• SONAR
  • How to add odd time signature measures at beginning of a project
2014/08/03 17:08:30
jayq
I do a lot of backing tracks and often I'll get a request to add time at the beginning of a track. I need to add odd and alternating time signatures at the beginning of the project. None of the SONAR features do this the way I need them to. I can add measures to the beginning of the project, however when I change the time signature it adds or subtracts total beats, thus putting the audio and markers out of sync. I need a feature such as "insert a 6/4 measure".  I need everything to move over, including audio, midi, and markers. I've tried various cut and paste gymnastics to no avail. Is there a way to do this?
 
Thanks!
2014/08/03 18:08:56
TomHelvey
I think this can be easily done, it just takes a couple steps.
Select all the tracks
Put the now marker at the place you want to insert the 6/4 measure
Project menu -> insert time signature change 6/4
Project menu -> insert measure, make sure all the boxes are checked
Move the now marker to the end of the 6/4 measure
Project menu -> insert time signature change 4/4
 
If you're doing backing tracks, do yourself a favor and start the song at measure 5 instead of measure 1, this allows you to add clicks before the song starts. :)
2014/08/04 10:46:54
sock monkey
"If you're doing backing tracks, do yourself a favor and start the song at measure 5 instead of measure 1, this allows you to add clicks before the song starts. :)"
 
Ook +1 
 
There are lots of reasons to always give a song a little room at the start. I normally leave 2 blank measures. 3rd will be count in. 
After export I open in a wave editor and cut the beginning to about 1/2 measure. 
 
PS, unless your printing sheet music it really doesn't matter much what the time signature is as long as the count in is on the quarter notes. Just use the correct amount for the feel of the song. A 4/4 song will have 4 beats and 6/4 song will have 6.  
2014/08/04 20:11:56
jayq
Thank you for the replies. I edited this response as I did not read your response close enough. I followed your suggestion however the result is the same. I must be missing something so I'll keep trying! 
 
I always add many bars for a count in and general editing space. This time the client decided to add an intro! I sure wish Sonar had the ability to use negative bar numbers and way to designate the "beginning" without using a marker.
I ship my click tracks with 1 accented, so the bars need to line up.  I use the built in metronome to print an audio click. This way I'm sure the click matches. I can use a midi track and adjust the note on beat one but it is a lot of work on tracks that change time frequently. 
2014/08/05 21:51:53
jayq
I tried all kinds of copy/paste operations and measure inserts and time changes. I could not insert a section in my project without skewing the markers or the events, or both.
 
The solution is to start a new project with the new section in place, and then copy the entire existing project and paste it at the end of the new section.
2014/08/06 21:34:58
bapu
jayq
The solution is to start a new project with the new section in place, and then copy the entire existing project and paste it at the end of the new section.


I was just about to suggest this. Just before I read your post. This is tried and true.
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