X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers

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joegab
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2012/10/09 04:45:11 (permalink)

X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers

Hello,
 
compared to previous Sonar versions, I saw that there is no a "rebuild layers" option in X2.
 
I used a lot, in particular when recording takes (I usually need 2 lanes, not a lot of lanes.... and after recording I like to "reorder" everything without having a lot of lanes).
 
Does not people think that a rebuild layers option should be useful???
 
Tks,
 
Giorgio
#1

24 Replies Related Threads

    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 04:54:12 (permalink)
    I'm all for a rebuild option but not how it was previously implimented. It seemed to me to be a "rearrange into some random order" feature to me.

    It certainly wasn't the order they were recorded in, IIRC it was actually based on clip length or something equally irrelevant (to me).

    I think a re-ordering feature with some sort of user control and options would be great.
    #2
    Silicon Audio
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 05:14:51 (permalink)
    You can drag the lanes around to rearrange them however you please. Between that and the fact you can delete any you don't need and actually drag clips between lanes, I think we can already do everything we need - can't we?

    "One of the great and beautiful things about music and recordings in general is that legacies live on" - Billy Arnell - April 15 2012
    #3
    Noisy Neighbour
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 05:28:50 (permalink)


    #1 for rebuild and remove empty lanes/layers...laners ;). I really had the hang of it in X1. Great option, bouncing multiple clips and than just remove the empty layers. Also the clip envelopes are kind of confusing. After editing, clicking on "clips" some of them turn into ghosted data like expected, some stay active (colored). Only if I close Lanes and click on "clips" in the track header the still active ones become ghosted. I don't see a clear concept here...beats me... 

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    fireberd
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 06:27:30 (permalink)
    I'm still trying to figure out how to combine and/or replace using take lanes. I've only used it a couple of times but haven't had much luck figuring it out. I've looked at various videos on X2 and they talk about MIDI take lanes but even those are not clear. Everything I do is "analog" not MIDI.

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    #5
    RodC
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 12:20:06 (permalink)
    I use rebuild a lot as well.  Take lanes replacing layers is looking more and more like a deal breaker for me and X2.

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    stickman393
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 14:33:03 (permalink)
    Rebuild Layers was a complete kludge to get around the deficiencies of layers. For a start, it was pretty random itself as to how it repositioned clips. I used it a lot in 8.5.3, but I think in X2, with Take Lanes, the whole problem goes away.

    Yes, you'll have to change your way of working slightly, but in my opinion, we'll be better off.

    I know people told me similar things about X1, and I basically said, "no way, don't tell me to change my process, I'm sticking with 8.5.3, then", so I know this is a very subjective thing. You're certainly within your rights to call this a deal-breaker and not upgrade.


    #7
    Keni
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 14:41:35 (permalink)
    Noisy Neighbour


    #1 for rebuild and remove empty lanes/layers...laners ;). I really had the hang of it in X1. Great option, bouncing multiple clips and than just remove the empty layers. Also the clip envelopes are kind of confusing. After editing, clicking on "clips" some of them turn into ghosted data like expected, some stay active (colored). Only if I close Lanes and click on "clips" in the track header the still active ones become ghosted. I don't see a clear concept here...beats me... 


    Me too! I've been working with those tools regularly since we got 'em and tho I frequently had to make some adjustments due to it's strange priorities, it still saved me a lot more time than it cost me...

    On to the feature request to plea...

    http://www.cakewalk.com/S.port/FeatureRequest.aspx

    ...anybody else?

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    #8
    fooman
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 14:48:45 (permalink)
    I would love someone who works in audio material (not midi clips, but more continuous audio material such as multi-miced drums, guitar cabs, etc) to give a video tutorial on how to efficiently use track-lanes. I tried, but it seemed like a hassle.
    #9
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 15:02:41 (permalink)
    fooman


    I would love someone who works in audio material (not midi clips, but more continuous audio material such as multi-miced drums, guitar cabs, etc) to give a video tutorial on how to efficiently use track-lanes. I tried, but it seemed like a hassle.

    What exactly do you want to know? If you are talking about comping there is a chapter on that in my X2 video, although on a single audio track the only difference between that and a multi tracked comp is the clips are clip grouped for multi track editing. Once grouped, editing one group member affects them all so it really wouldn't look any different even if the demonstration was changed, other than it'd be zoomed out to show multiple tracks, the edit is still done on only one track though.
     
    There's also a similar video on my youtube page and although that is using layers in principal there is no difference in the method, obviously you'll see the old solo and mute buttons rather than the new ones though. The tools and method are the same.
     
    That video is HERE.
     
