• SONAR
  • using AudioSnap to quantize
2013/03/17 12:15:03
ChewingAluminumFoil
Trying to figure out what I think is the most basic AudioSnap scenario: quantize an audio performance to existing MIDI and drums.  I've got a tune at a tempo that I have a hard time playing.  Normally I'd just do a million takes until I got into the Zen place where I could stay relaxed, but with AS I though, hey, I can use computers.
 
AS is however turning out to be difficult for me to figure out.
 
Here's what I've got so far.
 
1. In the Track View area there are a series of tabs: View Options Track Layers Clips MIDI V-Vocal. Select View --> Display Vertical Grid Lines --> In Front of Clips. This will display lines to help you line up events. I've read something suggesting that the grid lines will be as granular as your "snap to" settings but I don't see that happening. I only get grid lines on the starts of measures, but that's better than nothing.
 
2. Select the clip you want to work on by left-clicking.  I think you maybe need to select the clip from the bottom half of the clip so that you get the 4-arrow cursor.
 
3. Hit 'A' to bring up the AudioSnap tools.
 
4. Hit 'T' to bring up tools HUD, whatever that is.  From that menu you can now select the Clips dropdown and pick 'Audio Transients'.  This causes the clip to now show where AS is detecting transients.  You might ask "why isn't this part of AudioSnap tools?" and I'd agree.
 
5. Crap crap crap.  When I turned on transients it changed my clip and seems to have quantized to quarter notes.  Haven't figured out how to get it to re-quantize based on new transients or in any way affect the quantization.
 
Ah, but sometimes it re-renders the quantization.  I don't know how I caused it to happen.
 
OK, more later.  Thought I was ready but clearly I'm not done understanding this yet.
 
CAF
 
 
CAF
 
 
2013/03/17 12:40:20
stevec
If you want to quantize an audio track to a MIDI track, I think the appropriate option might be Quantize to Pool.   The Pool in this case would be the timing from the MIDI clip.  It's been a while since I've done this though, so hopefully I'm somewhat on target...  
 
2013/03/17 13:05:17
ChewingAluminumFoil
Part of my problem might be that I'm accreting a lot of AS editing events onto this clip.  If I look at History/Undo/Redo I see lots of actions related to my flailing away at AS.  Is there a way to reset the clip? 

I thought that toggling AS off and back on would do that but apparently it keeps what's already been done and toggles the processing so you can hear where you'd at.  I'd like to completely ditch any previous AS edits so I can start fresh.

CAF
2013/03/17 14:29:14
FastBikerBoy
Is there a way to reset the clip?
 
 
Select all transient markers and the select reset from the context menu. Bounce the clip down and you're back to where you started as if you'd never invoked audiosnap on the clip at all.
 
Skip the bouncing bit if you're happy with the already generated transients.
2013/03/17 15:37:06
garrigus
To reset the clip, right-click the clip background and choose Select Markers > All. Then right-click one of the selected markers and choose Reset.

Now, assuming that SONAR has automatically found the correct transients and also assuming that your existing tracks are in time with the project grid...
1. Click the Quantize button in the Timing section of the AudioSnap palette.
2. Set the Resolution to the smallest note value played in the clip. If there are sixteenth notes and nothing smaller, set the Resolution to 1/16.
3. Make sure the AudioSnap Beats option is activated and all other options are not.
4. If you want perfect quantization, then leave the default values for Strength, Swing, Window, and Offset.
5. Click OK.

If that doesn't work, then things get more complicated.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
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2013/03/17 23:05:57
ChewingAluminumFoil
Thanks, folks, Garrigus in particular. I think I'm starting to get it.  I'm doing the reverse, copying the track before I start working with AS. 

It takes a bit to conceptualize when AS is doing what.  I think I get now that I spend a fair amount of time getting the transient events on/off that I need.  Then I run a quantize pass.  If I quantize again, do you think it works from the original, or is it like MIDI quantize where once you've quantized to 1/8 you can never get 1/16 back? 

Out of abject paranoia right now I'm undoing after every quantize test after auditioning.  But it would be fun to not have to remember to do that.

Again, once I really think I have this I'll post detailed instructions like I apparently needed.

CAF
2013/03/17 23:23:54
swamptooth
i think what you're looking to do is highlight the audio, then hit a to bring up audio snap.  turn as on then immediately to the right of the power button is the "copy to midi button".  click that. then, select the midi clip you need to manipulate. click process/groove quantize and "clipboard" should show up in the groove file dropdown.  adjust settings as needed and select ok.

EDIT - oops, sorry misread - thought you were trying to quantize midi to audio.  MY BAD! >_<
2013/03/18 00:56:14
ChewingAluminumFoil
OK, I'm getting it.  I certainly see folks concerns about the audio being warbly.  But luckily I kinda like it.  I was going to add some effects anyhow but even with the offline render it's got a nice swirl.
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