How do I record softsynth in Traction w/o recording midi?

[rcat]

Awhile back I tried Traction, but couldn't seem to record a straight wav file from a softsynth without it first recording a midi file. Then I had to convert the midi file to wav. Is this the normal procedure for recording softsynth wav tracks in Traction? If it is, that sucks because sometimes the midi file didn't contain all the info (sounds)that the softsynth preset contained live.

[Lunch Money]

That's not just a Tracktion-specific thing. That's how most sequencers do it.

What would be missing from the MIDI file that the live version had? I can't imagine anything...

If you did some knob-twiddling while recording, don't forget to record VST automation, too (again, same as with any other host).

Finally, if you really truly DO just want to record it as audio, you can put a "Tape-It" plug-in at the end of the 'filter' (plug-in) area and that'll do the trick.

To be honest with you, I can't see why you'd want to record straight audio....

[valley]

I'm not sure what you are trying to do, or why, but if you really *must* record the live output of a vsti then there are plently of freeware audio recorder plugins that you could add to the track.

There is no advantage to recording the live output of a vsti though. If it can be done live, it can be done with MIDI and automation. With the added advantage that you can edit it at any stage.

[Buddah Buddy]

I'd say he meant a more generative type of synth, where every single time you play a certain patch it's different. I cop this in Reaktor sometimes, that's why it's fun though...

[rcat]

So there's no way in Tracktion (and many other sequencers) to get a wav track unless you convert the midi track manually? If this is true, why isn't there an option to have this done automatically? Manual conversion takes time and is a pain in the ass. I really have no patience for screwing around with midi files. If something doesn't come out right the first time I record it, I do it again. I guess I'm just old-fashioned.

[vtx]

the midi file is actually quite handy in case you decide to change a note or 2 when you hear the new tracks around it...

[aMUSEd]

In that case use a host like Energy XT where you can just record the audio without the midi (or you could use it as a plugin inside Tracktion and do the same

[Mephit Blue]

So there's no way in Tracktion (and many other sequencers) to get a wav track unless you convert the midi track manually? If this is true, why isn't there an option to have this done automatically? Manual conversion takes time and is a pain in the ass.

Just select the track you recorded and in the bottom menu select "render". That will render it out to audio. Yes, it is an extra step, but it's not that much to do.

[aMUSEd]

So there's no way in Tracktion (and many other sequencers) to get a wav track unless you convert the midi track manually? If this is true, why isn't there an option to have this done automatically? Manual conversion takes time and is a pain in the ass.

Just select the track you recorded and in the bottom menu select "render". That will render it out to audio. Yes, it is an extra step, but it's not that much to do.

Yes but that doesn't work if you are using a synth that has any degree of randomness about it - then you do need to record straight to wav if you want to capture the exact same peformance as midi information alone will not do the job. That's what I use eXT for (or if it's just a synth like Reaktor you can just record a wav from that anyway)

The other option which I use sometimes is to route the audio from the soundcards mixer back into Tracktion. That way I'm recording a midi and audio version simultaneously. I can do this with my Creamware card easily but I'm not sure if all soundcards would be as flexible (I posted a Creamware/Tracktion setup to enable this sort of routing a while back - and also one for eXT - but it won't work for other cards).

[djsubject]

Tape it

The plug in, or with a tape deck its up to you

But as this thread shows NO you cant do this with tracktion alone but if you search KvR you will find many many FREE vst fx to put after yr vsti in the track & just record it that way



Subject

[Lunch Money]

Regarding the plug-ins with randomness--

I totally agree that you'll never be able to replicate the same thing...

But since it's random, who's to say the next time it's rendered it won't be even better? What I'd do is render the same MIDI track about 5 times, find the parts I like the best, and cross-fade between them.



Even BETTER than recording in realtime.

And if you're doing knob-twiddling and such, as mentioned since the second post of the thread, use the "Tape It" plug-in to capture the performance, as well as making sure your automation record button is enabled for future renders.

Now you have all bases covered... and if you realize that no matter how good your initial performance was, there's a measure where you duffed a bunch of notes, you can always go back and fix'em up, and then just re-render and cross-fade that little section where it's not ideal.

Greg

[rcat]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. These are going to help me experiment and select what feels right for me. Thanks again!

[aMUSEd]

But as this thread shows NO you cant do this with tracktion alone

I can and do - like I said it depends on the routing capabilities of your soundcard

[pHz]

(moved from hosts to raw material software)

[braj]

Can't you just route a midi track's output to an audio track's input, and record audio in realtime like it was an external input? Do you need another plug for this? I do this all the time in Live.