Reference Guide

391
Comping
Arranging and editing
Comping
There are various methods you can use to record your best performance. Comping refers to the
process of recording multiple takes, then assembling a final “composite” track by combining the best
parts from each take.
While some musicians can perform a flawless performance in a single take, most people typically
record several takes so they have a few alternative versions of the same performance in case there
are any mistakes they want to fix later.
Instead of using punch recording to painstakingly record multiple short “perfect” takes, it is often a
better approach to record multiple longer takes, even if they contain mistakes, then isolate the best
parts from each take. This approach is usually more relaxed and allows you to capture a better
performance.
SONAR makes comping very easy and transparent. You simply click or drag across the takes you
want to keep, and SONAR automatically mutes all other overlapping takes on the same track.
There are three primary methods you can use to comp in SONAR:
• Comping record mode. The default recording mode in SONAR is called Comping. When
recording, previously recorded material on the track is not heard. When a recording is done, the
newly recorded material is unmuted and all other takes are muted for the duration of the new
material. Each take appears on its own Take lane, with the newest take on top. For details, see
“Comping record mode” on page 397 and “Recording modes” on page 278.
• Manual comping. When Take lanes are visible on a track, you can use the Smart tool or
Comping tool
to isolate overlapping takes. Simply click or drag across a take, and all other
overlapping takes in the same track are muted. For details, see “Comping with the Smart tool and
Comping tool” on page 400.
• Speed comping. After recording multiple takes, you can audition any individual take, use
keyboard shortcut keys to audition other takes and then select which take you want to use. For
details, see “Speed comping” on page 404.
You can use one or more of the different methods to create a perfect comp. SONAR will even apply
configurable crossfades between takes automatically, and you can quickly “flatten” the final comp to
a new Take lane and mute the original takes.