This Pro Tools 8 Tutorial video will demonstrate using Beat Detective™ to extract subtle timing information from a recording of a live drum part. Then I’m going to apply that timing information to my own MIDI performance. The purpose is to infuse some of the feel of the live drum part into the MIDI parts so that all the parts groove together.
About “feel” and “groove”
The timing variations that are discussed in this video are sometimes considered very subtle. But they are there and they make a huge difference. Especially when you multiply their affect across several musical elements in an arrangement.
If you do not hear them at first, feel free to watch it again and listen for the way that Groove Quantized tracks “gel” or “pocket” better with the live drums.
Intro to Groove Templates with Beat Detective™ – 7:46
I noticed your use of the “legato” duration function. How often do you head into other midi menus like this? This is something I rarely do but I know there’s a lot of great features in here. I’d love to get some tips on midi quantization and utilizing these functions to really get things clean and tidy.
Keith ~ Thanks for the comment.
Just like the timing factors in the video, finely edited note durations are subtle and yet have a huge affect on the music.
Durations that are unintentionally long tend to take away from the music, in my opinion.
Even notes that hang on just a little too long can create dissonance, affect the feel of the melody or a chord, and mess with the transient detail of a sound.
For those reasons, I give note durations detailed attention and usually have the Event Operations window open often when working on MIDI performances. I head into the other MIDI menus numerous times throughout each session, depending on the music.
As for tips and techniques for getting the most out of Pro Tools 8 MIDI features? That is the whole focus of http://www.showmemidi.com.
I’m doing a complete course on the subject of using MIDI in Pro Tools there.