Tracktion Software

Ivan_C · Post by **Ivan_C** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:38 pm

This function in Tracktion really sucks

I thought I should use Tracktion to manage some drum loops but when I export my MIDI tracks in MIDI files, I can't do anything with them... I hope that will be fixed in T2

Else, someone knows a good MIDI sequencer in freeware ? I just need a tool to edit some drum tracks and export some mesaures...

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:52 pm

Wolfen666 wrote:when I export my MIDI tracks in MIDI files, I can't do anything with them...

Can you be more specific at all?

You should be aware that Tracktion only exports MIDI that arrives at a MIDI out: if your tracks are currently playing VSTi's you will need to disable / delete the synths and re-route the tracks to MIDI outs instead of audio.. is that the problem?

Else, someone knows a good MIDI sequencer in freeware ?

No.

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:55 pm

bovinator · Post by **bovinator** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 2:20 am

actually, i remember having midi export difficulties with T:

i do a lot of scoring in finale (the notation program) and often i import the resulting midi file into T. this all works ok but a while ago i tried going the other way ie. exporting a midi file from T and importing it into finale.

the song was in 7/8 but trackion exported it in 4 not even importing the quater note values correctly so i couldn't just change the time signature. after this happened i tried the same thing in a number of different sequencers (ext, muzys & logic) and they all exported the midi file perfectly (with time signature changes and everything). this happened a while ago and i haven't actually tried this again since it was such a mess - midi export may have been fixed by now (though i doubt it). as far as i remember, exporting songs in 4/4 works fine though...

Ivan_C · Post by **Ivan_C** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:58 pm

Thanks for the answers

But that still doesn't work... When I delete my filters, assign a MIDI out to the track and set the canals and program changes in very clip, I can hear the sound when I push the play button, but when I export and try to open the MIDI file with winamp for example, that doesn't work

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 8:57 pm

MIDI export can be messed up due to many reasons. It's not just Tracktion's fault. I, too, use Finale. I have for many, many years. And there are many settings concerning MIDI import and export. It doesn't always import it correctly. At least not exactly like I had hoped. And the files I've imported were not done in Tracktion. You just have to have the settings in Finale just right, or it won't do it.

Also, with time signatures, don't get me wrong, but MIDI doesn't recognize time signatures(if I remember correctly). It just has the notes, including their length, pitch, and velocity. So when you import or export a song, no time sig data gets transmitted. You just have to make sure that the program you import into has the settings correctly. Do you have the time sig set in the import program BEFORE you import? If not, then it will appear messed up. Also, quantize settings play a big part in importing and exporting.

So many things to look at. I'm not saying that T does it perfectly and it's everybody elses' fault. But I'm confident that there could be something else set different somewhere.

Also, you mentioned you are exporting drum loops. Are you exporting AND importing them on the same channel? As you know, MIDI "set's aside" channel 10 for drums, although you may use any channel you wish. But some programs automatically assume channel 10 for drums. So check that to make sure it's correct.(This won't effect the timing issue, but it will help with the playability.)

I hope your problems are fixed. And I do wish for the better MIDI in T2. I'm sure it will be a treat for us all.

Koolkeys

Ivan_C · Post by **Ivan_C** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:58 am

Thanks for the answer

About time signature, I'm sure this information is written into the MIDI files, as tempo changes, because I'm working on a C++ project which reads them

I have set the canal 10 on every midi clip... The problem as I have written is Tracktion don't write right MIDI files, so the exported files cannot be opened in a MIDI software, like Winamp to be played... I hope too T2 will do this better...

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:28 pm

but when I export and try to open the MIDI file with winamp for example, that doesn't work

What exactly is wrong with the exported file? Does it play at all? If you like you can send me the file, and I'll have a look in Cubase, see if I can spot the errors..? platinumears <at> hotmail.com

Ivan_C · Post by **Ivan_C** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 2:18 pm

Thanks to you, but the only thing I want to know is if somebody is able to play with Winamp for example a file exported from Tracktion, and if that's possible how does he do... Else, I will look for another sequencer for MIDI files

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 5:00 pm

Do other MIDI clips work properly in Winamp? Is Winamp ABLE to play back MIDI clips?

Greg

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:36 pm

Hmmm...

I just tried a MIDI export for the first time (not something I mornally have cause to do!)...

...and the exported ("rendered") MIDI file failed to appear in the destination folder I sent it to.

I deleted all filters as suggested in a post above, and T seemed to be taking a few seconds to do something... I also double checked the destination the file should be saved in...

What am I doing wrong?

Ivan_C · Post by **Ivan_C** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:17 pm

My Winamp is able to play classic midi files, but impossible to play a file exported from Tracktion... I don't know what to do !

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:04 pm

I'm sorry. I haven't really studied my MIDI for a while, so it slipped my mind of what all is included. But according to the MIDI spec, time signature IS a part of it. However, it's optional. So I wonder if Tracktion doesn't include it? If it's not included, the MIDI spec says it defaults to 4/4 time. Hmmm, still, there has to be more wrong here.

About Winamp not playing the files. I'm not familiar with the latest Winamp versions, but does it read or have the option to switch between Type 1 and Type 2 MIDI files? It may affect what is being read, or if the whole file is being read. Sorry, just a thought.

Also, are you trying to export numerous tracks in Tracktion as a whole? Or just a single track?

I'm asking questions to get a better understanding of what is wrong. What do you mean when you say they won't play properly? This is important to figuring out where the problem is.

Here's to helping.

Koolkeys

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:36 pm

Ok. I've just done a test. (I make ringtones for a living, so I have no shortage of MIDI files to try out!)

I imported a MIDI file (that plays fine in WinAmp) into Tracktion, and re-exported.. as you say, the resulting file (although it seemed the right size) refused to play in either WinAmp or Media Player.

I opened the file in Cubase VST: while it opened and played OK it had a full minute of silence inserted at the start that was not in the original, nor in the Tracktion edit I exported.

Worse still, the last chord of the piece was missing note-offs (I assume) hence ended up 196 beats long!

As I couldn't spot any obvious changes to the data in Cubase's grid editor, I trimmed the silence from the start and re-exported.. the result plays fine in WinAmp.

I can only conclude that Tracktion's MIDI export is indeed pretty screwy.

Hopefully this will be improved in V2 else I will be stuck using Cubase to make my ringtones for a while longer.

jtxx000 · Post by **jtxx000** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:38 pm

Wolfen666 wrote: Else, someone knows a good MIDI sequencer in freeware ? I just need a tool to edit some drum tracks and export some mesaures...

www.anvilstudio.com is decent

Tracktion Software

KVR Audio

Midi export