FR: Size option when creating new clips

[fromwithin]

I just had what I think is a good idea...

When creating a new clip, you drag the [+] into a track and a menu appears asking which type of clip you want. While this menu is on-screen, I would like to be able to press a number on the keyboard to set the size of the clip in bars.

So I drag onto the track, I press 4 on the keyboard and the clip template box resizes to 4 bars. then I choose "Insert new MIDI clip" and lo, a 4-bar empty MIDI clip appears.

Keys 1-9 could set the size in bars (obviously up to a maximum of 9 bars in length), key 0 could set the size to the current visible width of the display.

To go even further, + and - could increase or decrease the size of the clip template.

[spoontechnique]

I've experienced a similar issue using the "insert midi/step clip" shortcut. The clips are often very large and I don't know how to control the size.

[Stuttaton]

If you press G, a clip will be created within the in- and out markers. By setting these, you can get a clip with the right length.

If you already have clips of the desired length, you can press A while a clip is selected, to set the in- and out markers to the length of an existing clip. Then you just press G while a track is selected.

[fromwithin]

Setting the markers to size a new clip is a terribly inefficient way to do it; more so than manually resizing the massive clip that gets added by default.

The idea of using the shortcut to set the markers around an existing clip is a good one, but is still a pain that doesn't need to exist.

I'd even settle for a parameter in the options for "Default clip length...". I really dislike that a lot of interface metrics in Tracktion are based around the current zoom level and window width rather than explicit time / length.

[Stuttaton]

Setting the markers to size a new clip is a terribly inefficient way to do it; more so than manually resizing the massive clip that gets added by default.

I don't agree. I think it's very convenient, since I normally want to create clips that are the length of the musical passage that I'm working on. For instance, a verse or a chorus.
I start with making a marker with the desired length, make a chord progression and after that create clips for melody, bass etc.
By selecting the marker, pressing A and then select tracks where I press G, I have my clips with the correct length and position.

[spoontechnique]

As an additional issue, I find it a bit annoying that you have to fully select the track (by clicking on the side) to insert a clip. Everywhere else, Waveform knows based on your cursor position or clicking the track in the timeline.

[fromwithin]

Setting the markers to size a new clip is a terribly inefficient way to do it; more so than manually resizing the massive clip that gets added by default.

I don't agree. I think it's very convenient, since I normally want to create clips that are the length of the musical passage that I'm working on. For instance, a verse or a chorus.

And I almost always want to start with a 2-bar sections that I can loop, copy, or expand later. Everybody has different ways of working, but the differences can usually be catered for. For me, and no doubt countless others, it's decidedly inconvenient.

[Stuttaton]

And I almost always want to start with a 2-bar sections that I can loop, copy, or expand later. Everybody has different ways of working, but the differences can usually be catered for. For me, and no doubt countless others, it's decidedly inconvenient.

Well, if you're going to do a two bar drum pattern, you will most certainly want to loop it in playback, while you work on it, so you will want to set the in- and out markers around a two bar section anyway.

[fromwithin]

Well, if you're going to do a two bar drum pattern, you will most certainly want to loop it in playback, while you work on it, so you will want to set the in- and out markers around a two bar section anyway.

Not at all. I rarely ever use looping. I have what I want in my head, I draw it in, I press the L at the top of the clip.