User manual

97
The Arranger track
Introduction
The Arranger track allows you to work with sections of
your project in a non-linear fashion, to simplify arranging to
the maximum extent. Instead of moving, copying and past-
ing events in the Project window to create a linear project,
you can define how different sections are to be played
back, like a playlist.
For this, you can define arranger events, order them in a list,
and add repeats as desired. This offers a different and more
pattern-oriented way of working, which complements the
usual linear editing methods in the Project window.
You can create several Arranger chains, making it possi-
ble to store different versions of a song within the project
without sacrificing the original version. When you have
created an Arranger chain that you like, you have the op-
tion of “flattening” the list, which creates a normal linear
project based on the Arranger chain.
You can also use the Arranger track for live performances
on the stage, in clubs or at parties.
Setting up the Arranger track
Let’s say you have prepared a number of audio files that
form the base of a typical pop song, with introduction,
verse, chorus and bridge. Now you want to arrange these
files.
The first step is to create an Arranger track. On the Arran-
ger track, you define specific sections of the project by cre-
ating arranger events. These can be of any length, may
overlap and are not bound to the start or end of existing
events and parts. Proceed as follows:
1. Open the project for which you want to create arranger
events.
2. Open the Project menu and select “Arranger” from the
Add Track submenu (or right-click in the Track list and se-
lect Add Arranger track).
An Arranger track is added. There can be only one Arranger track in a
project, but you can set up more than one Arranger chain for this track,
see “Managing Arranger chains” on page 99.
3. On the Project window toolbar, make sure that Snap
is activated, and that the Grid resolution is set to a mode
that allows your arranger events to snap to appropriate
positions in the project.
Snap to events is activated, i.e. when drawing in the Project window,
new events will snap to existing events.
4. On the Arranger track, use the Pencil tool to draw an
event of the desired length.
An Arranger event is added, called “A” by default. Any following events
will be named in alphabetical order.
• You can rename an Arranger event by selecting it and
changing its name in the Project window info line or by
holding down [Alt]/[Option], double-clicking on the name
in the Arranger chain (see below) and entering a new
name.
You may want to name your arranger events according to the structure of
your project, e.g. Verse, Chorus etc.
5. Create as many events as you need for your project.
In this example, arranger events have been created that correspond to a
classic pop song structure. Note how there is no realtime line in the
project: the music sequence is determined by the arranger events.
Events can be moved, resized and deleted using the stan-
dard techniques. Please note:
• If you want to change the length of an event, select the
Arrow tool and click and drag the lower corners of the
event in the desired direction.
• If you copy an Arranger event (by [Alt]/[Option]-drag-
ging or by using copy/paste), a new event will be created
with the same name as the original.
However, this new event will be totally independent from the original event.
• Double-clicking on an arranger event adds it to the cur-
rent Arranger chain.