Workflow

[Bryan T]

What is your workflow?

I'm trying to combine 4 elements: Numerology for sequencing/triggering, my Moog Little Phatty for generating audio, Cubase for recording audio from Numerology and the Moog, and Cubase for recording/playing other audio and some soft synths.

I'm having a hard time getting everything to work together for a smooth workflow. Numerology and the Moog get along well together, but I run into issues when I try to record the audio into Cubase, due to time lags with the transport.

Cubase and Numerology don't get along particularly well due to time lags in general. For example, if Cubase is set to record and I hit play in Numerology there is an quarter beat delay (it varies) before things start recording.

What I dream of doing is playing audio in Cubase that is synchronized with sequences in Numerology triggering my Moog so that I can tweak things on the fly, all while recording the audio into Cubase. So far, not so good.

I'd love to hear about your workflow and how you've combined soft synths, real synth, Numerology, and a recording program.

Thanks!
Bryan

[Bryan T]

I've also considered just using Numerology as the basis for tracks, dumping the sequenced MIDI output into Cubase, and working with audio from there. It is a bit more limiting, but could be more practical.

Bryan

[Per Boysen]

Hy Bryan,

If I were in your situation I would close down Cubase (are you trying
to run them all on the same machine?) and do the stuff with Numerology
with a recording plug-in slapped over some channel, preferably the
master output. Either I'd use the Plogue Bidule AU that has an
excellent audio recorder or I'd just snag the stream with Audio
Hi-Jack Pro. Then I would close down Numerology and import that file
into Cubase, set up a matching tempo map and keep working on
additionals and swetening.

That's similar to my workflow here, except that I use Logic and pipe
audio directly from the Numerology laptop through digital connection
into Logic on another box. That's when working with real-time sampled
audio input. When working with MIDI sequenced synths - like you do - I
have not gravitated towards any favorite method yet. I'd like to use
the Logic synths because I like their sound and the vibe I can get by
using Logic's global setting for micro tonal keys. ReWire sync has
been a bit flaky lately so I tend to sync the two applications by MTC
(there's a great "MTC how-to" by Jim somewhere on the forum).


On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 7:38 PM, Bryan T <> wrote:

> What is your workflow?



> I'd love to hear about your workflow and how you've combined soft synths, real synth, Numerology, and a recording program.

[Bryan T]

Per,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your input.

What would you do if you were working with adding Numerology sequencing to an existing audio track? I was thinking about loading the audio file into the sampler within Numerology, sequencing everything, and then bouncing all of the audio individually. I'd then mix everything later in Pro Tools or Cubase.

Does that seem reasonable?

I wish I could do it all without importing/bouncing audio, but I don't think that's feasible due to latency issues.

Bryan

[Per Boysen]

What would you do if you were working with adding Numerology sequencing to an existing audio track?
Well, that's a difficult question. The more I work with music the less "answers" I tend to believe in. It would all depend on what the audio track sounded as. But generally I think the strength of Numerology is to use it independently of other things. One strong point in Numerology for me is the option of making sequences that go far out but still keep the global groove, or at least comes back to it after the craziest parts. I guess I would rather simply listen to the audio track and then mock up something in Numerology that I think would go well with it - then export the Numerology part as an audio file into Logic and goof around with it there. Converting it into Apple Loops in order to have the option of cutting slices and transpose them. Or reverse them... Doing the old-school DnB cut-up thing to the entire Numerology track audio. Wow - that's an inspiring idea! Got to try that out soon! :-))

I'm finding it easy to adapt things, like different audio tracks, in Logic. Much easier than for example sync Logic and Num and get a good groove going. But that would be the coolest thing... the day ReWire locks up well enough ('cause the point is to use Numerology's micro timing instead of Logic's)

[Bryan T]

Anyone else want to throw in their 2 cents?

[john brennan]

I thought Id add my input
Ive been studying music technology for two years and have concentrated on logic and pro tools . Im no numerology master but the way I look at it is as an instrument all to its self . When I first got N2 I was spending way too much time trying to get it running with with the other programs and It ruined my workflow . So I concentrate on trying to use N2 to its fullest and try get a track as complete as I can using as much as N2s features (effects timeline for arranging ect) then if its required I export it as a audio file and bounce it into pro tools and do any edits on it there . Also as far as chopping and arranging samples goes there are lots of plug ins available as Im sure you know that will alloe you to chop and reverse samples and trigger them in N2 .
I think N2 in stand alone mode is the way to go
Just think how long it takes to learn a more traditional instrument and apply the same period to N2 .
John

[Bryan T]

Thanks for the input. I'm mainly using N2 on its own right now, but I ultimately do want to incorporate it with previously recorded audio, hopefully in a way that I can 'play' N2 in response to that audio.

[jim]

Just a few general comments:

When I'm working with Numerology, I use it as the primary composition device, and use Digital Performer on another computer purely as a tape recorder -- no sync, and often no MIDI. I record what I'm doing, as well as anyone else involved, then go back later to review and edit the material. This is actually much like an 'old school' studio flow: record sessions to tape, then go back to edit & mix. Although it can be very nice to quickly switch between composition, performance, editing and mixing in a DAW environment, I think there are also some serious downsides.

On the remix front, I would recommend syncing Numerology to Cubase via MIDI Clock, either using AUs in Numerology, or plugins in Cubase (drive them via MIDI). When you've got something you like (judging by ear), record the result (as MIDI or audio), then tweak the timing offset after it's recorded.

On a final note, I'm very aware that integration remains an issue -- more for some than for others. I'm working on some solutions and should have some announcements to make in a few weeks.

Cheers,
Jim