How Do Producers Like Storch Who Use A Motif Track?

[Tempest19]

So it's only recently that I've started using this approach of making a 'beat' first and then working on the 'song' before I just recorded in the typical sense with real instruments.

Ok so when composing a beat using the sequencer on yamaha motif how do the big name producers have their beats tracked?

Is it just a case of mutting all the tracks and letting the kick for example play through from output 1 and recording it into protools, then onto the next instrument?

This is the only method I can think of but its taking a lot of time.

I'm also having trouble with tempos, I cant figure out how to sync the motif and protools clocks. So everything I record Im having to pull it back into time on the protools session.

Any tips or know how from the big names to speed up this process??

Thanks,

Chris

[HoPMiX]

man.. yeah use the solo function per track..
Press Utility, F5 MIDI , then SF3-Sync. Set the MIDI sync to MIDI ( default is internal).

[Zionpro]

Yeah...your method is basically right...You would of course solo each track and record the output into you DAW.

However, if your soundcard allows multiple channels to be recorded at once AND your motif has mult outs, you can route the tracks to individual outs and record more than one track at once...Also, say with mono sounds, if you can record at least two inputs into DAW at once, you can hard pan one track left and the other right and at least get two sounds out at a time.

In order to sync, you need to set either the MOTIF or PT as the master (either MIDI clock or TIMECODE) Set the other as slave...make sure the master is set to send the MIDI sync signal to the slave...consult maunals on that...might want to enable MMC (MIDI Machine Code)-- OF course MIDI cables need to be connected appropriately...

Once you have them synced right, you shouldn't have any problems; save the first measure or two might be slightly skewed due to it not lining up right out the gate...A common fix is to place 2-4 blank measures at the beginning of the sequence to allow catch up time...
If you work mainly in loops, you can set the DAW to record the section only...then you can just loop it in the DAW--saves you from recording the track for the duration of the song length...

This is a lot of rambling, but hopefully you get some useful info...

[nukmusic]

"Multiple outputs into Multiple inputs"

[TonyBelmont]

Simple... they let someone else do it for them.

[Ace_TX]

sometimes i wonder about some of the people on this board

Scott Storch and other "big name producers" have a 1 input soundcard and their keyboard workstations have a mono output

they have to play out each track in real time

nukmusic/Tony Belmont why'd you even bother responding... OP probably was trying to decipher the 2 rediculous posts prior to yours

[illynoise]

Here is THE easiest way to track out a song somebody should make this a sticky:

1. track all 16 channels into your sequencer (Logic is my example):



2. space all of your sequenced objects in a step formation (so you get the tails)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/illynoise/SEdc7rLuBjI/AAAAAAAAAHA/HEgv4RQpORY/2.png?imgmax=720

3. make an audio track and record in 1 pass all 16 channels



4. Chop at start and end points



5. make more audio tracks and then copy the parts minus the gaps



will now look like this:



6. copy the sequences and mute the midi tracks and you have an arrangement





BTW this works for virtual instrument bounces as well!

hope this helps.

[ninjasoards]

As far as Logic is concerned the easiest way to track in a beat is to:

1. Freeze every track
2. Hit space bar, each track will bounce in one pass
3. Import the freeze files into the DAW of your choice

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by ninjasoards

As far as Logic is concerned the easiest way to track in a beat is to:

1. Freeze every track
2. Hit space bar, each track will bounce in one pass
3. Import the freeze files into the DAW of your choice

Not if your transferring to another program or doing midi instruments. Freezing only works in the native program AFAIK.

[JDN]

maybe things have changed, but last storch setup I saw, a while ago, was mpc sequencer driven....going into pro tools using various modules and synths as sound sources.

It's really not that complex, as it's usually a loop than further editing in PT. you just have mpc synced to PT via SMPTE of MTC or Midi Beat clock.... Solo each in MPC, track each in individually or multiple at once.

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by JDN

maybe things have changed, but last storch setup I saw, a while ago, was mpc sequencer driven....going into pro tools using various modules and synths as sound sources.

It's really not that complex, as it's usually a loop than further editing in PT. you just have mpc synced to PT via SMPTE of MTC or Midi Beat clock.... Solo each in MPC, track each in individually or multiple at once.

the reason that I always put the midi in first is for the control, bad midi notes and what not. also if your putting a track in with drums, you can demix the hi hats and kicks and snares without having to do multiple passes.

I tried the MPC way and you have to program in an extra bar if the DAW doesn't want to play nice with recording on the fly.

[C Heat]

Big effort there Illynoise

Kudos.

[piccazzo]

3. Import the freeze files into the DAW of your choice

What ive read that doesn´t work.But you can bounce all tracks at the same time in logic.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by illynoise

Not if your transferring to another program or doing midi instruments. Freezing only works in the native program AFAIK.

Actually, I've never done this but if you set the freeze file bit depth to 24b, and then do the freeze above, you can import the freeze files directly (they're just 24b audio files). Trouble is, default is 32b which not all programs can import.

As for the OP, is 1hr really a long time to take tracking out a beat properly?! I can't understand all these people who don't have enough time to spend bouncing in realtime (so like - when are you going to check back your mix if not when printing it in the first place?!) or spending a few minutes tracking out a beat - like printing stems, it's a way to double check all the elements are ok - sometimes you hear things that (when you listen carefully) can actually be heard in the main mix - duff edits and such. Less relevant when printing 16 bars of the same thing, but even so.

