Okay, so I am very new to using software like this. In fact, I haven't started working with it just yet. So I may be asking a very ignorant, uninformed question, but here goes!
My primary reason for downloading this software is because I am a guitarist/singer, and I want to edit some backing tracks I enjoy playing along with. Long story short, I purchased access to the original files, which include all the tracks for the multi-track recordings. One of the things I really want to do is to edit certain parts, and I am not sure what the process is for this. Essentially, I want to elongate some of the intros and some of the guitar solos.
So let's say an intro goes around twice on a signature part, but I want it to go around 4 or 6 times. Same for a guitar solo, that say goes around once, but I want it to go around the solo several times. I would imagine that just trying to cut and paste each phrase might yield me a choppy sound in the final cut.
is there some way to (not sure of the term) soften the edges or something of a cut out part so I can make it a loop within the framework of the song, thusly elongating and intro, solo, or some other part? Same question if I want to repeat say a chorus or a verse to of a song but cut and pasting it.
Is this doable, or is it just a matter of trial and error to try and hopefully find the absolute perfect place to cut the little segment out and paste it?
Creating Loops and Cut & Paste Question
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- KVRist
- 142 posts since 9 Apr, 2022
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- KVRAF
- 1601 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
I think what you're looking to do is Comping (composite tracking).
The manual for v9 and v11 cover it in detail.
Broadly, what happens is this:
1. Set up a track for recording, putting an In marker where you want the loop to start and and Out marker where you want it to end and repeat.
2. Click the Loop button in the lower right (or type "l")
3. Start recording; Waveform gives you a countdown with an audible click.
4. As it starts recording, start playing. At the "out" marker, Waveform jumps back to the "in" marker and records another take. You can do as many takes as you like.
5. At the end of the takes, click Stop.
6. Waveform now creates what appears to be a single clip of your first take. But wait! Look in the lower right corner of that new clip, and you see a tiny + symbol. Click on that.
7. You now see all your takes listed, and you have a few options:
A. You can "burst" this clip into individual takes across multiple tracks. Don't worry: Waveform will create new tracks so you don't overwrite anything (including the originals!), or...
B. Comp them. This widens the tracks and shows all the takes aligned. You simply highlight the part you like in one take, highlight a part you like in another take, and basically create a quilt of different pieces of different takes. Waveform automatically creates a crossfade between them to reduce any choppiness. You'll get really good at it really quick! Then, when you have the best versions of each take, you can "flatten" the comp into a new take that merges it all together. If you like, you can have Waveform keep the original looped take just in case you want to make changes later.
Anyway, check the manual--it's easier than I make it sound and the graphics really help.
Tips:
1. You can do this will instruments or vocals.
2. Careful: I think I may have found a glitch with v12 that overwrites the original takes when rendering (this didn't happen with v11), so if you flatten the comp, DON'T have it delete the original looped clip! This will make more sense when you're doing the comping and see the options.
3. Waveform does a phenomenal job with this. But it may not be perfect if your takes aren't perfect. Examples: if take 2 is louder than take 1, you'll hear the difference if you crossfade one into the other. Also, if you don't carefully line up the timing, you can hear a "stutter" of two notes slightly overlapping. Again, easily fixed by you and easy to identify how to fix it when you're doing comping.
4. If doing vocals, listen for fricatives and sibilants (f, v, ch, sh, s, ts sounds)...those are typically unpitched, and make ideal places to cut across takes.
If you're NOT interested in comping...read my next reply!
The manual for v9 and v11 cover it in detail.
Broadly, what happens is this:
1. Set up a track for recording, putting an In marker where you want the loop to start and and Out marker where you want it to end and repeat.
2. Click the Loop button in the lower right (or type "l")
3. Start recording; Waveform gives you a countdown with an audible click.
4. As it starts recording, start playing. At the "out" marker, Waveform jumps back to the "in" marker and records another take. You can do as many takes as you like.
5. At the end of the takes, click Stop.
6. Waveform now creates what appears to be a single clip of your first take. But wait! Look in the lower right corner of that new clip, and you see a tiny + symbol. Click on that.
