Aligning multiple hits

[iownrocknroll]

I am using pro tools 8 LE.
I have several audio tracks that follow the snare drum.

The snare drum has the proper timing that I want, however I also have a wood block, tambourine and 2 tracks of hand claps that were all recorded to be on time with the snare drum.

for the most part they are on time, but they are still a little loose.

Is there a way a can align all of them? I was thinking beat detective, however I am not sure how to use it to accomplish this.

Any advice?

 

[M10K]

Elastic Audio is probably the "easiest" way, but sometimes sounds can get a little mushy. I usually do it by hand...although it's very time consuming.

I believe there is a how-to video on youtube if you are unsure of how to use Elastic Audio.

 

[pezking]

Did you record to a click track?

 

[iownrocknroll]

yes we recorded to a click.

the recording is pretty tight
I was thinking I could use sound replacer to trigger a sample?

 

[pezking]

Can you not use elastic audio and quantize it?

 

[dodgeaspen]

Can't you just align the tracks by the time signature? I'm not a digital person so I am only asking.

 

[Steenamaroo]

elastic audio is the way forward,,,,unless you're miles out!

 

[iownrocknroll]

I'll look at Elastic audio tonight, THANKS!

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Beat Detective's sole purpose is to do what you asked. I can't imagine a more appropriate tool for that job.

 

[iownrocknroll]

Is there a stype instruction on how to do this in beat detective?

Every time I try and use it all the "hits" get cut apart and nothing shifts to the right place.

I was under the impression I make a "beat guide" then align the other transients to it.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Is there a stype instruction on how to do this in beat detective?

Every time I try and use it all the "hits" get cut apart and nothing shifts to the right place.

I was under the impression I make a "beat guide" then align the other transients to it.

Not sure what a stype instruction is but I'm sure there must be something either on Digi's site or on YouTube.

It a fairly simple process and should only take seconds to re-align.

 

[iownrocknroll]

Ok, maybe I should elaborate.

If I create a Tempo Map using Beat Detective based off of the snare drum(I.E) The snare drum is where I want all the hits to aligh to.
How do I get the other tracks to follow that same Tempo Map.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Ok, maybe I should elaborate.

If I create a Tempo Map using Beat Detective based off of the snare drum(I.E) The snare drum is where I want all the hits to aligh to.
How do I get the other tracks to follow that same Tempo Map.

Naw no need to elaborate! Your situation is VERY common and I know exactly what you're trying to do. Yes you can align any audio to a Beat Detective map although obviously a pad track won't have enough transients to make sense.

I'm not in front of Pro Tools so I can't walk you through this step by step...that said and as I've said before Beat Detective is designed to do exactly what you're asking. It can and will do it convincingly. It's not a particularly difficult plug in nor a difficult concept. It's a very quick process and if you take the time to peruse either Digi's web site or YouTube I'm sure between the two there is some form of visual tutorial. That or you could read the manual although I don't know how well the manual covers the subject.

 

[Steenamaroo]

can you group all the other tracks,,,,turn elastic audio on,, then bring them all inline with the snare???

i think i've understood you?!?!

 

[Joseph Hanna]

can you group all the other tracks,,,,turn elastic audio on,, then bring them all inline with the snare???

i think i've understood you?!?!

Perhaps I'm just getting behind the curve here Can those of you suggesting elastic audio over Beat Detective explain (given the original OP question) how that would or could possibly be more effective??

Inquiring minds and all

 

[Steenamaroo]

in short,,,no..

i'm just suggesting what i use....unfortunately i have no experience with beat detective.....but hey,,,that's why posts get more than one response right?

 

[Joseph Hanna]

in short,,,no..

i'm just suggesting what i use....unfortunately i have no experience with beat detective.....but hey,,,that's why posts get more than one response right?

You're indeed right!

Beat Detective is an amazingly powerful tool. So much so they (Digidesign) for years withheld it as a bonus for moving up to Mix/HD systems. I remember people bitching to the ends of the universe that Digi was evil for making Beat Detective a TDM only plug-in.

Then they make it available to everyone via Le and no one even knows what it is. I guess the old saying "we only want what we can't have" applies here.

Really guys if you haven't taken the time to figure out Beat Detective....you should.

 

[Steenamaroo]

wow,,,didn't know that joseph,,,thanks!!

do you think the same will be said about automatic delay compensation some day???

there's a tool i'd happily take for granted

i've a few sessions on the go at the minute,,,,mite check beat detective out

 

[iownrocknroll]

i do believe automatic delay compinsation would make us all happy.

however with computers getting so much master...

what would be the reason to buy HD????

 

[Joseph Hanna]

i do believe automatic delay compinsation would make us all happy.

however with computers getting so much master...

what would be the reason to buy HD????

A couple of thoughts here.

As to delay compensation. It's a gigantic forum buzz phrase and where there are situations that benefit from delay comp there are equally as many that don't. Of course large sessions, particularly large sessions with mic'd drum kits and poorly conceived plug-in management will tighten noticeable when things are properly aligned. It is certainly not an impossible task to compensate manually with PT LE.

Also be aware that although many manufactures trumpet delay compensation some of the protocols are poorly (at best) implemented. I suspect if you told many Pro Tools LE users that it has delay compensation (even though it doesn't) that would be enough to quell the worries.


As to HD vs LE. There are CLEARLY situations that would be equally served with an LE than an HD system. Those that are doing primarily midi based composition would not see much gain with HD as most if not all samplers and synths are RTAS. I use an HD system for post production BUT I have a quadzilla for my softsynths and it runs RINGS around my G5 HD.

The answer of course to your questions is what is it you need your system to provide.