Click tracks.....and more

[Ziggy13]

This should be in the NEWBIE area of life, but I have some questions with my Layla20 !
I need to add a click track using Cakewalk.....
I have been using CW 9 for a few months ( voice overs / jingles )
But, now "they" want to get into some more serious recordings...
I dont want to loose faith in my abilities to understand CW, but.... with no click track we are chasing the measures around looking for a real start time. I know there has to be an easy way to get this done, but HOW !
Do you guys know of any " stupid Cakewalk questions " areas to go to where I can get past some of the dumb stumbling blocks, and get to the fun stuff?
Help me out if you can, anyone using the same setup want to help????? Anyone?????
click....click....click....

[Emeric]

I'm not familier with Cakewalk, but it probably has a built in metronome of some type, must multitrackers do.

However, I've never liked any of the built in ones that I've used.

An alternative is to use a program like www.fruityloops.com , create your click track with this using a sharp, short percusive sound, like a woodblock or such (whatever works). Make this looping file the length of the song (or just create one that's 7 minutes long, that way you can use it as a 'template' for other songs just by changing the BPM). Export the file as a wav. Reimport the wav file to a track in Cakewalk. This way you have easier control over volume of the click, and you don't have to mess with weird characteristics of the built in ones.

For $50 it's a good program. There are others freeware ones on the internet - do a search for drum synths, or drum software. I think Hammerhead is freeware.

[Ziggy13]

Sory I haven't had a chance to reply to you, I have been swamped with work, 4 kids and the studio. I have been limited on my time. Thanks again! That was an easy solution.