Re:importing and align projects
2013/03/30 15:29:17
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I've been doing similar for a few months. My stand alone DAW is the Roland VS2480 (I own 3 of them). The features should be similar to the Tascam.
Probably the biggest difference is the Digital Audio transfer interface. I use the M-Audio Light Bridge that can transfer up to 32 tracks of digital audio in one pass.
I'm assuming the "drum machine" was a stand alone machine which you recorded the Analog Audio output into the Tascam. When you recorded the "drum machine", DID YOU SYNC the drum machine and the Tascam via Midi Time Code (MTC) ? Probably not.
IF NOT, this indicates to me that you did not create a TEMPO MAP in your Tascam.
1. First thing you need to do is change the default tempo map (ususally 120) tempo TO the tempo used for the "drum machine". This will change the "tempo grid" on the Tascam.
2. You will need to line up ALL the tracks (including the drum machine tracks) TO the NEW TEMPO MAP in your Tascam. Hopefully (probably not) the "drum machine" played 1 or 2 count-in bars of "stick hits". If you don't have any "count-in" bars, You will need to use the first down beat (FROM point), usually the kik, and move EVERYTHING to BAR 3 : Beat 1 (TO point). This will give you 2 EMPTY BARS at the beginning, which is plenty of time to overcome "Time Code Sync Lag". MAKE SURE that you are moving ALL TRACK at the same time in one move. ASSUMING that the "drum machine" didn't "drift much, every bar marker should now line up to the down beat of the drum track. To check for drift, turn on the Tascam's metronome in playback, solo the drum tracks and press play. If there is any drift, you can hear it. You can't fix the "drift" if any, you'll have to live with it. This is amount your audio content will NOT line up with a grid.
3. Set up Tascam for MTC. The Tascam will be the SLAVE and Sonar will be the master. Go into the Tascam's SYNC page and turn on "Generate MTC". By default, the Frame Rate should be set at 30 fps (Frames Per Second), if not change it to 30fps. Everything else should be fine. Connect the MIDI OUT of the Tascam TO MIDI IN of your computer's MIDI interface AND connect the MIDI IN of the Tascam TO MIDI OUT of your computer's MIDI interface (often your MIDI I/O is on your audio interface unit). On the Tascam, set it to "External Syc", set "current track psition to 0:0:0:0 (hr:min:sec:frame) or Bar 1 Beat 1 and press play. Something should start "blinking" while NOTHING HAPPENS. The Tascam is now ready to start playback as soon as it detects an incoming MTC signal.
4. Sonar seems to work better as the MASTER. With a project open, SET THE TEMPO to the SAME tempo that is on the Tascam. Bring up the SYC MODULE so its visible on the very top of the screem. Turn on the "Generate MTC" button (the one on the far right). Sonar is now ready to send Midi Time Code. Make sure the "Now Time" is at 0:0:0:0.
5. Set up sonar to record. Create as many Audio Tracks as you need. If you can digitally transfer only 1 stereo track at a time, start with the drum tracks. Every time you tranfer another track, start from 0:0:0:0
6. ARM the track, go to 0:0:0:0, PRESS PLAY IN SONAR. A second or two later, Tascam will start to play. This is SYNC LAG. It takes a few seconds for the SYNC to STABILIZE, therefore the 2 empty bars in the Tascam. When the audio starts, the sync should be rock solid.
Do as many passes as required to transfer all your tracks.
When you are done, the Tempo Grid should line up with your audio material.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Ed