Midi timing problem, techno song doesn't groove

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BeyondMusic

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I've been writing techno/dance songs under Cakewalk Sonar yet the beat doesn't seem to groove as it should. The timing doesn't sound dead on with a rock solid straight feel even though it's completely quantized. I've tried groove quantize with a 'pushing feel' on the drums and bass track and it helps a bit, but would rather not have to do this.

Anyone else have this problem? Is there too much MIDI information being sent and does this cause very slight timing delays?

Is this why premade drum loops sound so much more solid, because they are recorded when other midi stuff isn't in the way??

My computer should be fast enough: Athlon XP 1600+, 256mb 2400 DDR Ram, MIDIMAN USB midi interface, Korg Trinity Rack.

Please help.
Thanks!
 
Rock-solid quantized tempos don't often "groove." Sounds like you are after a more organic feel. Not much you can do other than play with the timing -- different strengths of groove quantizing, swing, etc. Or use loops played by players with good feel. Or become a player with good feel yourself.
 
Grooving

By "groove" I don't mean necessary a shuffle-beat or something with a non-straight feel, I just mean that the beat doesn't sound as rock solid as other techno stuff I've heard. Could this be too many MIDI events taking place at once??
 
You might try shifting the tracks a little bit forward or backward to get thing to line up better.

The problem with quantization is that many sounds take a few miliseconds or longer to really peak and if they start dead on the beat then they will peak a little late and screw up the feel.

Move your bass and any synth/string type sounds to happen a few miliseconds earlier and see if that helps.
 
Cool I'll try that

I'll try this, hopefully it will help. Does anyone else use this technique to line up midi notes?
 
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