metronome - echo but don't record?

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guttadaj

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Howdy, Cakeys.

A little bit of exciting news first ... I'm a Cool Kid now! :cool: ACKUS - Yeah, baby! Just upgraded from HS2002 to Sonar 2.2 - I was sick of being a 2nd class citizen and not having all functionality available to me. ;)

Now a quick question. I would like to use the MIDI metronome while recording MIDI parts, but then I always seem to have the metronome notes recorded as part of my MIDI track. Obviously, not cool. Is there a way to set up the metronome to be on a specific MIDI channel and not get recorded? I've tried playing around with the Echo and Record MIDI channels settings, but that just turns off the metronome -- I think I'm looking for the Echo and the Record settings split apart somewhere, so I could just echo a channel but not record it.

I've read some stuff on how you can record a metronome track and play it with a DXi, but I'm just wondering if I can do what I'm trying to do?

Thanks!
-Jeff :)
 
It's easier if you use two different port of MIDI.

One for metronome (eg. DXi VSC, channel 10). And other as the one you want to record...

Go Options --> Project --> metronome tab, ad adjust your metronome property...

On Record and Echo MIDI channel, check all, and Echo mode to auto, Local on port 0...

Hope it helps
;)
 

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There is also a very inexpensive DXi called Ping DXi that provides metronome functions. It allows you to have a metronome without having to use an external MIDI synth. More info at:
http://www.rmnorman.com/PingDXi/PingDXi.html

Best regards,
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of Cakewalk, Sound Forge and Sound Forge 6, SONAR and SONAR 2 Power! books; Publisher of DigiFreq. Win a free copy of PowerFX's Dyad DXi software synth and learn more cool music technology tips and techniques by getting a FREE subscription to DigiFreq... over 14,000 readers can't be wrong! Go to:
http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/
 
Thanks, James and Scott, for your help! :)

James - that makes sense. I'm gonna try that. I'll just have to set up another MIDI channel in addition to channel 10 to go to MIDI General Drums, so that I can set the metronome to use that channel when I'm recording drums, which I like to keep on channel 10 out of habit and for consistency.

Scott - that DXi looks pretty cool if you don't have (or want to use for whatever reason) a MIDI synth. And the price is nice at $10. Thanks for the link. I'll stick it out with SONAR's metronome, though. (By the way, I read your "SONAR 2 Power" book - it was a very enjoyable experience. Well, I was on vacation by the pool in Puerto Rico... but I'm sure it would have been good anywhere ;) :D)

Thanks!
-Jeff
 
guttadaj, here we go...

Options--> Project --> Metronome tab will only let you select either MIDI port listed in Options--> MIDI Devices --> MIDI Output :)

So, since DXi technology is NOT designed to be listed in Options--> MIDI Devices --> MIDI Output, no DXi port will be allowed to be selected in Options --> Project --> metronome tab.

So, how can I use DXi as metronome, Jaymz ?

Basicaly, you have two options for having MIDI metronome with SONAR. First method is by using SONAR's metronome (Options--> Project --> Metronome tab) which doesn't require any dedicated MIDI track, and second method is by sequencing particular note(s) in specific track (usualy snare, cowbell, etc..) for certain measure to generate MIDI metronome. By using DXi, you'll be forced to take the second method.

How ? Can you explain it in plain english Jaymz ?

For example, insert EDIROL VSC DXi. You'll be given at least one audio track (where the DXi is ported) and one MIDI track (which ported to the audio track). In that MIDI track, Select channel 10, bank Drums, patch Standard Kit. Go Piano Roll, and insert "snare" note for each beat (don't forget to run your Audio Engine to make some audition). If your song is 4/4, then you'll have 4 notes of snare for each beat in a measure. Copy and paste the measure to fit the length of the song. Here's the tricky part. You'll have to ensure to copy the whole measure, NOT just selection betwen first note & last note of the measure. Then paste it to the next measure, with "Align To Measure" is checked on the paste dialog box.

Now, you have note for every beat in the measure of your song's length. Every of which is lined to the beat, and act as a metronome.

Now, prepare your -MIDI track to be recorded-. Make some adjustment as you like (select port, channel, bank, patch, etc). Select MIDI Omni as recording input, Arm it, and record as you like :)

Be back here if you have question :)

;)
Jaymz

...please consider Pre-ordering Homerecording.Comp CD's Vol 2 :)
 
Hi Jeff,

Thanks so much! I'm really happy to hear that you're enjoying Sonar 2 Power. Hey, reading it while on vacation just goes to show it's not just for studio use. :)

I hope you were able to get a lot of great info from the book, and you're enjoying the overall Sonar experience. :)

Best regards,
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of Cakewalk, Sound Forge and Sound Forge 6, SONAR and SONAR 2 Power! books; Publisher of DigiFreq. Win a free copy of PowerFX's Dyad DXi software synth and learn more cool music technology tips and techniques by getting a FREE subscription to DigiFreq... over 14,000 readers can't be wrong! Go to:
http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/
 
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