    Again that is using a single track but I use exactly the same method for multi tracks, usually on multi Mic'd acoustic guitar. Again the clips are clip grouped which is usually set up at the recording stage but can just as easily be sorted out after recording.
     
    HTH
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    fireberd
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 15:04:46 (permalink)
    I did a second vocal take, using a take lane.  After the vocal was laid down, I saved the project before doing anything else.  The new vocal track was there.  I then deleted the original vocal track and closed the take lane which put the new vocal track in the main track.  I then saved it.  That was this past Friday.  I opened the project to work on it today, the vocal track data was visible but no vocal.  I tried several things inclucing bouncing to a new track and the new track was empty.  Fortunately I had a backup project file with a good vocal track on it (by dumb luck) I was able to export that to a file and then import it into a new track in the project. 

    I have no idea what went wrong.  I looked at the Audio data for that project and there was no voice wav, just wav's for the other tracks (e.g. bass, drums, etc). 

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    #11
    fooman
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 15:35:16 (permalink)
    FastBikerBoy


    fooman


    I would love someone who works in audio material (not midi clips, but more continuous audio material such as multi-miced drums, guitar cabs, etc) to give a video tutorial on how to efficiently use track-lanes. I tried, but it seemed like a hassle.

    What exactly do you want to know? If you are talking about comping there is a chapter on that in my X2 video, although on a single audio track the only difference between that and a multi tracked comp is the clips are clip grouped for multi track editing. Once grouped, editing one group member affects them all so it really wouldn't look any different even if the demonstration was changed, other than it'd be zoomed out to show multiple tracks, the edit is still done on only one track though.
     
    There's also a similar video on my youtube page and although that is using layers in principal there is no difference in the method, obviously you'll see the old solo and mute buttons rather than the new ones though. The tools and method are the same.
     
    That video is HERE.
     
    Again that is using a single track but I use exactly the same method for multi tracks, usually on multi Mic'd acoustic guitar. Again the clips are clip grouped which is usually set up at the recording stage but can just as easily be sorted out after recording.
     
    HTH
    This is all well and good.  I have seen your example videos.
    However you show how to use the mute tool and do things based on a specific split- or mute-point.  How do you use crossfades efficiently in X2?  How do you fold a track (hide all lanes and view the actual track only.  No lanes), and not see all of the muted clips?  The tracks often end up being seen as a collage when folded rather than a finished product.  I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm probably just missing a key piece of workflow or knowledge.

    Seems like a small issue to some, but if you are taking visual cues on your automation (for example) based off a track that has muted clips showing rather than what's actually being heard, it's harder to work.  Unless you guys are creating a composite take lane at the top and putting all active clips up there...?



    I guess my main point is that I use crossfades... a lot.  I never use the Mute tool.  I slice and fade.
    #12
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 15:46:13 (permalink)
    That's exactly what the "split and fade clips" method does although that is in the X2 video, not on my youtube page.

    If you don't have the video.... basically, split the clips at the points where you want a cross fade and then select the clips you want to use (or delete the ones you don't and select all of the remainder) then select the "Fade clips" command from the Track View-->Clips menu.
     
    There you can set the parameters required for the cross fades and apply.
     
    That will create overlapped fade in and out envelopes on the start/end of each clip, and while not on top of each other as the clips remain in their own lanes they are cross faded into each other.

    Of course bouncing them down to clip will make one full clip or closing lanes will move them all into the main track lane while still maintaining them as separate clips.

    HTH

    #13
    bladetragic
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 16:08:43 (permalink)
    Definitely need some sort of rebuild option. Also there's an issue when clips overlap on a track or lane and whatever you do effects the overlapping clip and you can't deal w/ them individually.
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    fooman
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 16:08:47 (permalink)
    Yes I ran across that option in my lil' journey as well.  However, I then realized I had to work through another popup menu of options and settings to get a simple crossfade, rather than having it down with a slip-edit.

    How about the 'muted clips being shown on top' thing I brought up?  If the take I want to use is on lane 5 except for a small section of music I use in Lane 2, the folded track shows muted clips because the top layers show through. Some may say "move the most-used lane to the top".  That's cool, but for any clips that are muted in that lane, you still see the mutes.

    To me it just seems a bit un-intuitive. Your vids are great BTW.


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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 16:23:46 (permalink)
    fooman


    Yes I ran across that option in my lil' journey as well.  However, I then realized I had to work through another popup menu of options and settings to get a simple crossfade, rather than having it down with a slip-edit.

    Once you've got the fades set up how you want them then check the "Only show if pressing Shift" option. Selecting the command then will apply it unless you hold shift down in which case you can access the options, that may help a little.

