Working with loops in Metro

[braj]

I got GarageBand last Friday and am very impressed with the easy way it deals with loops. I thought I wouldn't get into looped drum tracks, but it works out great and I did a lot more composing as opposed to tweaking settings than I ever have in any other program. But GarageBand has a lot of limitations and I had some questions about doing similar things in Metro:

1. How do you move around multiple samples in Metro? It really seems cumbersome. Am I missing something? I always get weird results (clicks, truncated bits, etc).
2. Could Metro eventually use Apple Loops in some future revision? I understand it is an open format.
3. GarageBand's instruments are really nice. Is it possible that Metro can use them in the future as well?

For straight Midi recording, Metro kills GarageBand, but I'm still struggling with getting loops to play nice. What's the secret?

[kaboombahchuck]

Using audio loops can be tricky, I generally treat them like midi. Each different sounding loop needs it's own audio trac. Loops need to start a zero crossing, if not there will be pops, ect.. and generally should end at zero crossing (unless the loops are attached, explination comming up). It is important to prep the loops before using them. Here is what I do. Import the loop, prep (if needed). Then I slide it to where I want it in the song... In the track window I highlight the loop in question from where it begins to where it ends, this will put it in a box with the moving dashes, then I click near the biginning and slide to the time where I want it. Then if I want the loop to repeat it's self I go to the graphic editor, highliglt the portion I want to continually repeat, choose edit, copy, then click where I want to start it repeating (usually 4, 8, 12,, beat loops) choose edit, paste and (choose the amount of times to repeat) and done. If you have cymbol crashes and the end of a loop, it will usually be cut short using this method, so it is a good idea not to use that type of loop, other wise you will want to use a sampler (like VSamp) for that type of app. I do this method for each loop, giving each loop it's own audio track. Usually I'll make all the loop tracks the liength of the song, this makes for easer fading in and out without continually placing loops.

[braj]

Nah, I'll just make the loop track in GarageBand, then import it into Metro. That seems much simpler.I'll just have to make sure the tempo is the same between the two apps first, and I should be set. What you describe is a non-intuitive drag of a chore.

I'm learning how to use the strengths of both apps, and ignore the weaknesses. I guess that's how it should be.

[Jerm]

1. How do you move around multiple samples in Metro? It really seems cumbersome. Am I missing something? I always get weird results (clicks, truncated bits, etc).

Have you tried turning on audio region editing?

2. Could Metro eventually use Apple Loops in some future revision? I understand it is an open format.

Please provide a link to the documentation.

3. GarageBand's instruments are really nice. Is it possible that Metro can use them in the future as well?

It is possible if we had some idea on how they work. When I get some time I will have to get GB and take a look at it.

[braj]

I'm not sure of the details, but I heard Steve Jobs say it is an open format.

Actually, you can use Apple Loops in Metro right now, though I'm not sure how 'flexible' they are ie. changing tempos etc.

Yeah, I can move them, but there are still clicks etc. You really should try GarageBand, it deals with loops without issue. It just works. I even created my own loops out of .wav files of drum beats and it worked perfectly, no audio issues at all. I didn't have to adjust anything.

Anyway, for loops and drum tracks, unless I want to program the drums myself, I'll use GarageBand. It just works better. But for mastering and using VST and AU synths, changing subtle controller info, and using the spray tool, I'll stick with Metro. Also, drum loops are fine, but when you start getting into the rest of a musical composition, the canned loops make the piece less than your own.

I do think that Metro needs a UI overhaul though. Working in GarageBand is a dream, even though it has it's limitations. It seems I'm always fighting to find stuff, set up stuff, and get windows that I don't want to see out of my face in Metro.