[Sonar] how to edit DND loops with keyboard?

[batsbrew]

PC format, win XP, sonar 6 PE, ezd with funkmasters and DFH exp.

basic midi help needed here….

i’ve got arrangements done, using drag-n-drop standard loops…..
songs are complete, and now i want to go back and do some real-time playing/editing to my midi drum track.

now, i want to hook up my new maudio usb keyboard, and tie into the DAW triggering EZd, so i can play along with the loops i’ve already lined up, adding cymbals, extra kicks, etc….

i’m new to midi, so i’m really looking for some basic midi editing guidelines, as well as how it relates to ezdrummer specifically.

how do i get the new midi data i’m playing live, to come in on top of the loops that have already been written?
or do i do this with a new midi track, and basically ‘record’ the new inputs that way?

i’ll eventually go in a hand-edit the original midi track, to eliminate any extra hits or elements i’ve changed my mind about….
and i can do that fine….
but adding live playing into midi, and possibly needing to quantize SOME, or NONE, i’m just clueless on it.

thanks

Topic

[Dave Modisette]

Select the midi track where you DnD’d your grooves.  Set the Track Input to your M-Audio.  Arm the midi track for recording.  Press “R” and record your additional midi data.
 
You might have to set the Record options for Sound on Sound recording.

Dave Modisette www.gatortraks.com www.plasticsamerica.com http://www.gatortraks.com/forum

[batsbrew]

sound on sound…
yes, that’s the deal.
 
of course, what if i just suck at playing real time………?!!
LOL
 
does it make any sense to create a 2nd midi track, and do the ‘overdub’ midi stuff there?
 
and, would it be any easier to quantize stuff on a seperate midi track, assuming that the original track was dead on?
 
many thanks for the input……..
 

[Dave Modisette]

The separate track is a good approach.  Keep in mind that the later versions of SONAR have input quantize which you can set the “strength” of quantization.  The EZX grooves aren’t heavily quantized so you might want to set your strength to 85 -90%.
 
EZplayer Pro is also a great approach where you use it somewhat like an artist uses a palette to blend shades of various colors.  You can do the same thing there by blending the kit pieces from several grooves to get more complex patterns.

Dave Modisette www.gatortraks.com www.plasticsamerica.com http://www.gatortraks.com/forum

[batsbrew]

yes, i’ve seriously considered the ezp pro route, since i’ve got favorites from all my different available kits….
 
but what i want to learn to do, is to be able to play ‘stream of conciousness’ parts in real time on my keyboard, as best as i can, and be able to easily edit or ‘fix’ timing issues, so i can quickly lay down basic grooves to write songs, but then go back and dial in exactly what beats i want where, to go with the music that ends up being constructed on top of the rather plain grooves.
 
and i know i could pull measures out, and find good loops already done, and drag and drop as well……
 
but it seems to me, the strength of EZD is already having the loops almost good to go, or at least strong enough to give the skeleton, now i want to be able to put on some MEAT, but in real time….
 

[Dave Modisette]

With SONAR and EZdrummer, there is nothing stopping you from making your vision come true.  (Maybe a little hard work, practice and study.)

Dave Modisette www.gatortraks.com www.plasticsamerica.com http://www.gatortraks.com/forum

[batsbrew]

WELL,
the only snag i’ve come across so far, is that when i’m hitting the keys on the keyboard to trigger the drums, i’m getting keyboard sound from whatever preset is currently setup for the softsynth keyboard sounds…
 
i just can’t seem to figure out how to seperate them….
i have the synth key sound up, to trigger the sounds i’ve already recorded into midi…..
 
if i turn it off, then i get the clean ‘drum sounds’ only, but i lose my keyboard parts.
 
i’m not ready to bounce the keys to audio yet, as i’m still arranging…..

[Author]

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