Aligning Measure Boundaries With Audio

If you record a complete song (from a CD, DAT, etc.), or rhythm track into Cakewalk Pro Audio, you might find it useful to have the measure boundaries match up with the measures of the audio track(s). This would make it easier to view and edit any MIDI tracks you might add, or if you simply want to cut and paste the audio tracks to re-arrange a song.

This procedure involves changing the tempo of the song. If there are multiple audio events on a track, you should combine the events before continuing. If you don't combine the events, you'll notice that the timing relationship between the events will change, and the song will not sound the same. To combine the events do the following:

1. Select the audio track(s)

2. Open an Audio view

3. Right-Click on any clip and choose Combine from the Inspector menu

We will need to create a tempo map, by recording every beat of the song on a separate track. It's important that we don't leave out, or add any beats to the reference track. If the song is in 4/4 time, we need to record every quarter note. If the song is in 6/8 time, we need to record every eighth note, etc. This tutorial works best if the audio track lasts for the whole duration of the song. It will make things a little easier if you enable Vertical Rules and Clip Contents from the Inspector menu (View Options) in the Clips pane. So, let's get started.

1. Record a song/rhythm track into Cakewalk, or open a song that already has an audio track.

2. Combine all the audio events on each track.

3. Make sure the audio track starts at the beginning of the song (1:01:000). If it doesn't, simply drag/slide the audio clips to the start of the song.

4. Turn off the Metronome, since we'll be using the audio track(s) as our timing reference.

5. If you enabled Vertical Rules and Clip Contents, you should now see the audio waveforms in the Clips pane.

6. Look at the waveform, or play the song, to get a feel for where the measure boundaries should be (it helps if you zoom in close).

7. (This step is optional) Manually change the tempo, so the first couple of measures are fairly close to the tempo of the audio track(s). This step is not really necessary, but it will give you a rough idea of how many measures the song is, and the Measure:Beat:Tick time will be pretty accurate for the first couple of measures (which might aid in the process of performing step 9).

Tip: There is usually a peak in the waveform on beats, so try to match up the "Vertical Rules" with the peak at the start of each measure.

We are now ready to record the tempo reference track. You can record the reference track in several ways: manually inserting notes with the mouse, using the Virtual Piano, or recording from a MIDI controller (keyboard). If you're using a keyboard, make sure it's not transmitting any kind of aftertouch (or simply disable aftertouch from Options | Global in Cakewalk).

8. Click on an empty track. This will be the tempo reference track, and can be deleted after we're done.

9. Get ready to record. Rewind the song, press Record, then play/record every beat as the audio track is playing.

Tip: It might be hard to record the first couple of beats, since there's no count-in, and you might not get a feel for the tempo until the song has played a couple of beats. If this is a problem for you, simply insert the first couple of beats manually (Piano Roll view, Event List, etc.). Next, play the song and make any necessary adjustments, in order for the first couple of beats to play in time with the audio track. Rewind the song, press record, and play/record the rest of the beats. You will probably have to use this technique if you're using the Virtual Piano, because there might not be enough time to press Record, and then switch back to the Virtual Piano. By doing this, you will most likely end up with multiple clips. In the end, after recording every beat, you have to make sure that all the clips are combined. It's important that there is only one clip in the tempo reference track.

10. Rewind the song. Press play, and make sure the reference track you just recorded plays perfectly in time with the audio track(s), and that no beats are missing or added. If some of the beats are off time, you can adjust the starting time of those notes, or re-record the reference track. Once the reference track is perfect, continue to step 11.

11. If there are multiple clips in the reference track, combine them now.

12. Select the clip in the reference track, and go to Edit | Fit | Fit Improvisation.

The measure boundaries should now align with the audio track(s). The sequence will now look better, and be easier to work with. If you need to, you can go back and split audio events (and clips) wherever you want.

You can also use the Extract Timing command in the Audio view to align the measure boundaries with the audio track(s). Make sure you select Find A Steady Rhythm, Insert Tempo Changes, and set Expected Pulse Duration to match the meter of the song (Quarter for 4/4, Eighth for 6/8, etc.). Since a song can contain multiple tempo and meter changes, recording a reference track will probably be the easiest method for most people. Try both methods, and see which one works better for you.

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