7. You now see all your takes listed, and you have a few options:
A. You can "burst" this clip into individual takes across multiple tracks. Don't worry: Waveform will create new tracks so you don't overwrite anything (including the originals!), or...
B. Comp them. This widens the tracks and shows all the takes aligned. You simply highlight the part you like in one take, highlight a part you like in another take, and basically create a quilt of different pieces of different takes. Waveform automatically creates a crossfade between them to reduce any choppiness. You'll get really good at it really quick! Then, when you have the best versions of each take, you can "flatten" the comp into a new take that merges it all together. If you like, you can have Waveform keep the original looped take just in case you want to make changes later.
Anyway, check the manual--it's easier than I make it sound and the graphics really help.
Tips:
1. You can do this will instruments or vocals.
2. Careful: I think I may have found a glitch with v12 that overwrites the original takes when rendering (this didn't happen with v11), so if you flatten the comp, DON'T have it delete the original looped clip! This will make more sense when you're doing the comping and see the options.
3. Waveform does a phenomenal job with this. But it may not be perfect if your takes aren't perfect. Examples: if take 2 is louder than take 1, you'll hear the difference if you crossfade one into the other. Also, if you don't carefully line up the timing, you can hear a "stutter" of two notes slightly overlapping. Again, easily fixed by you and easy to identify how to fix it when you're doing comping.
4. If doing vocals, listen for fricatives and sibilants (f, v, ch, sh, s, ts sounds)...those are typically unpitched, and make ideal places to cut across takes.
If you're NOT interested in comping...read my next reply!
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
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- KVRAF
- 1601 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
If all you're looking to do is create cuts of different existing sound clips...not actually comping...yes, Waveform can absolutely help you.
Let's say you need to take the first half of one clip and the second half of a different clip.
Cut the first clip a second or two *past* the point you want to keep.
Cut the second clip a second or two *in front of* the point you want to keep.
Overlap the two clips...then select Crossfade.
Waveform will (in something like 20 milliseconds or so) fade clip 1 down while fading in clip 2. If you align them right, the effect will be almost transparent to the ear. You might want to practice, but I have hunch you'll get it right very quickly.
Repeat for your other clips.
If you want to create one giant clip of the best parts, select all the clips in the track, right click, and select Merge. Waveform will make these changes permanent for you.
Let's say you need to take the first half of one clip and the second half of a different clip.
Cut the first clip a second or two *past* the point you want to keep.
Cut the second clip a second or two *in front of* the point you want to keep.
Overlap the two clips...then select Crossfade.
Waveform will (in something like 20 milliseconds or so) fade clip 1 down while fading in clip 2. If you align them right, the effect will be almost transparent to the ear. You might want to practice, but I have hunch you'll get it right very quickly.
Repeat for your other clips.
If you want to create one giant clip of the best parts, select all the clips in the track, right click, and select Merge. Waveform will make these changes permanent for you.
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 142 posts since 9 Apr, 2022
Thank you so much, Watchful! A lot of what you're saying doesn't make sense to me just yet because I have yet to dive into the software. I suspect once I do, later this week or early next week, and see the functionality in action, then your advice will make a lot more sense to me. I am bookmarking this page to use as reference. Thanks again! 
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- KVRAF
- 1601 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
You're very, very welcome.
I understand it does not make sense! But the v8 manual in particular does a superb job in explaining comping step by step.
You can get it here: https://www.tracktion.com/sites/default ... -guide.pdf
Comping: page 178 and following
Crossfades: page 117
If you're simply doing crossfading, click on the two overlapped clips and "Apply Crossfade" appears in the Actions menu.
Don't be afraid to use UNDO if the result isn't what you wanted. You may need to align your clips a bit and try again!
Have fun and do some great things!
I understand it does not make sense! But the v8 manual in particular does a superb job in explaining comping step by step.
You can get it here: https://www.tracktion.com/sites/default ... -guide.pdf
Comping: page 178 and following
Crossfades: page 117
If you're simply doing crossfading, click on the two overlapped clips and "Apply Crossfade" appears in the Actions menu.
Don't be afraid to use UNDO if the result isn't what you wanted. You may need to align your clips a bit and try again!
Have fun and do some great things!
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual