I saw a Youtube where someone using Cubase or Logic had the ability to set a tempo variation of e.g. 3%. The software would slowly change tempo within a +/- 3% range to make the music play more naturally. I've also seen examples where a "humanization factor" can be set to avoid every note starting exactly as entered but adjusted back/forward in time by a tiny amount by the DAW during playback.
 
I could not find similar features in Sonar, but maybe I don't know where to look.  Is something like that available in Sonar?
 
Thanks!

Hi. You should be able to use (View) Tempo, to execute tempo changes.
All the best.

Thank you Zargg71. I could have asked more clearly:
I know how to do it manually, I was hoping that some level of tempo-drift could be globally automated.

Project>Insert Series of Tempos
Is that what you're looking for?
 
T

AllanH
I saw a Youtube where someone using Cubase or Logic had the ability to set a tempo variation of e.g. 3%. The software would slowly change tempo within a +/- 3% range to make the music play more naturally. I've also seen examples where a "humanization factor" can be set to avoid every note starting exactly as entered but adjusted back/forward in time by a tiny amount by the DAW during playback.
 
I could not find similar features in Sonar, but maybe I don't know where to look.  Is something like that available in Sonar?
 
Thanks!

If I am reading your question right, and forgive me if I am way off, you are wanting to introduce random slight tempo changes in your track, on the fly, while your project is playing. 

While Sonar does not provide such functionality, there may be a way to achieve a similar result by using the MIDI FX quantise on some MIDI tracks.  In the MIDI FX quantise, there is a random function there.  Set the random value to between about 3% to 7% which would add a little humanisation to each note on the track with the effect.  Of course each track would need its own instance of the MIDI FX.

AFAIK, still today these humanisation applications do not understand the structure of the song. A real band may increase the tempo slightly when chorus starts, or slow down a bit at the bridge. That serves the purpose. A random fluctuation of tempo seldom improves anything. IMO a manual tempo change at choruses or other signifigant points is fast and easy to do, and sounds better.
 
On a project level, one must remember a tempo change doesn't affect audio tracks (does this feature do that in Cubase?). Sometimes it may be enough to, say, have kick drum 2-3 ticks late in verses and equally much early in choruses or something like that, and move a few hits here and there.

I'm with Kalle here. A random tempo drift is awful.

promidi
If I am reading your question right, and forgive me if I am way off, you are wanting to introduce random slight tempo changes in your track, on the fly, while your project is playing. 

That was my intention, thank you for rephrasing. There is probably no "easy answer" and I'll manually insert subtle tempo curves when orchestration is finished.
 
For fun, I tried to record a piano piece starting at the right tempo but with the metronome off. The natural recording is much better than the metronome-accurate one, and so I was wondering if we had a short-cut to start with.
 
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments.
 
 

AllanH

promidi
If I am reading your question right, and forgive me if I am way off, you are wanting to introduce random slight tempo changes in your track, on the fly, while your project is playing. 

That was my intention, thank you for rephrasing. There is probably no "easy answer" and I'll manually insert subtle tempo curves when orchestration is finished.
 
For fun, I tried to record a piano piece starting at the right tempo but with the metronome off. The natural recording is much better than the metronome-accurate one, and so I was wondering if we had a short-cut to start with.
 
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments.
 
 

You can "extract" the tempo of that MIDI performance to the timeline/tempo map. I don't know EXACTLY how to do that but I know it can be done rather easily.
 
It can even be done with audio tracks using audiosnap but that ain't quite as easy. FastBikerBoy (Karl) has a turorial on his youtube page showing that process (audio track tempo extraction).
 
You could also just use "tap tempo" and tap away to the rhythm of your performance and it will be reflected in the timeline. Again not sure EXACTLY how that works and that, if you aren't ultra precise will actually CHANGE the rhtyhm of your MIDI tracks.
 
You can also just open the Tempo View and "Draw" your tempo variations freehand using the pencil (Draw) tool.
 
Check the manual for more info on these procedures because I don't have time today to look it all up and type up step by step instructions (sorry). It might get the other guys/gals who have done this stuff to elaborate a little further.
 
For me I've actually been studying the OPPOSITE function... as in taking wildly out of whack performances and cramming them into a more steady tempo.

There is a CAL script the randomized the timing. Probably not quite what you were looking for...
I've used it most often to randomize ride cymbals to a good effect.
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X2&language=3&help=Programming_CAL.06.html#23844
 
With the piano improv, did you try to "Fit Improvisation"? This can give you a varied tempo.
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X2&language=3&help=EditingMIDI.39.html
 
Michael