Creating loops in Cubase

[dreamsongs]

This is something I haven't done yet as I didn't feel the need, but I think I might have to now.

I am working on a pop project with some wickedly difficult guitar riffs in the verses. I'd like to record one perfect take and connect them all together throughout the verse parts without having to play them 20 times in a row.

What's the easiest way to do this and not have it be noticeable ?

IOW, how do I connect them and not have them sound chopped off ?

Thanks for your input

[dreamsongs]

Where are those Cubase guys when you need'em...?

[marcan]

you can repeat them (you have to specify the bpm) and make the same crossfade on them (select all the pieces and crossfade).

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by marcan

you can repeat them (you have to specify the bpm) and make the same crossfade on them (select all the pieces and crossfade).

Please give me more details because it's one thing I've never done yet...

Thanks...

[Kiwiburger]

I think the basic principle is the same for any DAW.

I generally use Cubase SX in Bars & Beats mode, since I usually start off with a midi guide track. In that mode, it's very easy to cut audio (using the scissor tool) exactly on the bar, or beat. That means it's extremely easy to cut up several takes on different tracks, and assemble them on another track, without losing sync with the tempo track. Use "snap to grid" to ensure you cut exactly on a beat, and that any moved parts snap exactly onto a beat. It's just like joining Lego blocks together.

Most guitar licks have natural silences between the phrases. Thats the best place to make the cuts. If necessary, use fade in's and fade's at the start and end of each audio event. But assumming the noise floor is constant, and that the player makes nicely muted silences, I don't think this is always necessary. An expander/gate (if used) would mask any joins. Or automate the fader.

If you have tracked in real time (minutes/seconds rather than bars/beats) I think it's much harder because you have to worry more about timing. If the phrases are in exactly the same place on the different tracks, that's not too difficult. But if you want to be able to move and assemble phrases completely randomly, I think bars and beats are the best way.

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by Kiwiburger

I think the basic principle is the same for any DAW.

I generally use Cubase SX in Bars & Beats mode, since I usually start off with a midi guide track. In that mode, it's very easy to cut audio (using the scissor tool) exactly on the bar, or beat. That means it's extremely easy to cut up several takes on different tracks, and assemble them on another track, without losing sync with the tempo track. Use "snap to grid" to ensure you cut exactly on a beat, and that any moved parts snap exactly onto a beat. It's just like joining Lego blocks together.

Most guitar licks have natural silences between the phrases. Thats the best place to make the cuts. If necessary, use fade in's and fade's at the start and end of each audio event. But assumming the noise floor is constant, and that the player makes nicely muted silences, I don't think this is always necessary. An expander/gate (if used) would mask any joins. Or automate the fader.

If you have tracked in real time (minutes/seconds rather than bars/beats) I think it's much harder because you have to worry more about timing. If the phrases are in exactly the same place on the different tracks, that's not too difficult. But if you want to be able to move and assemble phrases completely randomly, I think bars and beats are the best way.

Thanks for answering Kiwi...

Let me get this straight...

Let's say I have a riff that's 4 bars long that I want to repeat throughout the verses.

What tool do I use to create the loop from the existing riff that's sitting on a track ?
What if the riff doesn't exactly start on the beat ? How does it snap into place then ?

[Cojo]

Do like this:

Record you riff, if you want a four bar riff it's better to record at least eight. Because when you loop them as four bar you don't want to loop the first four bar since you don't have the decay from the previous riff there. So, place the first four bars first then the second four bars and continue looping the second four bars until you have enough loops.

When you cut the parts of the loops, have snap to beats on and then zoom in and adjust the fade in/out on the part BEFORE copying it out after each other. And make sure you snap to beat.

If your first riff isn't starting at the first bar then you can adjust the start of that part by going to the sample editor and drag the start point of that sample. You get to the sample editor by dubble clicking that track.

Easy as cake!

/Cojo

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by Cojo

Do like this:

Record you riff, if you want a four bar riff it's better to record at least eight. Because when you loop them as four bar you don't want to loop the first four bar since you don't have the decay from the previous riff there. So, place the first four bars first then the second four bars and continue looping the second four bars until you have enough loops.

When you cut the parts of the loops, have snap to beats on and then zoom in and adjust the fade in/out on the part BEFORE copying it out after each other. And make sure you snap to beat.

If your first riff isn't starting at the first bar then you can adjust the start of that part by going to the sample editor and drag the start point of that sample. You get to the sample editor by dubble clicking that track.

Easy as cake!

/Cojo

Do I have to go to the sample editor to cut the loops or just use the scissors right on the track ?

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

Do I have to go to the sample editor to cut the loops or just use the scissors right on the track ?

No you don't. I just cut the loops with the scissor tool right in the arange window!

/Cojo