Subject:Figuring out root note

Posted by: kairosmatt

Date:2/18/2011 7:58:15 AM

A couple months ago I posted about finding construction kits and you guys had great suggestions.

I found a non-SCS kit for Dub style reggae which I like:
http://equinoxsounds.com/dlg/cart/index.php?action=desc&pn=58&c=31&page=

Unfortunately, it doesn't include the root notes of each loop, and I haven't gotten a response yet from equinox. I am also not very good at detecting keys and distinguishing tones.

Are there any hints to figuring out the root note (so I can Acidize them)? Or a program to help? Can Acid do this and I just haven't come across it yet?

thanks
kairosmatt

Subject:RE: Figuring out root note

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:2/21/2011 11:57:10 AM

If you have Sound Forge Pro, you can use its spectrum analysis tool to evaluate a sample by note. The caveat here is to identify what the prevailing note is in the sample. (Usually, the root is at the beginning of the sample.)

Another tip is if you have a keyboard (the musical kind, not the computer one), tap a key repeatedly as the sample loops; if you find a key that matches the prevailing note, you've basically found the root note.

That new software, Hit'n'Mix, that Geoff posted about (in relation to the ACID/Sound Forge find he made) works pretty good; pretty crash-happy though. xD

ACID cannot tell what note is what; it only does what the user tells it to do. (e.g., If a sample is ACIDized as C and it's actually D, ACID can't tell the difference. ACID simply assumes the sample that's ACIDized as C fits in that key.)

Iacobus

Subject:RE: Figuring out root note

Reply by: kairosmatt

Date:3/1/2011 7:01:39 AM

Thanks Lacobus

will try playing around with the spectrum analysis tool and see what I figure out.

kairosmatt

Subject:RE: Figuring out root note

Reply by: kairosmatt

Date:3/4/2011 1:20:32 PM

Okay, trying to use the spectrum analysis tool, but can't see how that will tell me the note.

I am probably missing something simple, but any hints would be appreciated!

kairosmatt

Subject:RE: Figuring out root note

Reply by: kairosmatt

Date:3/6/2011 5:58:47 AM

Okay, much of this stuff was probably pretty obvious to some of you pros, but I'm a musical idiot.

Been doing lots of reading online and have figured out how to make tones in SF that are exact notes using the right frequencies. I can then compare the spectrum analysis graph to notes in the loop. Of course it would be easier if I had perfect pitch, or even moderately imperfect pitch, but one step at a time.

Then I got to thinking about root notes and modes and that complicated things quite a bit. For example, it could be an A minor (or D dorian etc) but it would use the same notes as the C major. In which case the C should be the root note to transcode correctly in Acid?? Not really sure, but fortunately the music I am dealing with is not that complex so if I can at least figure out the root note I should be set!

anyways, thanks for setting off this line of inquiry-I've learned quite a bit (although still have a ways to go)

kairosmatt

Subject:RE: Figuring out root note

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:3/7/2011 1:20:16 PM

Quick way in Sound Forge:

Highlight a prominent part of the sample. Assuming the Spectrum Analysis tool has its Auto Refresh button active, right-click the waveform in the SA window and select "Show Notes." The peak is basically your prevalent note.

As you've found out, the purer the sound or note, the easier it is to find the root note. Introducing things such as noise and chords and such will make it harder.

As you know, A minor doesn't exactly sound the same as C Major in terms of feel. (Minor keys have a darker or sad tone versus the "happier" tone of their respective Major keys.) The general rule is to keep it simple: A minor samples should be ACIDized as A; C Major samples should be ACIDized as C.

e.g., If you were to ACIDize an A minor scale run as C, it wouldn't obviously fit very well within an ACID project that has the project key of C for the above reasons (especially if they intended the project to be C Major...or worse, C minor, which has 3 flatted notes).

It's up to you, the author, to make note (and even title) your samples as such so others know of anything that might be out of the ordinary.