How to make a click track?

[Lane]

Whats the easiest way to make a click track? Im using ntracks, which has a metronome that can do it, but its clumsy.... drum machine or ? Where do I find what I need?

Thanks

 

[matt_macfarlane]

for click tracks, i like to use the fake conga sound which can be found on a lot of old Casio keyboards from the 80's and the like. drum machines from that time period have them too. they work really well because they have a fat bottom tone (almost like a kick, but not quite, good for keeping time on the 1), a lot of midrange (so they punch through most other sounds), and are artificial-sounding enough that you don't get them confused with any instruments you'd actually PLAY over them.

i have found a good program containing such sounds called "BBox," which is a dinky little shareware beat creating program for Windows. you just enter in your BPM (beats per minute), dial in the sounds you want over 16 steps (or 12 if you want 3/4, actually i think you can put in whatever time sig you want), and render it as a short .wav file perfect for looping. it's good to start each bar with the "conga lo" sound, and the "conga hi" sound makes a good offbeat. i wouldn't make it much more elaborate than that, unless you're planning on including this cheesy sound into the finished recording.

unfortunately, i don't remember where i got this program, try www.hitsquad.com and look for drum synthesizing programs. i guarantee none of them will have publishable sounds, but MOST of them will make fine click tracks.

 

[MadAudio]

I have a click track loop that I made with Acid and my SR16 drum machine. It uses a cowbell on quarter notes and a shaker on the eighths.

But sometimes I'll just use a drum loop for a more natural feel.

 

[scrubs]

I have a click track loop that I made with Acidand my SR16 drum machine. It uses a cowbell on quarter notes and a shaker on the eighths.

But sometimes I'll just use a drum loop for a more natural feel.

Oh, Ooooh....So tempted to make a cowbell joke.





















But I won't.

 

[Lane]

Well.... I'm kinda green to this part and I don't have a clue how to make loops, so I'm just looking for a straightforward way to get a click track - though I'd prob like to know how to generate a drum track......

I'll look around for BBox and check out hitsquad - other suggestions?

 

[ndycus1]

you could check out fruity loops....it's relatively simple. you could either buy it for i think $99 dollars, or, the website normally has a demo version available. in the demo, the only thing that you can't do is save. so if it is just for a click track, it should work well. just export the file to an mp3 or a wav and then import it into your DAW.

 

[Toker41]

I use N-track. Great program. Have you upgraded to N-track 4 yet? Really takes it up a level. If you want, check out the song "Hopes Fading" at this link:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2878&alid=-1

This is the first song I've finished on N-track (feel free to leave a review at the site). Gotta say...love the program, love the price.

Anyway....
I'm assuming you understand midi basics, so....

I also find that the click on N-track needs some work. I set the time on the program, but set N-track to send a play signal via midi, then midi it out to my Roland TD10 drum module, which I also set the time on. The TD10 only receives the "start" signal from N-track and the time is independent from N-track (although set to the same time). Then I record the audio signal from the TD10 click onto a track (sometimes 2,) in N-track. I use this audio track as my click.

Seems clicks in software can glitch once in awhile. The track is never changing. So set the time on the N-track click, but don't use it. Sync the N-track start to an out board source (keyboard, drum machine, softsynth) and use that source to record an audio click to a track.

 

[Lane]

Thanks for the great info.

I have not upgraded to 4.0 - should I? I do like ntracks, its the only one I've come close to being able to get a decent recording with, if only I could figure out how to create some kind of rythm track so others can sync with my recording.

Couldn't get your song to play, BTW, would like to hear it.

No, I'm not midi literate - only know a little and I dont' have an outboard box or drum module to go to. I do get the idea of what your'e explaining though....Also - I don't necessarily need "clicks"... just some kind of rythm that I can play to to keep me on the beat....

Checking out fruity loops - maybe that will do it...

Thanks

 

[Toker41]

Fruity loops should do it.

As far as the song...
Click on the "hi-fi" play button.

 

[Lane]

Thanks again, Toker

I'm reading the FL documentation - looks like I may be able to figure it out. I'd just find a sound I like, create it there and record it to a track - is that right?

I tried the Hi-Fi button too.. .I get an invalid data error - maybe theres a server prob?

 

[timmerman]

Composing your own rhythm tracks

- I don't necessarily need "clicks"... just some kind of rythm that I can play to to keep me on the beat..... as mentioned by LANE----> heh, something went wrong with my quote cursor, so had to do it manually, sorry man!

I do not know what medium you are using to record on, probably computer right?

Well here are some ideas about making your OWN rhyhm tracks, but remember I just use tape and have only four tracks available, so all their limitations have gotten me into how I approach things:

I use a metronome, and mainly use this as a guide for the recording of the first ininitial track. Then I will start making my own rhythm track which I compose from percussion sounds out of an old DX 7, along side I use real percussion. So I will compose each part of the rhythm track individually. Downfall with all of this is that you have to play every beat, so you have to stay in time, nothing computerized here, but it will make you a better musician. Also it takes a lot of time, and you will learn so much more about rhythms and about what works and what not. All in all this cannot be a bad thing in itself eh?

Advantage is that your rhymtracks sound much more individual than any presets or computerprogramme you will use. But he, it all depends on what kind of sound you are after eh?

Cheers,

Eddie

 

[xbrianx]

THE SMARTEST WAY TO SETUP A CLICK TRACK IS AS FOLLOWS:
Step 1 - Buy a metronome
Step 2 - Insert the batteries, turn it on & set the speed
Step 3 - Hit Record

Since I got PTLE 6.7 however I have just been using the click track in there but I also have a metronome to use for practicing, etc. Buy one.

 

[deepwater]

A use a set of Deer antlers off of a Deer that I killed a few yeas ago and record myself clanking them together through my U87 for one measure and then loop it. It turns my wife on for some reason










No. I use an external metronome.