Specifications

Chapter 8 Using Apple Loops 79
Transposition Track
Transposition events are closely linked to the progression of the chord root notes in the
Chord track: Changing a chord root will be reflected in the Transposition track and
vice-versa. Any alteration or creation of a transposition event will generate or alter the
corresponding chord in the Chord track. All Apple Loops and MIDI Regions will be
pitch-shifted accordingly.
Note: “Standard” Audio Regions (Audio Regions that are not Apple Loops) will not be
affected. Nor will Apple Loops that do not have a Key definition (drum loops, for
example).
The global Transpose track transposes Apple Loops used on audio tracks by a
maximum of ±36 semitones. This is a designed limitation, as Apple Loops don’t sound
that great when transposed over a greater range. This is also true for the Transpose
parameter of the Region Parameter box.
Apple Loops transpose to the wrong octave
Transposing an Apple Loop to a higher pitch may result in the loop being played back
at a lower pitch, and vice-versa.
Example: If an Apple Loop is transposed to sound seven semitones higher, it will
actually play back five semitones lower. This is harmonically-correct transposition, but
it’s probably not to the intended octave.
Transposing audio material is a technically complicated process which always implies a
certain loss in quality. The greater the transposition range, the more significant the loss
in quality. This is why Apple Loops are always transposed by the smallest possible
value.
You should note that sound quality is dependent on the transposition amount of the
Apple Loop’s original key—not the song key, which defines the zero line of the
Transposition track. As an example; if the song key is already five semitones above the
original key of an Apple Loop, setting the transposition value to +2 will transpose the
Apple Loop downwards by ten semitones. This is because the transposition value is
only five semitones below its original key (rather than seven semitones above it).
In the classical European music system, an octave is divided into 12 semitones. As +7
semitones is harmonically equal to –5 semitones, a value of minus 5 is used as the
transposition amount. The same happens with other settings: A transposition value of
–9 will result in +3, and +12 will result in ± 0.