User Guide
CHP. 7 WORKING WITH TRACKS
105
Understanding stretching properties
All loops on the ACID 4.0 CD-ROM (as well as all loop library CD-ROMs) contain stretching properties.
This means that tempo and key information is stored in the loops, allowing the application to accurately
perform its time stretching/compressing and pitch-shifting functions on these loops when placed in a project.
Keep in mind that you do not need to designate stretching properties for loops that you create for ACID
projects. The application typically makes an accurate estimate regarding the loop file’s tempo. In addition,
you can temporarily assign a root note to the file to allow it to be transposed to the project’s key. However,
when creating custom loops for use in multiple projects, you should define stretching properties.
You can set the stretching properties for loops and Beatmapped tracks. For more information, see Adjusting
stretching properties for loop or Beatmapped tracks on page 106.
Configuring track properties
Double-click a track icon (such as ) to display the Track Properties window.
Note:
This section addresses track properties for non-MIDI
tracks. For information on MIDI track properties, see
Changing MIDI track properties on page 132.
Once you modify the properties of a track, ACID saves the information with your project, but does not alter
the original media file. If you want, you can save your changes to the media file as well. For more information,
see Saving file properties on page 109.
Note:
When you edit a track in an external editor, changes
to the sound file are reflected immediately after you save the
file. Changes to a media file's ACID properties are not
updated in your ACID project until you click
Reload on the
Track Properties window.
Adjusting general track properties
The General tab displays information about the file associated with a track and allows you to change the track
type (except for MIDI track types), apply pitch shifting to all events on the track, and adjust time stretching
for Beatmapped tracks.
Changing track type
For non-MIDI tracks, choose a setting from the Track type drop-down list to change the way ACID handles
the track.
Track Type Description
Loop When you select Loop, ACID transposes the track to the key of the project and stretches
the track to fit the project tempo. Loops can be drawn across the track and will repeat
end-to-end.
One-Shot When you select One-Shot, ACID streams the track from the hard disk rather than
storing it in RAM if it is longer than thirty seconds. One-shot files do not change tempo
with the rest of the loops, and are not transposed to the project key.
The Stretch tab is not available when One-Shot is selected.
Beatmapped When you add a file that is longer than 30 seconds to a project, ACID’s Beatmapper
Wizard allows you to add tempo information to the file.