Helpful ReplyRemixing with loops

Author
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
2017/10/11 17:55:33 (permalink)

Remixing with loops

I have a completed song that I wish to remix by adding some commercial loops to the arrangement (Such as you can buy from Producer Loops, etc.)
 
Many of the loops you can buy specify that they will adapt to key and tempo.  But I want them to adapt to the existing chord progressions in the song.  I think this cannot be done with audio loops, but I wonder if it can be done with MIDI loops, and how difficult that might be.
 
Am I correct regarding using MIDI loops?  Are there any existing tutorials showing this procedure?
 
Thanks, Don
#1
chuckebaby
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 13146
  • Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/11 20:09:25 (permalink)
If your song was recorded to a BPM than it should be very easy to do.
I would use Session drummer 3 or Additive drummer, exc, than build the beats in the Piano Roll View.
This can be achieved by drawing in your notes for the midi track/soft synth of choice.

Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
   
#2
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 5849
  • Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
  • Location: Seattle, Wa
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/11 21:01:56 (permalink)
I believe acidized loops will respond to key change markers un song.
#3
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/11 22:43:19 (permalink)
dubdisciple
I believe acidized loops will respond to key change markers un song.

Thanks for response, but that is one of the problems I have with terminology.  I don't want to change KEY; if the song is written in the key of C, I want to keep it there.  What I want is the ability to change the chords within that key so they will match my chord sequences.
 
I am not sure if the phrase "key change markers" is used for convenience as another way of saying the same thing???
 
#4
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 5849
  • Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
  • Location: Seattle, Wa
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/11 22:50:35 (permalink)
Having the the loop respond to key changes, i believe would change the chords since sound would shift entire sound to adjust to change...at least that is my guess. Personally i never tried that. I would manually cut the part of the chord i wanted to change and shift it manually and bounce to new file
#5
bvideo
Max Output Level: -58 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1707
  • Joined: 2006/09/02 22:20:02
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/12 06:34:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby jerrypettit 2017/10/12 12:06:00
It is "pitch markers" that change the pitch of groove clips. Pitched groove clips should contain a value for the reference note, which should match the pitch you hear just playing the clip outside the DAW. Setting a pitch marker to a different pitch causes Sonar to play the clip at the new pitch. Problems could arise because 1) the clip's native pitch is too far from the pitch you try to change it to, so it sounds lousy, and 2) sometimes just shifting the pitch does not match the chord changes or harmony you're after.

W10 pro, Sonar Platinum, Alesis Multimix 16 FW, MOTU Express 128, Gigabyte Z370 HD3P, i7 8700K, 16 Gigs, ssd + 2 X 2T disks, D50-MEX, JV80, A90EX, M1REX
#6
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/12 07:00:26 (permalink)
bvideo.......That pretty well states some of the problems involved.  Which is why I asked the question about MIDI loops.
 
I am under the impression that music in MIDI form can be changed according to your own specifications, which you cannot do with audio loops in the same way.
 
So back to my original question:  Am I correct that I would be able to have MIDI loops changed without problems so as to correlate with my chord progressions?  (I think this is a different question than trying to use Sonar's Groove Clips.)
#7
jsalo
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 22
  • Joined: 2006/04/08 08:08:17
  • Location: Finland
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/12 09:15:18 (permalink)
Well not 100% sure what you are asking, but if you add/write midi parts (they don't have to be loops), you can change individual notes, chords, velocities and w.e. you like. Midi is usually used to control a synthesizer which outputs the audio, Midi doesn't output any audio in itself. Midi contains information for a synthesizer to play the notes you want it to play. You can put the existing song on one track and add stuff on other tracks and mix them with your hearts content.

J.
#8
chuckebaby
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 13146
  • Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/12 11:34:05 (permalink)
I will post my original comment again,
""This can be achieved by drawing in your notes for the midi track/soft synth of choice in the PRV""
 
Drawing/editing notes by hand in the PRV will allow you to cut, copy, paste, change keys, velocity's, exc.

Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
   
#9
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/14 17:11:25 (permalink)
chuckebaby
""This can be achieved by drawing in your notes for the midi track/soft synth of choice in the PRV""  Drawing/editing notes by hand in the PRV will allow you to cut, copy, paste, change keys, velocity's, exc.


Chuck, thanks for the response.  I was hoping, however, to be able to make the changes by chords rather than by attacking each individual note.  I found this answer to my exact same question in the Logic Pro forum:
 
"IF the loop is a Software Instrument, i.e. MIDI track, with the track editor open in either Score or Piano Roll format, you could highlight all the notes in the loop, starting where you want the chord change, and transpose-by-dragging the notes (which will all move as a group) up or down to the desired beginning note."
 
Could it be done the same way in Sonar, grabbing groups of notes and moving them up or down?
#10
randyman
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 182
  • Joined: 2005/05/17 20:44:11
  • Location: ga
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 02:12:43 (permalink)
That's the same thing Chuck is saying.  