    How about the 'muted clips being shown on top' thing I brought up?  If the take I want to use is on lane 5 except for a small section of music I use in Lane 2, the folded track shows muted clips because the top layers show through. Some may say "move the most-used lane to the top".  That's cool, but for any clips that are muted in that lane, you still see the mutes.

    AFAIK there is no easy way round that especially when comping but personally I tend to bounce to track once I've finished then archive and hide the original track in case I need it again so it's not a huge issue for me personally. I can see it'd be a pain if you work differently though. Feature request maybe? Were layers (once collapsed) any different regarding what was shown? I wouldn't notice because of my work method.

    To me it just seems a bit un-intuitive.

    Yes I agree.

    Your vids are great BTW.

    Thank you



    #16
    fooman
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 16:47:24 (permalink)

    To be honest, track layers were easier ONLY because they were more compact by design.. so shift-moving them vertically was a super easy way to get them to get crossfades going and all that.  Once everything was set, I could then click the little option on the top-right of the track GUI to turn off the layers and I saw all of the active clips.

    I do not bounce to clips (to create one solid take) in case the drummer says, for example, I want to use my first take for this section.  After mixing the song, I could then simply do so.. unless I've bounced and gotten rid of things I thought weren't needed.<br />Or better yet, let's use my own shortcoming.  Perhaps my edit between takes wasn't exactly great, if I don't bounce I can do back and fine-tune the edit a tad or edit something so it does work :)

    I think I need to just rethink how I use track lanes.  The composite-lane idea may be cool for now.

    Please excuse my posts if they seem like I'm whining or complaining.  I'm just trying to gain some knowledge so I can work with X2 once the metering bug gets sorted out (different topic for a different thread haha).
    #17
    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 17:18:00 (permalink)
    I'm not sure I'm following exactly what you mean about moving layers around but lanes can be moved up and down as easily as can clips from lane to lane. I don't think there's much of a difference there other than the visual look of the lanes as opposed to layers.

    I could never get the rebuild layers function to do anything other than screw the layers up into some arbitary order that I didn't want (or understand) so I never used it.
    #18
    bladetragic
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 17:42:21 (permalink)

    Honestly track lanes is a good idea in theory but it needs some serious work as of right now.  The behavior is a bit sporadic and unpredictable.  Copying and pasting to lanes and moving clips around to different lanes for instance.  Both of those functions seem to either be "buggy" or either poorly implemented unless I'm missing something.

    Good example just now on a track I'm working on.  Guitar player has several takes.  I wanted to copy all the raw, unedited takes to a different track and archive them just in case I need to come back to them later.  Easy enough in the past but now w/ track lanes I feel like I'm working on a rubix cube b/c I can't simply copy and paste or move things w/o weird things happening.

    I tried just simply holding ctrl and dragging to copy and now I'm getting this weird behavior where when I move a clip to a newly created take lane (Take Lane 5 in this case)  it is also moving the clip from Take Lane 1 to the new take lane along w/ the original clip that I was trying to copy there in the first place.  So now I have two overlapping clips in the new take lane.  Now that refers back to the issue in my post above w/ overlapping clips.  Because of that I can't simply drag the clip back to Take Lane 1 where it was originally b/c it's dragging pieces of the overlapping clip along w/ it.  Very frustrating.
    #19
    fooman
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 22:54:32 (permalink)
    Yes bladetragic! I also experienced that!! I totally forgot.

    It was odd. I'd move the unused clips to archived tracks "just in case", and I'd end up with an extra clip. I didn't bother trying to figure out exactly what was up because at that point I said "screw it" and went back to X1
    #20
    Silicon Audio
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/09 23:13:31 (permalink)
    Yeah, I wish we could have a decisive way to Z-order the layers. I also really, really wish there was a way to hide individual layers. When I've decided which layers I'm using, I wish I could hide the others without deleting the underlying audio. This alone would improve my work-flow a lot.

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    stevec
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/10 00:57:34 (permalink)
    When I've decided which layers I'm using, I wish I could hide the others without deleting the underlying audio. This alone would improve my work-flow a lot.

     
    I really like that idea...
     

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    bvideo
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    Re:X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2012/10/10 10:01:54 (permalink)
    Comments from early X2 experience: http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=2671893 (summary: rebuild wanted)
    #23
    therealeben
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    Re: X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2017/05/11 18:37:54 (permalink)
    Absolutely hate lanes. I want to see all my takes on one track, not 47 different tracks. Not an improvement. Think I'll regress back to X1.
    #24
    stickman393
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    Re: X2 - Take lanes - rebuild layers 2017/05/12 17:21:02 (permalink)
    therealeben -
     
    The new comping enhancements in January 2017 including "reuse take lanes" which pretty much eliminated the need for a "rebuild take lanes" function. Check it out if you haven't already.
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