Quantizing Note Durations

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konradh
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2011/05/12 23:31:35 (permalink)

Quantizing Note Durations

Not a big deal, but X1's quantize defaults to Note Durations Off--in other words, the default is to correct the MIDI note start times but not the note ends, which I find musically un-useful.  Of course, I can check the box each time, but I sometimes forget and have to redo things.

How can I change this default?  I don't see it in preferences.  I know this was different in my older version.

Thanks.
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    kelsoz
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/12 23:39:53 (permalink)
    I don't think the default changeable, and my recollection is that it has always been this way.  I believe that because I have always started a quantize session with the default, and at some point I sometimes want to quantize the durations as well, so I (and you) need to click.

    kelsoz

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    konradh
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 00:36:46 (permalink)
    By the way, your picture reminds me that I have been searching for Switched on Bach CDs and can't find them.  (No idea what happened to my ancient records and cassettes.)  Do you know if these are still published and being produced?  Walter/Wendy was a great influence on me musically.  Wachet Auf, the Brandenburg, and Sheep May Safely Graze are masterpieces.

    And here's one for you:  Have you ever heard "Poeme Electronique," by Edgar Varese?  My parents had that record for some random reason--not their style at all--and I nearly wore out the groove.  It blazed the trail for Switched on Bach technically.


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    brundlefly
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 02:53:11 (permalink)
    the default is to correct the MIDI note start times but not the note ends, which I find musically un-useful. 



    That's interesting. I would say exactly the opposite. Quantizing durations will have a distinctly unmusical effect on most live performances. Durations are where a large part of the feel of a musical phrase comes from. Quantizing durations will squash the life out of a phrase much faster than quantizing start times.


    Next in line after static dynamics, a lack of natural (and complementary) variation in durations is the primary cause of the dreaded "robotic" feel of step-entered music - much more so than hard-quantized start times.


    I never quantize durations.





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    kelsoz
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 08:43:06 (permalink)
    First - to brundlefly - I agree - but sometimes when do intricate work, or preparing a track for scoring it is needed to quantize both start and duration.

    and konradh - I have the vinyl (bought when just released) and CD of SOB, and also SOB 2000.  I just did a quick check and found no CD except for ~$200.  A mystery.  My avatar is actually an alternative cover photo.  On the real cover the master was standing.
    post edited by kelsoz - 2011/05/13 08:48:24

    kelsoz

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    brundlefly
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 10:56:39 (permalink)
    preparing a track for scoring it is needed to quantize both start and duration



    That's one time I might quantize durations, though I usually find it's not necessary, and I would only do it on a copy of the live performance. To me, notation is inherently "unmusical" precisely for that reason; it takes a musician to interpret the "quantized" notation, and breath musical life into it.
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    kelsoz
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 11:27:38 (permalink)
    I don't disagree - I like to arrange midi for real orchestrations and my own piano solos, and all the nuance that that implies.  But those that do a lot of patterns, hip hop, etc. may have a different view.

    And if I wish to make a score for someone to read (even me), I don't want a quarter note to show as a quarter tied to a 32nd.  I say good to be able to quantize both start and duration.

    kelsoz

    Dell Desktop PC / Win7 HomePrem 64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB / 1 TB / E-MU1616 PCI+Realtek PC Audio / Event 6 Pro Monitors / BIAB 2012.5 / Sonar X3c/64 Bld 216
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    brundlefly
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    Re:Quantizing Note Durations 2011/05/13 12:12:05 (permalink)
    I say good to be able to quantize both start and duration.



    Agreed. I just wouldn't ever want it to ever be the default for new projects. I could definitely go for having SONAR remember all the settings I last used in a given project, though. 
    #8
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