How can I sync midi to my audio?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rcktdg
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rcktdg

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I am basically using sonar to make my computer into a digital tape deck. I use some plugins and the like but mostly it's just recording audio and that's it. I would like to have the downbeat of my songs be in sync with midi and the tempo to be "slaved" to the audio.

The workflow in my studio is very relaxed and we record nearly constantly when we are in the room. I don't want to use the click to start a song but I would like to be able to go back later and "tell" Sonar where the downbeat is and then go from there. Tempo isn't a problem with my drummer but it's not practical to use a click.

I have another program called Transcribe that allows visually placing measure, beat and section markers over a wave form. You can then calculate bpm from this info. It has no midi component whatsoever. If sonar had this type of capability it would be wonderful.

Is there a way to accomplish this or something similar. I have tried "extract timing" but it seems to do something different. Perhaps I just need it explained better.

Thanks, RD
 
Is the drum 'kick' track on a separate audio track?

I'm pretty sure there is a function in Sonar that will detect 'transient's' ie a Kick drum, and work the tempo off that... I'm at work at the moment and can't check it out but I'm sure that there is an option in there somewhere to do it. I'm sure I have read about it.

Porter
 
Isn't it possible to calculate the BPM on a song?

Count to 4 (as in four beats in one bar) while you measure the time that takes (in seconds). Then

BPM = 4*60/time

(I think, somebody verify this).
 
just a bump.

I haven`t verified, but I have seen that formula you described and asked, before.
I`m waiting to see if anyone has experience using the "extract timing" to align midi with audio.
I have been trying to align a midi drumtrack with an audio drum track. not having a lot of luck. I had to play the new drum track by hand.
 
Toki987 said:
I`m waiting to see if anyone has experience using the "extract timing" to align midi with audio.
Click to expand...

I have never, repeat, NEVER F**KIN' EVER, been able to get that command to work. Good luck. Tell me even how you made the U2 demo work and I will buy you a beer.

I also have a demo version of ACID - I use it's "Beatmapper" function to analyse the file - the drum track and tell me it's tempo. Take the file into Cakewalk - trim it to the first beat - set the tempo to the time ACID's "Beatmapper" said and then align your drum track to a bar.

I have also had success just opening the drum track into the "Groove Clip" window of Sonar 2.2 XL and then throwing guesses at it for the number of bars. If you get this right, it will then tell you the time in which the original beat was recorded.

Once you have this, you can then also use the drum beat as a Groove Clip and tell it to respond to tempo changes.

Good luck, don't go crazy and may the force be with you.

Ciao,

Q.
 
Toki987 said:
I have been trying to align a midi drumtrack with an audio drum track. not having a lot of luck. I had to play the new drum track by hand.
Click to expand...
I would say it's the best sollution (as long as the audio isn't recorded with a click-track playing. Practice playing drums on keyboard... ;)
 
I'm still sure I saw somewhere a feature of Sonar that will pick up the transients signals in an audio file and create a tempo map... I'm sure of it!!!

I'm at work and haven't had a change to check my manuals... could someone please have a look for me?

Porter
 
Yeah it's that "Extract To Timing" thing. Get it to work and win the cigar.

Cya,

Q.
 
Porter, why do you always need to get back to someone because you're at WORK?
I'm starting to think you're a work-a-holic, or you want people to think that you have a JOB!


Trizza
 
I've read a couple of his posts and I don't think it is a coincidence that he "Just happens" to be at work all the time. Could it be one of the following:

1.) He is ashamed that he really don't have a job
2.) He's self-employed and considers himself on the clock 24/7
3.) He doesn't own a pc @ home, so he goes to work just to surf the net
4.) He's never met a question he is afraid to answer, so his stalling technique
is to say "I am at work right now".........SLICK DUDE
5.) He's a bookworm, so he can bullsh*t his responses because he read the manual
50 times. (Still doesen't own a pc @ home


Trizza
 
Trumpspade, is it me or am I sensing that you have a problem with Porter having a job? ;)
 
Trumpspade said:
I've read a couple of his posts and I don't think it is a coincidence that he "Just happens" to be at work all the time. Could it be one of the following:

1.) He is ashamed that he really don't have a job
2.) He's self-employed and considers himself on the clock 24/7
3.) He doesn't own a pc @ home, so he goes to work just to surf the net
4.) He's never met a question he is afraid to answer, so his stalling technique
is to say "I am at work right now".........SLICK DUDE
5.) He's a bookworm, so he can bullsh*t his responses because he read the manual
50 times. (Still doesen't own a pc @ home


Trizza
Click to expand...

FYI... I work to HAVE a living... Plus in my role at work I'm on call to users so I get a lot of free time there to read posts on this place. At home I get time to spend with my lovely wife and record music. :D

Porter (ps, sent from home)
 
RD,

BTW, I do have Sonar at home and the manuals... I looked for Tempo in the manuals and couldn't find anything, so I looked in the Sonar on-line help for peaks and found the answer to what I was talking about before... it is called 'Extracting Timing' and is found on page 327 in the Sonar User's Guide, I just had to prove to myself that I had read it somewhere..

Hope this helps,

Porter
 
Don't let me ruffle your feathers Porter, I was just bored. You know the feeling, at "WORK" with not much to do at all. I have read your posts and must admit that I enjoy your knowledge...




Trizza
 
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