Adding and Using Beat Tracks: Difference between revisions

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''This is based on version 11V.''


====Introduction====
====Introduction====
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[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_AddChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-5]]
First, channels must be added so you can use them as beat tracks.   
First, channels must be added so you can use them as beat tracks.   
*Open the ''Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels)''
*Open the ''Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels)''
*Since we are going to look at three different ways to create a beat track, go ahead and Add 3 channels named "Beat".
*Since we are going to look at three different ways to create a beat track, go ahead and Add 3 channels named "Beat".
*Keep the Universe as '''0''' since these channels will not be associated with real output.
*Keep the Universe as '''0''' since these channels will not be associated with real output.
*Use the color Selector to set colors for your beat tracks (see figure).
*Use the color Selector to set colors for your beat tracks (see Figure 5-5).
*When done, select ''Save Changes''.
*When done, select ''Save Changes''.
<br />
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====Setting Display Group for Beat Track====
====Setting Display Group for Beat Track====
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*Next, assign all of the beat tracks into their own [[Creating a Display Group | Display Group]].  
[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_AddDisplayGroup_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-6]]
*Create a Display Group named "Beat" and add all three channels (See Figure).
*Next, assign all of the beat tracks into their own [[Configuring Display Groups | Display Group]].  
*Create a Display Group named "Beat" and add all three channels (See Figure 5-6).
*Set the "Beat" display group as the group to work with.
*Set the "Beat" display group as the group to work with.
<br />
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====Beat Track From Clicks====
====Beat Track From Clicks====
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Creating a Beat Track from Clicks is one of the easiest ways to create a Beat Track.  Clicks must be quick and not everything will line up perfectly, but it can give reasonably good results.
Creating a Beat Track from Clicks is one of the easiest ways to create a Beat Track.  Clicks must be quick and not everything will line up perfectly, but it can give reasonably good results.


*Activate the Beat Track by clicking ''Manage Channels -> Select a Beat Track Channel''. (See Figure)
[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_SelectBeatTrackChannel_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-7]]
*Select the Beat Track you want to use and click ''OK''.
*Activate the Beat Track by clicking ''Manage Channels -> Select a Beat Track Channel''.
*Check the box ''Beat Track Active'' to let HLS know that you are planning to record clicks for a beat track.
*Select the Beat Track you want to use and click ''OK'' (See Figure 5-7).
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[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_BeatTrackActive_11V.png‎|350px|thumb|Figure 5-8]]
*Check the box ''Beat Track Active'' to let HLS know that you are planning to record clicks for a beat track (see Figure 5-8).
*Press the ''Play / Pause'' button to play the song.
*Press the ''Play / Pause'' button to play the song.
*Press the '''CTRL'' key or the '''Left Mouse''' button at each beat in the song.
*Press the ''CTRL'' key or the '''Left Mouse''' button at each beat in the song.
*When the song is complete, there will be two grid spaces filled in at every click received. Your beat track has been created. (See Figure)
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<br />
 
[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_ClickTrack_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-9]]
*When the song is complete, there will be two grid cells filled in at every click received. Your beat track has been created. (See Figure 5-9)
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====Beat Track from Filters====
====Beat Track from Filters====
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Section needs to be completed.
How to use the filters/link to audio file page.
Filling in squares for beat track.
<br />


====Cleaning up a Beat Track====
This is a very powerful feature of HLS and one that can come in handy when setting up beat tracks.  You get to this by clicking ''Audio File -> Apply Lo or Hi Pass Filter or Band Pass''.  The ''DSP Filtering'' window will open (See Figure 5-10).
----


Whether manually clicking or using filters, some of the beat track marks may be slightly off from where you want them.  You can slow a song down and use the oscillioscope to "cleanup" the marks.
[[File:DSP-Filtering.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-10]]
*To move a mark left or right, Click on the FIRST grid-square, release the mouse button, and then move it using the mouse and dragging.
*When the timing mark is placed where you want it, click on it again (or press escape) to exit editing mode.
<br />


