What's the best way to auditon MIDI drum loops?

The only way I can see to do this would be the "Import MIDI" dialog box, where theoretically I should be able to press "Play" and hear a loop before importing it. I would hope that the loop would play in Sync with my song, which is already palying. Unfortunately I can't get this to work, because it seems no matter what MIDI loop I choose to play I get the error message "Cannot play this MIDI loop". Doesn't make any difference if it's a MIDI groove clip, Type 1 or Type 0, it still won't play. However, if I click "Import" my MIDI loops play fine. Any one else seen this?

Cliff

There are several threads on audition midi loops. Check HERE.

Thanks,

Can't see an answer to the problem with Import MIDI?

I have S4PE. Doesn't make any difference what Synth I use, S4PE says it can't play the MIDI file, yet it has no problem importing it. Same problem for all MIDI file formats. User error or bug?

Cliff

ORIGINAL: Somerset

Thanks,

Can't see an answer to the problem with Import MIDI?

I have S4PE. Doesn't make any difference what Synth I use, S4PE says it can't play the MIDI file, yet it has no problem importing it. Same problem for all MIDI file formats. User error or bug?

Cliff

I'm betting it's neither. I think there are a lot more issues with midi files (outputs, channels, patches, banks) then can be addressed by a simple "audition" like a .wav.
A midi "loop" is still a file, and each one of the things I mentioned above have to be addressed before it can be played, and it is not likely that S4 has a "default" in place just for this purpose.
I think (for now) it has to be imported to be played.

Anybody?

Brian

Thanks Brian,

You are probably right. Maybe the "play" button should be "greyed out" though, to avoid confusion if it really isn't an available option. The help file does not mention the "play" button that is in the Import MIDI dialog box. I wasn't sure what to make of that.

I am new to using MIDI drum loops, and always used to use audio loops. However, I just got Reason DrumKits Refill. This is an excellent drum package - unbelievable actually. Now my MIDI drum loops sound great, but finding the right loop is time consuming.

I was hoping someone knew a "work-around".

Cliff

ORIGINAL: Stone House Studios

I think there are a lot more issues with midi files (outputs, channels, patches, banks) then can be addressed by a simple "audition" like a .wav.
A midi "loop" is still a file, and each one of the things I mentioned above have to be addressed before it can be played, and it is not likely that S4 has a "default" in place just for this purpose.

Brian

By the way, all of the things you mentioned are already set up before invoking the "Import MIDI" dialogue box. First I set up a drum synth, then I assign a MIDI channel to it, and then from that MIDI channel I select "Import MIDI". Pressing the "Play" button on the Import dialogue box could work - although it doesn't seem to. Without needing any more definition, I just hit "Open" and the loop will play straight away, after importing.

One of the best apps I have seen that deals with auditioning and playing midi loops is ACID Pro 4/5. It uses the exact same paradigm for using audio loops.
You use the same Loop Explorer to audition both midi & audio loops, drag & drop to the timeline and then roll them out (paint), with the pencil or paint tool.
It is easy, quick & seamless. It just takes too long to audtion midi loops in SONAR. In the amount of time it would take to audition one midi loop, during live playback, in SONAR, I could already have gone through scores of midi loops, directly from the Loop Explorer, in complete tempo sync, in ACID. What is nice now, is that with the new ACID 5 Pro version, you can now rewire ACID to SONAR and use it's superior loop explorer & media manager to find, audition and use any loop (audio or midi), in a matter of seconds, while synced to SONAR. Works like a charm.

ORIGINAL: Somerset

By the way, all of the things you mentioned are already set up before invoking the "Import MIDI" dialogue box. First I set up a drum synth, then I assign a MIDI channel to it, and then from that MIDI channel I select "Import MIDI". Pressing the "Play" button on the Import dialogue box could work - although it doesn't seem to. Without needing any more definition, I just hit "Open" and the loop will play straight away, after importing.

Exactly what I mean! Until it is imported, it seems like Sonar just can't apply the assignments. Sonar is set up, but you can't access the sequencer until you import.

Brian

ORIGINAL: Billy Buck

One of the best apps I have seen that deals with auditioning and playing midi loops is ACID Pro 4/5. It uses the exact same paradigm for using audio loops.
You use the same Loop Explorer to audition both midi & audio loops, drag & drop to the timeline and then roll them out (paint), with the pencil or paint tool.
It is easy, quick & seamless. It just takes too long to audtion midi loops in SONAR. In the amount of time it would take to audition one midi loop, during live playback, in SONAR, I could already have gone through scores of midi loops, directly from the Loop Explorer, in complete tempo sync, in ACID. What is nice now, is that with the new ACID 5 Pro version, you can now rewire ACID to SONAR and use it's superior loop explorer & media manager to find, audition and use any loop (audio or midi), in a matter of seconds, while synced to SONAR. Works like a charm.

Thanks Billy,

I'll check out ACID. Sounds like the way to go. I haven't seen anything else that works this way. Maybe a future upgrade to Sonar or P5 will fix it.

Cliff

ORIGINAL: Stone House Studios

Exactly what I mean! Until it is imported, it seems like Sonar just can't apply the assignments. Sonar is set up, but you can't access the sequencer until you import.

Brian

The thing that confused me here is the "Play" button on the Import MIDI dialogue. It doesn't appear to do anything.

Thanks guys for your responses.

Cliff