User Guide

CHP. 3 GETTING STARTED
39
Tip:
You can change the length of the file that starts the
Beatmapper in the
Audio tab of the Preferences dialog. For
more information, see Using the Audio tab on page 181.
MIDI
ACID creates a MIDI track when you open a MID, SMF, or RMI file. You can use MIDI tracks to record
data from and play back through synthesizers and other MIDI-compliant equipment. For more information,
see Working with MIDI on page 131.
Adding and editing events
You have added media to the project, and ACID has created tracks for the media files. Now you can add
events to the track view. The following sections describe three basic techniques used when working with
audio events: painting, deleting, and moving.
Painting events
After you add a media file to your project, you must paint it on the timeline in order to hear it. When you
paint on the media files track, you create an event that displays the files waveform. You can paint events on
the timeline using either the Draw tool or the Paint tool.
Note:
Media files must be added to the project before either
of these tools can be used to paint events.
Placing events with the Draw tool
The Draw tool is the most common method of placing events on the timeline. This tool allows you to add
track-specific events, one at a time. In addition, you can use the Draw tool to select, edit, and move events.
For more information, see Adding and editing events on page 39.
1.
Click the Draw Tool button ( ) or choose Editing Tool from the Edit menu and choose Draw from the
submenu. The pointer displays as a pencil icon.
2.
Place the Draw tool at the left edge of any track containing a media file.
3.
Click and hold the mouse button while dragging the Draw tool to the right. A waveform representing the
event appears on the timeline as you drag the mouse.
Notice that if you are placing a loop file on the timeline, small indentations appear along the top and
bottom edges of the event indicating the start and end points of each individual loop.
Tip:
Events can be also be drawn from right (end) to left
(beginning).
4.
Release the mouse button to end the event.
5.
Click the Play from Start button ( ) on the transport bar. The event plays back.