Cockos Incorporated Forums - View Single Post

Bevosss · 11-04-2007, 09:59 PM

Edit:
This method has been replaced by a much faster method using SWS actions, thank you Breeder: http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=118061

================================================== ======================

Tempo Mapping a Freetime Song

EDIT: This action has been renamed, but still works the same:

Markers: Time signature measure from time selection, is now,

Markers:Create measure from time selection (detect tempo)

This new method is very fast and accurate, for getting the click in Reaper to run in sync with a song that hasn't been recorded to a click track. It's in 3 parts:

1. Play the song through in real time, and drop markers at the start of every bar (on the 'one').

2. Edit the markers for greater accuracy (optional, depending on whether close enough is good enough for the material).

3. Convert the markers to tempo markers (the markers actually still remain, but are quick to delete, or you can keep them in case of further editing later).

Part One - Dropping Markers

I would first find the starting bar of the song and drop a marker right there on the 'one'...you may want to delete any space before that point, although it's not necessary...(you can delete this first bar later on if you want, as long as you started converting markers from the project start.)

Then play the song right through in real time, and press 'M' on the 'one' of every bar. When you have finished, it's easy to drop another marker in if you missed one earlier on the first pass.

If you have a lot to do, you may want to map the Space bar to 'markers: insert marker at current position' temporarily, or make a new keymap with that mapping.

Part Two - Editing Markers

Firstly, scan through the song and check all the markers are in the correct position, and redo them if they are badly out. ..I use the kick drum in the song as the reference point, if it's available and tight. If you are happy enough with their position, ie it's 'close enough', then you can carry on to Part Three...otherwise, now we'll edit the markers position so they are completely synced with the kick (or whatever you prefer to use as your reference point.)

To speed up this process, I made a new keymap with the arrow keys mapped to these functions:

Up: Item Navigation: Move cursor to next transient in selected items
Down: Item Navigation: Move cursor to previous transient in selected items
Left: Markers: Previous marker/project start
Right: Markers: Next marker/project end

Make sure you have options-enable snapping checked, and the Kick Item(s) are selected so that Tab-to-Transient focuses only on the Kick (double-click the track to select all the items in the track). Increase the track height and zoom in a bit so you get a decent size to the kick. Now click on the first marker and examine it...if it's a bit late, hit the down arrow (previous transient) and the cursor will jump to an earlier transient...if it's early, hit Up (next transient) and the cursor will jump forward to the next transient.

If the cursor is on the correct transient, then just click on the marker and move it to the transient (with snapping enabled, you can just 'flick' the marker towards the cursor).

Hit the right arrow (next marker) and repeat the process. You can continue through like this quite fast, with your left hand on the arrow keys and your right hand on the mouse. Once you get to the end, give it a good scan over to make sure it's correct, and then go on to Part Three.

Part Three - Converting to Tempo Markers

This is actually the easy part...takes me about 7 seconds to do a 5 minute song! *You want your timebase set to time for this (in project properties).

You'll need this macro:

If like me you have Pref-Editing Behaviour-'Move edit cursor to start of loop selection on loop selection change' checked, then you will need to add a 5th action, Markers: Next marker/project end.

Hit home so the cursor is at the start of the project, then start hitting the macro key (or hold it down if that works for you, it's faster!...it's mapped to Numpad0 and ` here) until you reach the end of the project.

That's it! Now when you enable the metronome, it will play back in time with your newly mapped song...and also loops and tempo fx will sync with the song as well. How cool is that?

* Here's a keymap for the above mappings...it definitely speeds up editing the markers!

https://stash.reaper.fm/oldsb/29691/T...g.ReaperKeyMap

11-04-2007, 09:59 PM	#1
Bevosss Human being with feelings Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Oz Posts: 8,480	Tempo Mapping 101 Edit: This method has been replaced by a much faster method using SWS actions, thank you Breeder: http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=118061 ================================================== ====================== Tempo Mapping a Freetime Song EDIT: This action has been renamed, but still works the same: Markers: Time signature measure from time selection, is now, Markers:Create measure from time selection (detect tempo) This new method is very fast and accurate, for getting the click in Reaper to run in sync with a song that hasn't been recorded to a click track. It's in 3 parts: 1. Play the song through in real time, and drop markers at the start of every bar (on the 'one'). 2. Edit the markers for greater accuracy (optional, depending on whether close enough is good enough for the material). 3. Convert the markers to tempo markers (the markers actually still remain, but are quick to delete, or you can keep them in case of further editing later). Part One - Dropping Markers I would first find the starting bar of the song and drop a marker right there on the 'one'...you may want to delete any space before that point, although it's not necessary...(you can delete this first bar later on if you want, as long as you started converting markers from the project start.) Then play the song right through in real time, and press 'M' on the 'one' of every bar. When you have finished, it's easy to drop another marker in if you missed one earlier on the first pass. If you have a lot to do, you may want to map the Space bar to 'markers: insert marker at current position' temporarily, or make a new keymap with that mapping. Part Two - Editing Markers Firstly, scan through the song and check all the markers are in the correct position, and redo them if they are badly out. ..I use the kick drum in the song as the reference point, if it's available and tight. If you are happy enough with their position, ie it's 'close enough', then you can carry on to Part Three...otherwise, now we'll edit the markers position so they are completely synced with the kick (or whatever you prefer to use as your reference point.) To speed up this process, I made a new keymap with the arrow keys mapped to these functions: Up: Item Navigation: Move cursor to next transient in selected items Down: Item Navigation: Move cursor to previous transient in selected items Left: Markers: Previous marker/project start Right: Markers: Next marker/project end Make sure you have options-enable snapping checked, and the Kick Item(s) are selected so that Tab-to-Transient focuses only on the Kick (double-click the track to select all the items in the track). Increase the track height and zoom in a bit so you get a decent size to the kick. Now click on the first marker and examine it...if it's a bit late, hit the down arrow (previous transient) and the cursor will jump to an earlier transient...if it's early, hit Up (next transient) and the cursor will jump forward to the next transient. If the cursor is on the correct transient, then just click on the marker and move it to the transient (with snapping enabled, you can just 'flick' the marker towards the cursor). Hit the right arrow (next marker) and repeat the process. You can continue through like this quite fast, with your left hand on the arrow keys and your right hand on the mouse. Once you get to the end, give it a good scan over to make sure it's correct, and then go on to Part Three. Part Three - Converting to Tempo Markers This is actually the easy part...takes me about 7 seconds to do a 5 minute song! You want your timebase set to time for this (in project properties). You'll need this macro: If like me you have Pref-Editing Behaviour-'Move edit cursor to start of loop selection on loop selection change' checked, then you will need to add a 5th action, Markers: Next marker/project end. Hit home so the cursor is at the start of the project, then start hitting the macro key (or hold it down if that works for you, it's faster!...it's mapped to Numpad0 and ` here) until you reach the end of the project. That's it! Now when you enable the metronome, it will play back in time with your newly mapped song...and also loops and tempo fx will sync with the song as well. How cool is that? Here's a keymap for the above mappings...it definitely speeds up editing the markers! https://stash.reaper.fm/oldsb/29691/T...g.ReaperKeyMap __________________ The media are misleading the public about Syria: https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/...tcK/story.html Last edited by Bevosss; 05-25-2017 at 02:18 AM.