====Setting Beat Track as a Sticky Channel====
*'''Hi Pass Filter:''' This filter will filter the audio to only show the portions that are in higher frequencies, such as a female vocal or high (in pitch, not volume) notes.
----
**Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-pass_filter High Pass Filter]
*'''Lo Pass Filter:''' This filter will filter the audio to only show the portions that are in lower frequencies, such as bass drum and other low (in pitch, not volume) notes.
**Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-pass_filter Low Pass Filter]
*'''Band Pass filter:''' This filters on BOTH high and low frequencies.  The ''Frequency'' value is the "desired" frequency.  A band pass filter will filter OUT both the high and low frequencies that are further away from that frequency.
**Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-pass_filter Band Pass Filter]
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You can set a single beat track or multiple tracks (up to three) to remain "stuck" to the top of the sequencing window by setting [[Sticky Channels]].
<br />


====Old Version====
'''Applying the Filter:'''
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Let’s add a beat track. We will also illustrate another feature that can be used in HLS. Remember that we put our actual outputs in Universe 1. Our beat tracks do not have to be real output channels. We will add some outputs in Universe o to use for beat tracks and for other things.<br />
Choose '''Manage Channels''' from the top tab and then '''Manage Raw Channels'''. For this example we will add 8 channels in Universe 0 (see Figure 1-37)..<br />


First right next to the '''Number to Add/Replace Value''' entry enter 8.  
[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_NormalAudio.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-11a]]
   
[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_DSPFilter.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-11b]]
Figure 1-37.<br />
*Choose the filter you wish to use, enter the needed information, and click ''OK''.  You can also use the "Stay Here" option to apply the filter and continue working with the audio without closing the Filtering window. (See Figure 5-11a and 5-11b for an example of the audio before and after applying an 8 khz filter to attempt to isolate a cymbal sound.)
[[File:Figure1-37.png]]
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[[File:HLS_BeatTrack_2.png|350px|thumb|Figure 5-12]]
*Once the sound has been isolated, manually add effects where the sound is present.  In the example, Beat Track 2 is being used to mark two cells with a Level effect at each cymbal sound (see Figure 5-12).


Next, change the '''Universe #''' entry.  0 was entered for the Universe #. Next, the starting channel entry was changed to 25 (remember that the Renard outputs will be using 1-24).<br />
Once these three changes have been made, click on the '''Add''' button to actually add the new channels. You have now added 8 channels in Universe 0, starting at channel 25 (see Figure 1-38).
Figure 1-38.<br />
[[File:Figure1-38.png]]


*'''Tip:''' To speed up this process, you may find that using the CLICK filter AFTER applying the DSP filter will allow you to click accurately with the sound you want isolated rather than manually drawing in the effects.


If you scroll down to see the 8 new channels that were added for universe 0 you will see what is shown in Figure 1-39.
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Figure 1-39.<br />
[[File:Figure1-39.png]]


*Once finished with the filter, return the audio to normal by choosing ''Audio File -> Remove Filter''.


Next the names of the 8 channels were changed and colors were changed for each channel (see Figure 1-40). The first three were named Beat_Track_1, 2, and 3. Then the next three were named Low or hi pass filter beat tracks. Note that there are high and low pass filter tools available under the WAV File tab at the top of HLS. You can set parameters for low or hi pass filters, and then use the O-scope display and create beat tracks also.
Channels 7 and 8 were named Any_Use showing that channels can be used for anything you want. You may want to build effects on extra channels and then copy them to your actual outputs, for example.
Figure 1-40.<br />
[[File:Figure1-40.png]]


'''Common Sound Frequencies:'''


''If you are still in the Simulator screen you will need to switch back to the '''Channel View''' screen. Choose the '''Manage Channels''' tab and then select '''Restore Channel View from Sequence Paint''' and the sequence editor should appear. Note that we can also go to the '''Sequence Paint''' screen from the '''Manage Channels''' tab.''
*''200 Hz and below:'' The bass of the mix. The bottom end of the sound.
*''200 – 400 Hz:'' The body of the low end instruments.
*''400 Hz – 1 kHz:'' The low mid/mid area of the mix. The body of guitars and vocals reside here.
*''1 – 3 kHz:'' Snare drums and kicks start in this range and extend almost to 4 kHz.
*''4 – 8 kHz:'' High-mids, the top end of most drums, guitars, and organs. Also the body of cymbals is in this range, bottoming out in 3 kHz range.
*''8 – 10 kHz:'' Cymbals mostly live here.  You’ll also find the top end of vocals here.
*Summarized from: [http://abovegroundmagazine.com/columns/pro-logic/10/26/understanding-sound-frequency-a-guide-to-hz-and-khz/ abovegroundmagazine.com]
<br />