[lpuma]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Actually, I've never done this but if you set the freeze file bit depth to 24b, and then do the freeze above, you can import the freeze files directly (they're just 24b audio files). Trouble is, default is 32b which not all programs can import.

He's talking about tracking outboard gear.

[Tempest19]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I've read them and gained a better understanding of how the process is supposed to work although I still cant get it to set up. I'm not sure I fully understand how it will work.

For example, I solo kick, now when I hit record on protools with an audio channel record enabled will the midi send a message to the motif to start playback and I can record the part right through?

Also how will this work for controlling the song sections as Im recording as each section of the song is on a different 'page'? motif users will know, the A/B/C/D etc?

Will this only work if I record the midi into protools because I was hoping to just record the audio. The whole idea is just to trigger it so everything records in sync.

Im on protools 6.4, if anybody has the time to talk me through step by step that would be greatly appreciated!!


In response to the other helpful posts, I tried arming the motif through the midi options then went to patter and hit play and the light stays on, this seems as though its armed to play back, just cant figure out how to set up the protools end.

That logic thing looked really cool although I've no idea what was happening, why were the parts organised in sequence like that? I've never used logic before but it looks pretty good!

Thanks again.

[Zionpro]

Originally Posted by Ace_TX

sometimes i wonder about some of the people on this board

Scott Storch and other "big name producers" have a 1 input soundcard and their keyboard workstations have a mono output

they have to play out each track in real time

nukmusic/Tony Belmont why'd you even bother responding... OP probably was trying to decipher the 2 rediculous posts prior to yours

So was my info incorrect or just RIDICULOUS in your not so humble opinion?

Seems the OP wanted to know how to track outboard gear...I'm not answering in relation to Storch just basics of tracking out from a keyboard...

[Tempest19]

Originally Posted by Zionpro

So was my info incorrect or just RIDICULOUS in your not so humble opinion?

Seems the OP wanted to know how to track outboard gear...I'm not answering in relation to Storch just basics of tracking out from a keyboard...

It wasnt ridiculous at all.

subsequently either or both approaches Im interested in :)

Just cant figure out how to apply these techniques to my set up :(

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by lpuma

He's talking about tracking outboard gear.

I know the OP was - I was referring to the post I quoted (which strictly speaking wasn't relevant to the discussion!)

[phillysoulman]

Im not "Storch"...dont really wanna be.(Musically,that is)
However, I do use a Motif,Triton,Fantom..etc.

What I do is set my keyboard to "External Sync", solo the track(s) you with to record to your DAW, in my case,Pro Tools.

Arm your track(s) to record in your DAW...set up a two bar pre roll..press record/play and....VOILA.

Its THAT easy.

[halfguard]

illynoise, audio & midi set up is your friend

[Tempest19]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Im not "Storch"...dont really wanna be.(Musically,that is)
However, I do use a Motif,Triton,Fantom..etc.

What I do is set my keyboard to "External Sync", solo the track(s) you with to record to your DAW, in my case,Pro Tools.

Arm your track(s) to record in your DAW...set up a two bar pre roll..press record/play and....VOILA.

Its THAT easy.

I tried the motif set up already suggested and couldnt get it to work.

How would I go about setting the motif up for 'external sync'?

I've actually lost my motif manual, its possibly in the loft!

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by Tempest19

I tried the motif set up already suggested and couldnt get it to work.

How would I go about setting the motif up for 'external sync'?

I've actually lost my motif manual, its possibly in the loft!

From experience,Ive discovered that the Motif should automatically read your sync from your host DAW.
Now,Im not a Logic user but it should work in that manner with any DAW.
Do you have your midi devices set up to send and receive Midi Clock/Midi Time Code?

[Tempest19]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

From experience,Ive discovered that the Motif should automatically read your sync from your host DAW.
Now,Im not a Logic user but it should work in that manner with any DAW.
Do you have your midi devices set up to send and receive Midi Clock/Midi Time Code?

Im a little slow when it comes to all this setting up so you're gonna have to spell it out for me.

Im on protools 6.4

midi out from 002 to motif in

set up motif sync to 'MIDI'

Not sure how to set it up in protools. I've been trying a whole load of things all day and its not working for me at all, its driving me crazy!

I'd greatly appreciate the help

[nukmusic]

did u check the box inside protools to generate midi?

as stated above, the Mofit will automatically pickup midi sync....regardless of what mode its in. (external/internal).

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by Tempest19

Im a little slow when it comes to all this setting up so you're gonna have to spell it out for me.

Im on protools 6.4

midi out from 002 to motif in

set up motif sync to 'MIDI'

Not sure how to set it up in protools. I've been trying a whole load of things all day and its not working for me at all, its driving me crazy!

I'd greatly appreciate the help

Set Up/Midi Studio
In there you list your devices(Keys) and their manufaturers and model
MidiBeat Clock..check the devices you are using.
That should do it.
And...make sure to set your tempo on your edit window, otherwise it will default to 120 bpm

[riteup3]

[OT]

call me old school
i play my motif in realtime into nuendo via a good DI box
i like this way of working much better
forces me to play tight - no midi editing allowed once the audio is in the box
workflow is a tad slower but i my music has never sounded so good - or rather ive never felt that good about it
[/OT]

ron

[Tempest19]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Set Up/Midi Studio
In there you list your devices(Keys) and their manufaturers and model
MidiBeat Clock..check the devices you are using.
That should do it.
And...make sure to set your tempo on your edit window, otherwise it will