new to all this. now trying to get started with loops

[stewlyons]

posting this to kvr forum and e-mailing to tracktion support:

1. if i understood tracktion support, when i put a imagina loop into a track i would get asked whether i wanted as a stereo or multi-track, well, i didn’t and i’ve tried just dragging the loop file in to the track and using the import function and in neither case do i get asked if i want it stereo or not. when i used the import function/button i was asked whether i wanted the clip at the cursor…or not…so what is the deal? i guess i would like to know how to make the loop files stereo, or two tracks or whatever. any help is appreciated.

2. when i look at the imagina loops, they are divided into three artists (i guess they’re artists!), and then within each of those artists there are “chorus” “verse” etc and w/i “verse” for example there are like 10 or more numbered folders and then actual sound files i guess you’d call them inside these numbered folders. what is the difference between the numbered folders?

3. so far i don’t see these loops as being what i really want. i want some good grooves. i want to be able to choose from a number of different styles/genres of music/rhythm and then choose from a variety of different grooves. but this doesn’t really seem possible using these imagina loops. i mean suppose i want to create a reggae groove. or a folk groove. or a slow blues shuffle groove. how am i supposed to know which of those imagina loops would be folk? or reggae? or hard rock?

4. it seems like i’m not understanding these loops. or they’re not what i hoped. from all i’ve described/asked above, is there something else i should be doing? or something else i need? or do i need to buy groove loops in particular genres or something? any advice would be appreciated.

thank you.

[zzz00m]

In general, if you look at loops in the Waveform browser pane, the preview shows whether a loop is recorded in stereo or mono. When you drag a loop into a track, it retains those original file properties. I haven't downloaded the imagina loops yet, so I don't know the specifics of that collection.

If you are wanting to work mainly with loops, you probably need to either bring your own collection, or start acquiring one. Waveform offers some great tools to work with, especially the multi-browser sync feature. But it's not known as being a cornucopia of bundled content, which is reflected in the reasonable price point.

[mikoatkvr]

I would also search https://freesound.org/ it has some great loops and single hits or just downright weird sounds, most of which are CC ( creative commons ) .
It is a good idea to start organizing your samples by folder, eg you have 1 master sample folder with all categories within this folder ...then point Tracktion/Waveform to search this folder.

[stewlyons]

Thank you for the advice and info; much appreciated