Subject:What is the right software?

Posted by: sonicform

Date:5/30/2003 3:32:12 PM

I use Acid 4 and Sound Forge 6 to create loop-based music (lounge, downbeat, big beat, hip hop).

What I want to do is simple - Create my own loops and use them in Acid projects. To be more specific, I want to use midi controllers to create drum, synth, and bass loops while listening to the rest of my Acid project. Then record the loops if they jive with the rest of my project.

Can anyone suggest the right software for this? Please specify WHY you would recommend a particular product. Thanks!

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:5/30/2003 4:29:15 PM

Why, ACID Pro 4.0 and Sound Forge 6.0, of course. ;o)

A great way to create your own custom loops is to record your loops in ACID and tweak externally in Sound Forge.

Because you want to use MIDI, I'd suggest bouncing down MIDI into digital audio before tweaking in Sound Forge, since Sound Forge does not work with MIDI files.

Be also aware of a couple things. If you go to alter the length of an ACIDized loop that was recorded in ACID in Sound Forge, it will affect its ACIDized properties (its tempo mainly), effectively changing the way the loop sounds as it was recorded in a specific ACID project.

For example, let's say I recorded a snippet of guitar at 120 BPM in ACID Pro and bounced it down to create a Loop, effectively "ACIDizing" my sample. (ACIDizing involves adding a chunk of info to a Loop, specifically tempo and key information.) Since my project's tempo was 120 BPM, that info was added to the sample.

Taking that into account, tempo and time (the length of the audio) are indirectly related when it comes to ACIDizing. If you alter the length, you also alter the ACIDized tempo.

If I trim my recorded file a bit in Sound Forge, I will increase its tempo, (say, to 140 BPM). That means that when it's brought back into ACID and reloaded, ACID will stretch the sample to fit 120 BPM, potentially introducing artifacts into the loop. That's why it's important to pay attention to Sound Forge's ACID loop creation tools, so that as you're making changes to an ACIDized file, you'll know the consequences and gauge accordingly.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: sonicform

Date:5/30/2003 6:42:58 PM

Thanks Iacubus, that's good info, but before I get to the recording part, what should I use to produce the loops in the first place?

I want to make my own drum, bass, and synth loops using controllers like Oxygen 8 and MPD 16. Should I go for a package like Studio 5? Fruity Loops? Reason? Which one would best suit my needs?

Since all I know at this point is Acid and Sound Forge, any other app I choose is going to take a while for me to learn, so I don't want to just download a demo of everything out there. Any suggestions?

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: MyST

Date:5/30/2003 6:55:03 PM

The three you mention sound like good candidates. Three demos to try out doesn't seem so bad. BTW, I gather you meant Project 5 from Cakewalk.
It all comes down to which one you most feel comfortable using... which one does what you need. I don't think there's any other way to find out than to demo, is there?

M

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: analoguekid

Date:5/30/2003 10:26:16 PM

I hate to be obvious, but it seems like you're overlooking using Acid as your app to create your loops. If you've not yet entered the "pro" level, it could be a financial advantage to use what you already have...4.0c has a lot of power now, you should really take it apart to see if it can fit your workflow. There are tons of free VSTi instruments available, work with those using your O8, spend your money on a good sound card like the AP2496 and you could be banging out hits in no time at all...

Just a thought...

Dave

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: Spirit

Date:5/31/2003 1:54:03 AM

FL Studio 4 is without doubt the best app to create loops for Acid. It exports loops with a "wrap" option which is essential for good, seamless looping, can "export Acidised" - also essential for obvious reasons, and it layed out step-sequencer style which is perfect for loop creation.

Apps such as Orion and Project 5 are trying to be major song-construction apps like Cubase SX and while they can loop, they're not as fast or purpose built for it.

FL Studio 4 is cheap, has good generators and effects, is excellent for adding single sample "one shots" as drums and effects, is cheap, robust and can load as a VSTi (although I recommend keeping them both open on you machine, but separate.)

IMHO nothing else comes close to the power of the FL Studio & Acid alliance :-)

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: sonicform

Date:5/31/2003 5:03:01 PM

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll check out the demos & vstis.

Subject:RE: What is the right software?

Reply by: MacMoney

Date:5/31/2003 7:31:03 PM

Acid 4.0c

George Ware