Less hardcoding of audio, more MIDI

This commit is contained in:
Alexandre Prokoudine 2022-08-21 04:12:12 +03:00
parent 1987360258
commit 3740c711ee
1 changed files with 26 additions and 17 deletions

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@ -5,10 +5,21 @@ weight = 3
#pre = "<b>1. </b>" #pre = "<b>1. </b>"
+++ +++
## What is an audio track? ## What are tracks?
An _audio track_ is a place where you can drag a _region_ from your region A track typically represents a part played with one instrument or sung with
list and where you can record sounds coming from an outside source. voice. That part can start in the very beginning and finish at the very end of
a song. Or there can be multiple occurences of that instrument/voice within a
song, in which case there will likely be multiple _regions_, or _clips_,
inside a track.
A region is just a portion of audio or MIDI data. For example, a 'Lead guitar'
track can have several regions, one per each solo. Meanwhile, a 'Drums' track
could be just one huge MIDI region spanning the entire song.
An _audio_ track is usually self-contained as it has all the data to play back
music. A _MIDI_ track, however, is comprised of instructions that need to be
interpreted and executed to provide actual sound to listen to.
A region represents an audio clip, i.e., one of your sound files or just a A region represents an audio clip, i.e., one of your sound files or just a
portion of a sound file. In the image below, the horizontal strip areas marked portion of a sound file. In the image below, the horizontal strip areas marked
@ -18,16 +29,19 @@ contained within *MyTrack*).
{{< figure alt="Tracks" src="en/Ardour6_Tracks.png" >}} {{< figure alt="Tracks" src="en/Ardour6_Tracks.png" >}}
## What is a bus? ## What are busses?
A _bus_ is similar to a track except that it does not contain its own regions. A _bus_ is similar to a track except that it does not contain its own regions.
You cannot record directly into a bus or drag regions into it. However, you You cannot record directly into a bus or drag regions into it. However, you
can add plugins to a bus and then feed the output of multiple tracks into that can add plugins to a bus and then feed the output of multiple tracks into that
bus (see below for details). bus (see below for details).
A MIDI bus is similar to an audio bus: no regions, just processing incoming
stream of data and outputting processed data.
The area marked _Master_ in your session is an example of a bus. Typically The area marked _Master_ in your session is an example of a bus. Typically
every session has a _Master_ bus. All the audio to be exported from your every session has a _Master_ bus. All the audio to be exported from your
session will be sent to the Master Bus. session will be sent to the Master bus.
## How are tracks and busses used? ## How are tracks and busses used?
@ -42,14 +56,13 @@ you would call '*drum bus*'. Then, if you decide that all your drum tracks are
too loud, you can quickly adjust the level of the '*drum bus*' rather than too loud, you can quickly adjust the level of the '*drum bus*' rather than
adjusting each separate track that feeds into it. adjusting each separate track that feeds into it.
Another use of a Bus would be to have a common reverberation plugin, so that any Another use of a bus would be to have a common reverberation plugin, so that any
audio track which requires the reverb effect could be routed to a single bus. audio track which requires the reverb effect could be routed to a single bus.
## Adding tracks and busses ## Adding tracks and busses
**Right-click** in the empty area beneath any existing tracks and busses. **Right-click** in the empty area beneath any existing tracks and busses.
Alternatively, click on the menu `Track > Add track, Bus, or VCA...` (shortcut Alternatively, click on the menu `Track > Add track, Bus, or VCA...` (**Ctrl+Shift+N** shortcut). The following window will appear:
**Ctrl + Shift + N**). The following window will appear:
{{< figure alt="Add track" src="en/Ardour6_Add_Track_or_Bus.png" >}} {{< figure alt="Add track" src="en/Ardour6_Add_Track_or_Bus.png" >}}
@ -58,7 +71,7 @@ This tutorial will only cover audio tracks and busses. (see the [Ardour
manual](http://manual.ardour.org/working-with-tracks/track-types/) for details manual](http://manual.ardour.org/working-with-tracks/track-types/) for details
on all track types or their brief explanation in a section below). on all track types or their brief explanation in a section below).
Choose _Audio tracks_ or _Audio busses_ to specify whether you want to create Choose _Audio tracks_ or _Audio busses_ to specify whether you want to create audio
tracks or busses. tracks or busses.
The _Add_ numeric input box lets you specify how many tracks (or busses) you would The _Add_ numeric input box lets you specify how many tracks (or busses) you would
@ -72,6 +85,9 @@ to import a clip from an existing song and place it on this track, choose
_Stereo_. The choice made here will also affect which plugins you can use on the _Stereo_. The choice made here will also affect which plugins you can use on the
track (mono tracks cannot use stereo plugins and vice versa). track (mono tracks cannot use stereo plugins and vice versa).
When you create a new MIDI track, the name is automatically taken from
whatever virtual instrument you pick by default.
The _Position_ menu lets you choose where you want the new track or bus to be The _Position_ menu lets you choose where you want the new track or bus to be
placed: first, last, before or after the selection. placed: first, last, before or after the selection.
@ -88,14 +104,7 @@ dialog open)** instead.
## Other types of tracks and busses ## Other types of tracks and busses
When adding tracks and busses to your project, you'll see more options When adding tracks and busses to your project, you'll see more options
available. Here is a quick overview of them. available.
**MIDI tracks** are similar to audio tracks: they have regions with MIDI data,
they can have multiple plugins in a processor box, e.g. a software synthesizer
or a sampler followed by a delay plugin followed by an EQ plugin.
**MIDI busses** are similar to audio busses, but they can only transform
incoming MIDI data.
**Foldback busses** are meant for stage monitoring mixes where you might want **Foldback busses** are meant for stage monitoring mixes where you might want
giving each performer a customized mix that goes right into their earpiece. giving each performer a customized mix that goes right into their earpiece.