Multiple Takes + Multiple Tracks + Logic Pro = A very messy arrange window...

[jgrif08]

Been using Logic for a little over a year now. Primarily I've been using it for my own hip hop arrangements using Reason and an external sampler / synth here and there.

Now I'm finally getting around to tracking some bands. Holding onto a handful of takes has turned my arrange window into a visual clusterf**k. What do you guys do to handle multiple takes in Logic? I LOVE the playlist function in PT (I know, I know, we're ALL hoping Logic 8 will have it).

I need some basic advice to help me keep track of it all and keep everything organized.

[Lawrence]

Does Logic have folder tracks? If so you might think about keeping your multiple takes in collapsable folders.

If not... try Nuendo. Lanes baby, lanes.

[jgrif08]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

Does Logic have folder tracks? If so you might think about keeping your multiple takes in collapsable folders.

If not... try Nuendo. Lanes baby, lanes.

I've heard people talk about folders of some sort in Logic but I know nothing about them or what they do. Anyone have any info on those?

EDIT: At least for now, I'm NOT considering switching DAW's so let's avoid any talk of that sort

[A440]

I find the H - Hide function useful...just mute and hide all tracks that you dont need for the moment..perhaps colourcoding your fav takes..then un-hide when you're ready to edit/comp etc..then hide what you dont need for the final mix..

works for me ..

[Lawrence]

Found reference to this with a quick google...

Logic has no concept of "takes", or of layered region management in the Arrange. There's no built-in take-management like DP or ProTools. Folders is the usual way to handle this:

Record pass 1, stop Pack folder Mute folder

Repeat for remaining takes, using the same 8 channels each time.

Unmute/solo/cut/comp folders as required

Once you get used to the process, it's pretty fast, and lets you manipulate an entire multitrack take as a single Arrange object.

Unpacking a folder is trickier, I forget whether "keep instrument" or "keep track" is the way to go to get things back out to the main Arrange (experiment).

If you're cycle-recording your takes without stopping, you'll be left with a track order that isn't laid out for easy selecting of each take's tracks.

[synthoid]

Yes, check out "collapse", "expand", and "track groups" in the manual. Also look into the "hide" feature -- you can hide tracks temporarily to get them out of the way.

Hide all tracks other than the takes you want to comp. Reduce them to one track by copying and pasting. Then highlight all the take tracks, collapse them to a single group, and hide the group.

Of course, this is still a far cry from a real take manager ...

I saw an interview online -- can't remember where or who was being interviewed -- of a producer working with a well-known female singer who said he actually *preferred* Logic for managing takes because it let you see all the takes simultaneously. Couldn't believe it...

-synthoid

[jgrif08]

Originally Posted by A440

I find the H - Hide function useful...just mute and hide all tracks that you dont need for the moment..perhaps colourcoding your fav takes..then un-hide when you're ready to edit/comp etc..then hide what you dont need for the final mix..

works for me ..

Speaking of color coding as a way to keep things organized...

Is there a way to make Logic, by default, assign each track its own color? For example, when you create say 10 audio tracks in PT they just automatically use different colors. I find that more appealing during tracking. Then I could go back and change colors as I see fit during mix down.

Right now, Logic just assigns the same color to all tracks of the same type, then I have to manually switch colors around.

By the way, thanks everyone for the thoughts so far. Gives me some great reference points to start searching on

[u b k]

i'm a folder wh*re. i create the folder for 'lead vocals', then go into that folder and do all my tracking there, so my main arrange is never cluttered.

when i finish comping, i put all the raw and unused takes into another folder.

i never unpack, there's no need. what i *will* do is bounce the comp'd track, then bring that back in on the main arrange. the lack of edits/crossfades keeps my disk and cpu hits to a minimum, and it looks cleaner to boot.


gregoire
del
ubk
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[lebouche]

are these folders something you create in the audio window or the arrange page
Thanks

[jgrif08]

Originally Posted by Brownsound

If you assign a colour to a track in the mixer, it will be transfered to subsequent recorded regions in the arrange page.

That wasn't really my question but it does give me a good idea. I'm just going to assign different colors across all the tracks in my mixer and save that as part of my template. thanks.

I second the question about folders. is that an audio window thing or an arrange window thing?

[Ashermusic]

Originally Posted by jgrif08

That wasn't really my question but it does give me a good idea. I'm just going to assign different colors across all the tracks in my mixer and save that as part of my template. thanks.

I second the question about folders. is that an audio window thing or an arrange window thing?

Arrange Window.

[jgrif08]

All right, I've messed around VERY briefly with the folder function. Two questions:

Once I create a folder, how do I name it? For instance, say I want to name it 'Take 1' and then name the next one I create 'Take 2' etc... ?

Also, I've noticed it opens a new Mixer window every time I create a folder. Why? Can I make it not do that. It's a PITA

[theblotted]

Originally Posted by synthoid

I saw an interview online -- can't remember where or who was being interviewed -- of a producer working with a well-known female singer who said he actually *preferred* Logic for managing takes because it let you see all the takes simultaneously. Couldn't believe it...

-synthoid

i'm not that producer, but i agree with his sentiments. the idea is akin to seeing all parameters on a console from above.

i actually scratch my head over only able to see 1 take at a time. walk me thru this one plz if anybody would kindly do so..

[Fredrik]

I agree on the use of folders to keep things nice and tidy, also try to make a screenset with audio window and arrange, can work as a substitute for the play list to some extent.

[jgrif08]

Bump: Still really wondering how to name folders? anyone?