Tracktion Software

pough · Post by **pough** » Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:28 pm

I often loop MIDI clips and when I want to edit them I am presented with not only the section that I can edit but also potentially 30x as many sections that I can't edit. It's counterproductive. So I am requesting that when a looped MIDI clip opens in the MIDI editor it either only shows the editable section or else automatically zooms in on that section.

And while I'm at it, a request for a MIDI event editor. It's the only thing I miss from DAWs I abandoned for Tracktion.

Watchful · Post by **Watchful** » Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:41 pm

I could easily second these requests.

FigBug · Post by **FigBug** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:16 pm

Event editor has been on a backlog for a long time, any DAWs you recommend I look at for 'inspiration'?

pough · Post by **pough** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:41 pm

Not really. The last time I had access to one was Cubase SL back in 2002 and before that Cakewalk in the early 90s. But you seem to be about halfway there with the MIDI Monitor: a big list of all the MIDI events. Add to it the ability to edit/add/delete any of them. Bonus points for a filter (eg. notes only, note range, cc only, ccX only) and column labels.

Extra extra bonus points for a calculated effector, eg. for all notes C2 to C4 increase velocity by 20%.

Here are a couple of case studies, times when I wish I had an event editor.

1. Cleaning out junk. When I import a MIDI file from somewhere it invariably has junk in it. Things like program change and volume or pan settings that aren't necessary with VST and automation and can cause problems. Tracking them down and deleting them (or altering them) in the current MIDI editor is awkward.

2. Finicky numerical and time-sensitive CC. A VST like Plogue's chipspeech receives data on CC2 to set the line of text to sing. It's a very specific number and you want it to fire shortly before the note to set it up correctly. Using the MIDI editor, it's like trying to sign your name on a document with a cup full of ink. This type of data, where it's a single point with a specific value feels more like an even editor kind of thing to me.

I'm not the most advanced DAW user, so there are probably more and better examples of how and when an event editor is useful.

Thank you for taking it into consideration.

astey · Post by **astey** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:51 pm

Deleted

gavindi · Post by **gavindi** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 6:08 pm

Reaper has an event editor. You could have a look at theirs.

FigBug · Post by **FigBug** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:10 pm

Do you think groove should apply to controllers? It currently doesn't.

jabe · Post by **jabe** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 11:46 pm

The first ever software sequencer (ie, just MIDI) I had was called Prism (c.1990, by Magnetic Music) and it allowed the user to list all MIDI events for edit, but to reduce the list to subsets based on any of the parameters, so it could select, for instance, control codes, notes, velocities, including specific notes or ranges of notes.

Changing values within the list was allowed, as was copying selected events to a new track. Ranges of parameters could be changed by the same amount. In fact, practically any action one could think of was allowed.

There's a review from 1990 still on the net.
http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/magne ... -prism/398

This link to the same magazine contains a description of the editing along with some diagrams and glowing approval. Not sure there's enough there for T devs to glean the whole picture, and not sure W users would want to do editing that relies so much on the computer keyboard rather than the GUI. Still, might be worth a look.
http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/prism ... encer/7246

Unfortunately, due to its age and the fact it probably didn't sell all that well, the manual isn't on the internet.

I'm currently trying to get the .exe (it was a DOS program) file off the ancient PC I put it on, as I can't find the floppy disk (5.25"). The PC won't boot and the hard drive (which will spin up) has a connector that pre-dates IDE. A bit stuck, but I'll find a way.

FigBug · Post by **FigBug** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:39 pm

Do you think you need to be able to manually order events, or would it be good enough if there were MIDI events with the same time stamp:

- CC Messages sent first, in CC message order
- Program change messages sent next
- Midi notes sent next

Watchful · Post by **Watchful** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:48 pm

I'm not sure you can technically do these simultaneously; you'd want to ensure your program change gets there before the MIDI notes, right? Or you'd likely have a program change a split second into the first note event. Then, I'd presume you might want some control change messages to follow (pitch bend, aftertouch), but some precede if they're global.

If you're looking for a default, I'd say they default to the scrubber position, perhaps, with the option to manually move them forward or back as desired. Just my thoughts, but I'm sure a couple of people here will proposed even better ideas.

Stuttaton · Post by **Stuttaton** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 5:05 pm

FigBug wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:10 pm Do you think groove should apply to controllers? It currently doesn't.

Yes, and moving notes should also apply to controllers. Very important for wind controller playing, for instance.

FigBug · Post by **FigBug** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 6:44 pm

Stuttaton wrote: Tue Oct 06, 2020 5:05 pm
FigBug wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:10 pm Do you think groove should apply to controllers? It currently doesn't.
Yes, and moving notes should also apply to controllers. Very important for wind controller playing, for instance.

You mean if you grab a note and move it, all controller messages that happen within the note, should also move the same amount?

Watchful · Post by **Watchful** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 6:54 pm

I think, if that's possible, that would be extremely useful with pitch bend and mod wheel events, let alone the multitude of events that can happen in MPE.

Tracktion Software

KVR Audio

FR: MIDI editor showing what can't be edited