Next we will create a group that includes our two trees and a beat track channel. Choose the Manage Channels tab at the top and then the '''Select Channels and Assign to Group''' selection. The screen shown in Figure 1-41 will appear. Click on the Check boxes under the '''Work''' column for every channel to be included in this group. In this example 1-6 and 25 were checked. These represent the 6 output channels for our two trees and the one for a beat channel. Six are real outputs and the beat channel is in universe 0 so it is not an actual output. Then a name (Both_Trees_And_Beat_Track_1) was entered for the new group name and the Save Changes button was clicked. Now we have created a group that includes 2 trees and the beat track and named it Both_Trees_And_Beat_Track_1.
'''Visual chart of instruments and frequency ranges: [http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm frequency chart]
Figure 1-41.<br />
[[File:Figure1-41.png]]




Next we will add the actual beat track. To add a beat track, put a check mark in the '''Beat Track Active''' check box on the top left of HLS (see Figure 1-42). Next you must specify a channel for the beat track. When we created the group named Both_Trees_And_Beat_Track_1, we added an extra output channel (number 25). We will use channel 25 (Beat_Track_1) for the beat track.
'''Video'''
Figure 1-42.<br />
[[File:Figure1-42.png]]


Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and then the '''Select a Beat Track Channel''' choice. In Figure 1-43 the channel named Beat_Track_1 was chosen to be the beat track.  
*Watch this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOwrz-P5Bf0#t=3m22s video] uploaded by Joe Hinkle. (Note: This video link starts at the 3:22 mark, where discussion of the DSP filtering begins.)
<br /><br />
Figure 1-43.<br />
[[File:Figure1-43.png]]


Select the channel you want to be used for the beat track and then choose '''OK'''.
====Cleaning up a Beat Track====
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Next you must turn the '''Preview Sequence''' check box off (upper tight in Figure 1-44), if it is on (upper right of HLS).  Note the '''Beat Active''' Check box has been checked.
Whether manually clicking or using filters, some of the beat track marks may be slightly off from where you want them.  You can slow a song down and use the oscillioscope to "cleanup" the marks.
*To move a mark left or right, Click on the FIRST grid-square, release the mouse button, and then move it using the mouse and dragging.
Figure 1-44.<br />
*When the timing mark is placed where you want it, click on it again (or press escape) to exit selection mode.
[[File:Figure1-44.png]]
<br />


====Setting Beat Track as a Sticky Channel====
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Now we are ready to create a beat track. Hit the '''Play''' button (upper left on HLS) and then tap either the '''CTRL''' key or the '''left mouse button''' to create the beats. The beats will be shown as two filled cells for each beat (see Figure 1-45).
You can set a single beat track or multiple tracks (up to three) to remain "stuck" to the top of the sequencing window by setting [[Sticky Channels]].
<br />
Figure 1-45.<br />
[[File:Figure1-45.png]]


<noinclude>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]
|-
! align="center"|Previous Page
! align="center"|Current Chapter
! align="center"|Next Page
|-
| align="center" | [[Creating Basic Effects]]
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]
| align="center" | [[Setting Defaults for Effects]]
|}
<br />


[[Category:HLS User Manual]]
[[Category:HLS]]
[[Category:HLS]]
[[Category:DIYC Index]]
</noinclude>

Latest revision as of 05:48, 24 March 2013

Introduction

A Beat Track is a "channel" which is not actually assigned to any output. It's only purpose is to have markers in the sequence which have been set at points where a beat or some other repetitive musical component is found in a song. A beat track helps easily sequence movements between lighting channels so that the movements fall at appropriate musical points. An example would be an arch that moves from one end to another between two beat marks.

HLS supports creating beat tracks in a couple of ways. One way is to manually press a button or click a mouse while a song is playing to set the beat. Another way would be to apply a filter to the audio and then manually "turn on" the beat track at points identified through the filter.

Add Beat Track Channels

Figure 5-5

First, channels must be added so you can use them as beat tracks.

  • Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels)
  • Since we are going to look at three different ways to create a beat track, go ahead and Add 3 channels named "Beat".
  • Keep the Universe as 0 since these channels will not be associated with real output.
  • Use the color Selector to set colors for your beat tracks (see Figure 5-5).
  • When done, select Save Changes.