A rack of noisemakers is not a definitive substitute for creativity. (though it does seem to help)

what I spend my lunch time doing:  (don't laugh - its just for fun!) www.soundclick.com/rnewburn

#11
groovey1
Max Output Level: -85 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 288
  • Joined: 2008/09/30 20:00:28
  • Location: W. Canada
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 04:58:15 (permalink)
dscoyne
 
Could it be done the same way in Sonar, grabbing groups of notes and moving them up or down?


Yes, you can do the same thing, or you can use the Transpose command on the selected notes. If you want to change the chord's quality -- for example, major to minor-- you would have to start manipulating the individual notes.

SONAR Platinum, Win10-64, Acer Aspire V15 (i7-4510U, 2.0GHz, 8GB), Quad-Capture
https://soundcloud.com/waltmusekamp
#12
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 07:01:32 (permalink)
groovey1
dscoyne
 
Could it be done the same way in Sonar, grabbing groups of notes and moving them up or down?


Yes, you can do the same thing, or you can use the Transpose command on the selected notes. If you want to change the chord's quality -- for example, major to minor-- you would have to start manipulating the individual notes.



Thanks, that helps clarify.  I guess I will wind up changing one note in a lot of the chords since I use many minor chords in my songs.
 
If Sonar had a chord track, that would be a big help to many songwriters.  Or if one could type in a chord in the staff view and have it sound in the production.
#13
chuckebaby
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 13146
  • Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 11:30:14 (permalink)
dscoyne
 
Could it be done the same way in Sonar, grabbing groups of notes and moving them up or down?


 
If I may make a suggestion, my advice is to learn the basics. Familiarize yourself with the Piano roll view. Once you learn how the tools work it wont be long before you are used to it and writing parts out quickly. Matter of fact, You wont even need to purchase or use any free midi loops from other vendors because you will create your own chord that you will use for future projects.
 
1- Load your midi track
2- Open the piano roll view
3- Hold the right mouse button down while dragging a box around the notes of the chord.
4- drag the box of chords up/down to change chord notes.
 
There is no need for any kind of "chord track" or anything like that.
Once you have one chord in the piano roll view, just copy/paste it further down the line.
This duplicates the chord. Then you can drag that chord box up/down, change one note, what ever, exc.
 
 

Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
   
#14
bz2838
Max Output Level: -83 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 366
  • Joined: 2010/10/16 14:44:50
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 13:55:17 (permalink)
A chord track would be helpful in Splat for songwriters who are not proficient on keyboards, I find the chord track in Cubase very helpful, and would like to see one in Sonar Platinum!

Purrrfect Audio:  Intel i7 7700k (Kabylake), 32Gig DDR4/2133, Windows 10x64 Pro, USB RME Babyface, Sonar Platinum Current
#15
Anderton
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 14070
  • Joined: 2003/11/06 14:02:03
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/15 17:05:24 (permalink)
The Transpose MIDI plug-in will constrain notes to particular keys and scales. It's really quite cool. You can even create custom note mappings. 
 

 
Also the MIDI Inspector will constrain notes to particular scales and keys when you draw them in the PRV (either its own window or in-line).
 
To do chord arrangements in SONAR, think like Ableton Live or Matrix View scenes...create a track for each chord type you want to use, set the Transpose plug-in to constrain to the desired scale/key, then drag the parts from your original track that you want affected by the desired constraint to the appropriate track. Given the huge number of scale options SONAR provides, this is a very comprehensive solution.
 
The Transpose plug-in can also be inspiring for songwriting. Play your part, try different scales...be surprised and delighted 
 

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!
#16
Joe_A
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 458
  • Joined: 2008/07/06 23:16:14
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/16 17:23:51 (permalink)
I have to learn more about using MIDI other than basic steps. The transpose plug in looks very helpful. And that Sonar MIDI will constrain to keys and more automatically when drawing chords or notes in is something I haven't used before.

jambrose@cfl.rr.com  Sonar Plat. Lifetime. Started in Sonar 4, each through 8.5.3PE.
Scarlett 18i202nd gen., Edirol FA-101, M-Audio Firewire 410, AMD Phenom II 1045T six core processor, 8GB DDR3, AMD Radeon HD 6450, dual displays, 1.5 TB SATA HD, USB 2, Firewire 1394A, 1394B, 18/22 mixer, EV Q-66, Yamaha HS50M monitors, few guitars, Fender Cybertwin SE, Fender Cyber foot controller, Boss RC20-XL, misc pedals, etc. Win Home Prem 64 bit.
#17
Joe_A
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 458
  • Joined: 2008/07/06 23:16:14
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/16 17:44:51 (permalink)
dscoyne
dubdisciple
I believe acidized loops will respond to key change markers un song.

Thanks for response, but that is one of the problems I have with terminology.  I don't want to change KEY; if the song is written in the key of C, I want to keep it there.  What I want is the ability to change the chords within that key so they will match my chord sequences.
 
I am not sure if the phrase "key change markers" is used for convenience as another way of saying the same thing???
 


When you say chord sequences are you talking about chords in a rhythm guitar track (or other instrument), or riffs in measures, or a base line, to be duplicated at places across verses, or? 😉 I don't play "chord sequences" in songs so I'm trying to understand where in a song and what instrument you're wanting to repeat.
There are different chord structures in same key to use for a different sound.

