Mackie SPIKE/TRACKTION Questions

[hwhalen]

I have a couple of questions, I hope someone might be able to answer.

1. Can S/T record both MIDI and Audio at the same time?

I'm using a Yamaha midi drum controller with pads as my drum instrument. The drum controller is midi connected to a Roland SC, MIDITHRU to the SPIKE midi interface. The Roland SC audio is connected to the Spike audio interface. I'm trying to record both at the same time. Midi records, no audio (so far).

2. What is the best way to ensure accurate timing in the following scenario?

I established time adjust for my for multitrack audio recording by using the 'auto-detect' option on the SPIKE audio input (ASIO) interface. Using the audio drum feed explained above as my reference, I've recorded the drum part as an audio track. This worked well. I've also recorded the MIDI feed which also works. There is a timing difference that I notice, but can't quantify. The timing of the MIDI recording sounds choppy. Not obviously behind or ahead. Hence, the first question.

The result I'm searching for is to be able to create a multitrack MIDI drum part that I can mix. Once the MIDI part is captured with accurate timing, I will use the ncd plugs to split the parts.

[hwhalen]

OK. I'll answer this myself. After many years in the IT field, I've become accustomed to resolving my own issues in any case. YES, you can indeed record both audio and midi using SPIKE/TrackTion.

As far as the second question. I believe that I've found the latency values that I need. Using 'auto-detect', the SPIKE unit (in-out loop) delivers 21.97 ms at the 'lowest latency' setting on my system. Using a Mackie 1202 in the loop appears to generate an increment, taking the value to 26.84 ms. I've succeeded in developing some methods for recording midi drums that can be split to multiple tracks for mixing. I can also continue to use an audio version as a reference in the mix until I'm actually ready to freeze the drum track.

[larsby]

I've succeeded in developing some methods for recording midi drums that can be split to multiple tracks for mixing.

How did you do this? This is extremely interesting.

[hwhalen]

larsby here is one recipe:

Attach the midi drum brain to the SPIKE midi in.
Record the midi drums on a track.
Add two filters to the track. ncd midinote filter & sfz
Copy the track
Duplicate the track for each drum used
Change the midi channel number on each track
Set the midinote filter for each track

Voila multi track midi drums.
You can use sfz to generate audio or remove the sfz plug and send the midi to an external sound unit.
Once the midi drum track is finished you can record each track in an audio format if you want, adding reverb spice & all in the mix.