Setting Display Group for Beat Track

Figure 5-6
  • Next, assign all of the beat tracks into their own Display Group.
  • Create a Display Group named "Beat" and add all three channels (See Figure 5-6).
  • Set the "Beat" display group as the group to work with.


Beat Track From Clicks

Creating a Beat Track from Clicks is one of the easiest ways to create a Beat Track. Clicks must be quick and not everything will line up perfectly, but it can give reasonably good results.

Figure 5-7
  • Activate the Beat Track by clicking Manage Channels -> Select a Beat Track Channel.
  • Select the Beat Track you want to use and click OK (See Figure 5-7).


Figure 5-8
  • Check the box Beat Track Active to let HLS know that you are planning to record clicks for a beat track (see Figure 5-8).
  • Press the Play / Pause button to play the song.
  • Press the CTRL key or the Left Mouse button at each beat in the song.


Figure 5-9
  • When the song is complete, there will be two grid cells filled in at every click received. Your beat track has been created. (See Figure 5-9)


Beat Track from Filters

This is a very powerful feature of HLS and one that can come in handy when setting up beat tracks. You get to this by clicking Audio File -> Apply Lo or Hi Pass Filter or Band Pass. The DSP Filtering window will open (See Figure 5-10).

Figure 5-10
  • Hi Pass Filter: This filter will filter the audio to only show the portions that are in higher frequencies, such as a female vocal or high (in pitch, not volume) notes.
  • Lo Pass Filter: This filter will filter the audio to only show the portions that are in lower frequencies, such as bass drum and other low (in pitch, not volume) notes.
  • Band Pass filter: This filters on BOTH high and low frequencies. The Frequency value is the "desired" frequency. A band pass filter will filter OUT both the high and low frequencies that are further away from that frequency.



Applying the Filter:

Figure 5-11a
Figure 5-11b
  • Choose the filter you wish to use, enter the needed information, and click OK. You can also use the "Stay Here" option to apply the filter and continue working with the audio without closing the Filtering window. (See Figure 5-11a and 5-11b for an example of the audio before and after applying an 8 khz filter to attempt to isolate a cymbal sound.)


Figure 5-12
  • Once the sound has been isolated, manually add effects where the sound is present. In the example, Beat Track 2 is being used to mark two cells with a Level effect at each cymbal sound (see Figure 5-12).


  • Tip: To speed up this process, you may find that using the CLICK filter AFTER applying the DSP filter will allow you to click accurately with the sound you want isolated rather than manually drawing in the effects.


  • Once finished with the filter, return the audio to normal by choosing Audio File -> Remove Filter.


Common Sound Frequencies:

  • 200 Hz and below: The bass of the mix. The bottom end of the sound.
  • 200 – 400 Hz: The body of the low end instruments.
  • 400 Hz – 1 kHz: The low mid/mid area of the mix. The body of guitars and vocals reside here.
  • 1 – 3 kHz: Snare drums and kicks start in this range and extend almost to 4 kHz.
  • 4 – 8 kHz: High-mids, the top end of most drums, guitars, and organs. Also the body of cymbals is in this range, bottoming out in 3 kHz range.
  • 8 – 10 kHz: Cymbals mostly live here. You’ll also find the top end of vocals here.
  • Summarized from: abovegroundmagazine.com


Visual chart of instruments and frequency ranges: frequency chart


Video

  • Watch this video uploaded by Joe Hinkle. (Note: This video link starts at the 3:22 mark, where discussion of the DSP filtering begins.)



Cleaning up a Beat Track

Whether manually clicking or using filters, some of the beat track marks may be slightly off from where you want them. You can slow a song down and use the oscillioscope to "cleanup" the marks.

  • To move a mark left or right, Click on the FIRST grid-square, release the mouse button, and then move it using the mouse and dragging.
  • When the timing mark is placed where you want it, click on it again (or press escape) to exit selection mode.


Setting Beat Track as a Sticky Channel

You can set a single beat track or multiple tracks (up to three) to remain "stuck" to the top of the sequencing window by setting Sticky Channels.


HLS User Manual and Reference Guide
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Creating Basic Effects Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects Setting Defaults for Effects


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