Tracking your beats in ProTools?

I recently started using ProTools and I was wondering how does everybody else do it cause I have a problem.

The way I have been doing it is just recording the four bar loop of each instrument and been copying and pasting it from then on out. But my problem with this is that some instruments have a release on them and go on for longer than 4 bars and then it is cut off when you but the next wave block thus creating a click on your track.

or am I supposed to track each instrument for 88 bars so I dont get the problem?

The clicks can be avoided by using a 'snap to zero crossing' setting, or by using automatic crossfades to join the blocks. That's what I do in Logic, ProTools also has these features.

If there is a real decay from a sound, let's say a cymbal, that goes on into the next block, it should be recorded in the start of that next block. So ideally, you'd have to record 2 instances of the same sequence. Let's say your loop is 4 bars. Set the record markers in PT to 9 bars, put it in record and hit play (I'm assuming you've got PT synced to the MP, or vice versa). You'll end up with a 9 bar loop in PT that you'll chop in 2 parts: the first one (4 bars) has no cymbal decay at the start, you'll use that as the first instance of that loop in your song, or when the loop comes back in after it has been muted. Subsequent loops will be made of the second (5-bar) part of the recording, looped at 4 bars. It has a cymbal decay at the beginning that joins up with the decay at the end of the previous bar. And if there's a point in your song where you'll want to stop the loop without it sounding cut off, just use the full 5 bar loop that has the decaying cymbal at the end.

does the copy/paste method use less mem......lately i got some plug ins and the more I use....PT seems to stop and do the memory limiting thing.....lemme know if anyone knows the answer.....cuz the plug ins def make the tracks hotter

the way i used to do with the instrument release (used to happen all the time with cymbol crashes for me) is if it's a 4 bar loop... do it for 8bars... then cut from 5:1 to 9:1, delete 1:1 - 4:4 and just loop the 5:1 to 9:1..... only problem is that then you have the release at the beginning to, but then you can just keep the 5:1 in the 5:1 spot instead of scooting it over and then play the four bars again in 1:1 - 4:4.... hope this didn't confuse you....

Honestly tracking is a big hassle for me.... I started just mixing down well between my equipment and then 2tracking it into pro tools

Thanks for all the help you guys!!
LoFi and Mista Mike it sounds like you guys have almost the same idead goin on. Im definitly going to try that out!!
Thanks again you guys are the greatest!

My follow up question is I have the M box and I need help configuring the midi man so it will control the MPC 2000 XL from the pro tools?

nyst8 wrote:does the copy/paste method use less mem......lately i got some plug ins and the more I use....PT seems to stop and do the memory limiting thing.....lemme know if anyone knows the answer.....cuz the plug ins def make the tracks hotter

I'm not quite sure if copy/paste uses less mem, but I do it all the time. What will kill the cpu memory are plugins, automation, and leaving the pc on for an over extended period of time. (Not and issue with the mac though). So I try to use very little automation by editing wav files.. Also, with plugins, I use the bussing method if I really need to use a certain plugin on different instruments. If I'm definitely sure that I want that that plugin's affect on that intrument, then I might use the audiosuite..Getting more ram also helps a lot!!

Peace

Vgeecolbert wrote:My follow up question is I have the M box and I need help configuring the midi man so it will control the MPC 2000 XL from the pro tools?

Ummmm I set somebodies up yesterday... You gotta go to I think "MIDI" in PT, and then go to "Enable Midi Beat Clock" Click "Enable" at the top, and check off Midiman on the screen, then do a Shift 9 on the MP, set it to Midi Clock, and you should be good

Agent,
If those other methods dont work, you could always just record the track straight through. I know it takes more time, but it works. Just an Idea. It took me a minute to figure it out too. I would tell you how I do it but It will probably confuse you more.

all u need to do to avoid the click is use the crossfade option. hi-lite a small area where the two audio regions meet, and type control F. and mistamike4u is right about syncing the midi, so theres ur answer for that question.