or even delete it and it will make no difference.
     
    So if you want to retain the clips in your take lane then simply select them one by one and convert them to vocalsync clips using the same guide track. A faster way if you don't require all the clips is to flatten them to a single comp clip and then apply vocalsync to that clip.
     

    Noel Borthwick
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    #7
    lingyai
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/15 17:28:40 (permalink)
    Thank you for the clarification, Noel. 

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    stevec
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    Re: Using VocalSync on a bunch of tracks (preferably comp takes) at once -- possible? 2015/09/16 14:26:02 (permalink)
    Interesting...  and good to know. 
     

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