RE: Computer Based Looping Software (was RE: What machine can do this please?)

["Dj Devious D" <dj_devious_d@hotmail.com>]

You wrote:

       “Now I have a question for you, what could we add to SONAR (or 
change 
in it) that would reverse the 18:2 remix ratio you mentioned in your 
email?”
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That is an intriguing question.
Well, first maybe I should shed some light on what I do as a “remix” 
artist.
As a ReMix Artist, my sole task is to take existing tunes, and render them 
more dance, Dj, or radio friendly.
Sometimes a song does not have the correct 4/4 beat breaks, that make it 
mixable with other tunes. Sometimes the song is too long, and needs to be 
radio edited, or sometimes it just won’t work in a dance environment… that 
is when the remix Artist comes into play. Some may say that I am a 
glorified 
Dj, while others might deem me a God, but I am the one who enhances a 
songs 
potential.
“Huh…?” you stutter. What’s that got to do with Sonar, ACID or anything? 
Well when it comes to enhancing a song, I sometimes become a musician. I 
create musical nuances to add to my tapestry of sound, that’s where 
looping 
and beat matching come into play.
A lot of folks have read my raves on ACID, and what it can do, and a lot 
of 
that falls on deaf ears in this forum, for most of the folks Loop live 
with 
outboard hardware, whereas I sit in front of my PC, and Two Turntables. 
But, 
alas that will soon change… I will be heard, I will… oh I digress again.

I must also admit that I bought my copy of SONAR XL off of EBay, with a 
Korg 
KAOSS Pad. (I got it from an ex-Dj type, who was getting married, and he 
was 
selling his gear. I got the ORIGINAL Sonar CD’s, and The Kaoss Pad in mint 
condition for $275.00 USD,  which is a deal, since SONAR XL costs over 
$700.00 USD) So I was thrilled with my purchase. At the time, that was the 
combo, and in actuality I just wanted the KAOSS Pad. So Sonar sat around 
in 
my Software bin, for a week or so, until installed it, and wanted to do 
“Midi Magic”.

Now, I have used Cakewalk, Metro and a bevy of “Music” creation software, 
and since I am not a Notes, and Keys guy, that stuff was always… useless 
to 
me. I have had my best luck with “step recording” based apps, which allow 
me 
to “feel” the melody, like in FruityLoops or Orion Pro.

I find the SONAR interface to be, un-intuitive, and too pretentious. It’s 
great for folks, who have used Cakewalk since day one, but the “new” remix 
artist, needs something a bit more straight forward.


Let me outline what I do, typically in my remix.
1.  I identify the file – Sounds simple, but important.
2.  I calculate the BPM and song key before hand – very important in Beat 
Mixing.
3.  I slice the song up into parts, Chorus, Hook, Main Vocals, and 
instrumental    breaks.
4.  I then construct a pattern; a sort of 32 beats in 32 beats out so that 
the remix is uniform.
5.  I take a small 4 beat pattern, and slice it up, so that it adds 
variety 
to the composition, I add additional samples, and “instrumentation” also.
6.  I then reassemble these pieces, for the complete remix.

Sonar does not always give me that flexibility.
The few times I have used SONAR, was in a few cases where I wanted to add 
a 
midi sequence, and I wanted to remove an instrument that was in the 
sequence. ACID does not allow that, so SONAR was perfect… but my use of 
midi 
is a rare bird indeed.

Syncing up loops with different tempos is a bear in SONAR. I truly do not 
know how to perform this function. Now ACID allows tempo changes on the 
fly, 
and key changes, but SONAR, seems to be a little stiff in that department.
SONAR needs to be less clicky, and more drag and drop. I hate having to 
search through the menus for functions, and the functions are not always 
“labeled” appropriately.
Now, I have been in forums, with folks who use ACID, SONAR and apps in 
that 
vein, and they seem to be polarized.  ReMixers – Dj’s use ACID / Musicians 
use SONAR, and rarely do they meet.
I guess you guys could come up with SONACID or ACIDAR, but would that    
matter?
I learned a long time ago, one must cater to one’s audience. If SONAR is 
doing great business, with musicians buying it, what does it matter if a 
lone Dj/remix artist can’t really reap the rewards of the app? Cakewalk 
needs to “get that paper”.



Lucien E. Darthard
A Goal Is A Dream With A Deadline Placed On It.
http://ldarthard.ohgo.com/

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