How many verses, bridges, etc in your song and how long is the song?
😊 my interest and creative bone is piqued now. I'm trying to picture your "deliverable" , the song structure and how to add to it.

I know this is too much to share, no worries...but let us know how the final mix sounds.

I'm going to have to start truly learning more about using MIDI. Maybe tomorrow I'll start tinkering with building chords myself. *I've always been mostly focused on recording audio.

jambrose@cfl.rr.com  Sonar Plat. Lifetime. Started in Sonar 4, each through 8.5.3PE.
Scarlett 18i202nd gen., Edirol FA-101, M-Audio Firewire 410, AMD Phenom II 1045T six core processor, 8GB DDR3, AMD Radeon HD 6450, dual displays, 1.5 TB SATA HD, USB 2, Firewire 1394A, 1394B, 18/22 mixer, EV Q-66, Yamaha HS50M monitors, few guitars, Fender Cybertwin SE, Fender Cyber foot controller, Boss RC20-XL, misc pedals, etc. Win Home Prem 64 bit.
#18
dscoyne
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 121
  • Joined: 2006/10/05 22:48:38
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/17 08:11:23 (permalink)
Joe_A
dscoyne
dubdisciple
I believe acidized loops will respond to key change markers un song.

Thanks for response, but that is one of the problems I have with terminology.  I don't want to change KEY; if the song is written in the key of C, I want to keep it there.  What I want is the ability to change the chords within that key so they will match my chord sequences.
 
I am not sure if the phrase "key change markers" is used for convenience as another way of saying the same thing???
 

When you say chord sequences are you talking about chords in a rhythm guitar track (or other instrument), or riffs in measures, or a base line, to be duplicated at places across verses, or?

How many verses, bridges, etc in your song and how long is the song?
😊 my interest and creative bone is piqued now. I'm trying to picture your "deliverable" , the song structure and how to add to it.
I know this is too much to share, no worries...but let us know how the final mix sounds.



I'll share!  If you were to look at a "fake book," you would see that all the included songs' sheet music is in the form of "lead sheets," which typically have just one staff with notes for the main melody, chord symbols above the bars for the harmony, plus lyrics.  The sequence of these chord symbols is, by definition, the chord sequences, or "chord progressions."  All instruments with pitches in a production would normally be playing the same indicated harmony.
 
Since I am a non-performing songwriter, I do notation instead of laying down a track, and that is the form I use with a free notation program called MuseScore.  MIDI then becomes very important to me because I then export the song as a MIDI file into an arranging program.  Some writers use Band-in-a-Box for this purpose,,,,I use Jammer Pro (which unfortunately is no longer being supported, but still works).
 
I then save the resulting arrangement as a MIDI file and open it in Sonar, where I can then add a vocal and improve the quality of the instruments.
 
And this gets to the reason why I am interested in using Loops (my original question), because I want to update some of these arrangements to get a more contemporary sound.  These loops would have to match up with the harmonies (the chords) of my original compositions.
 
The productions that I make of my songs are primarily to get feedback and critiques on each song before arranging for a professional demo to be produced, usually in Nashville.  But that could change some if I can get up to speed in the use of current loops.
 
As to your question about the structure of my songs:  Usually they have 2 or 3 verses, a repeated chorus, and a bridge, but some are in AABA structure without a chorus.  To hear some of them, and to analyze the structure by looking at the lyrics, you can go to:
http://www.broadjam.com/doncoyne
 
Hope that helps..........Don
#19
Joe_A
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 458
  • Joined: 2008/07/06 23:16:14
  • Status: offline
Re: Remixing with loops 2017/10/17 16:29:02 (permalink)
Super! That's what i was looking for! So from an AABA or related, (I'm sadly very structured in my songs, probably too rigid), following the "Billy Joel" theology...
So your loops will be repeated in verses, then last two measures of a turnaround may vary, and loops in the chorus/bridges may be repeated.

Working from your original loops, using them as the rhythm instrument staying in same key.... the more modern feel might be accomplished by changing each existing chord structure and maybe using a different synth or instrument.... something like that may be the answer. 😊 and the steps in doing that I think that's your question if I'm understand right.

Is there an existing chord sheet for the present loops? Or not, that may be one of the issues trying to get to that starting point?

Sounds like a good project!

jambrose@cfl.rr.com  Sonar Plat. Lifetime. Started in Sonar 4, each through 8.5.3PE.
Scarlett 18i202nd gen., Edirol FA-101, M-Audio Firewire 410, AMD Phenom II 1045T six core processor, 8GB DDR3, AMD Radeon HD 6450, dual displays, 1.5 TB SATA HD, USB 2, Firewire 1394A, 1394B, 18/22 mixer, EV Q-66, Yamaha HS50M monitors, few guitars, Fender Cybertwin SE, Fender Cyber foot controller, Boss RC20-XL, misc pedals, etc. Win Home Prem 64 bit.
#20
Jump to:
© 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1