Track bar length
These days I've been using Drambo differently than I've used it before.
A small 4-channel MIDI looper for live sequencing the 4 MIDI channels of my Analog Four, no audio, no FX, no AU. I cleaned up the interface by removing send and master and setting the upper section to multitrack mode (see first screenshot).
So far I'm happy with it, but there's one thing that's causing me confusion: the pattern bar doesn't adapt to the selected track but always displays the pattern number of the longest track (see screenshot 2). The notes within the sequence are displayed correctly, but the length of the track always remains the longest (which corresponds to the Main track).
Consequently, editing the length of individual tracks becomes confusing.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Comments
There are two approaches, each with its own pros and cons:
Current approach: the navigation bar works across the entire pattern range. We can jump instantly to any section, but we cannot extend the length of a specific sequence without going through additional menu steps.
Alternative approach: the navigation bar works within the range of the current clip (track). We can quickly edit the length of the current clip, but navigating to another part of the sequence may require an extra track-selection gesture.
The question is: which one is better :)
It would be like choosing between something that is sure to happen (the current model) and something that could happen (the second scenario) :)
Would it be possible to select it from the preferences like: “Dynamic trackbar length” yes/no ?
A toggle would be very nice, i noticed this behavior as well when setting up a multout drum setup and wondered similar things :)
Instead of swtiching between 2 behaviors with their own trade-offs, how about a "rigid pattern" mode, where all clips in the pattern have the same lenght? Or a popover: "Extend all clips?"
I would exclude the "Rigid Pattern" mode because the fact that the patterns are not fixed is a fundamental feature in live looping. I would also avoid automatically extending the clips for several reasons, the main one is to avoid pop-ups during live looping, the second is that, if I wanted to add a note to one clip in overdub, I would then have to add it to the others as well. For me, the dynamic trackbar remains the best solution, as it already is in the classic track view.
Ok, good to know.
That’s what Ableton Move does: it adapts the size of the remaining clips by duplicating existing content. It’s simple, mindless, and it works really well.
I’m going to think about other solutions, focused on the nav bar.
But do duplicate clips always reflect the "parent" clip? So if I overdub (or change a step), I only actually edit that one, and then the changes affect the others?
If that's the case, it might be an alternative worth considering.
Hi @giku , have you had a chance to think about this?
I've been using this setup for a couple of months now, and I still think the track bar behaves inconsistently between the standard view and the multitrack view.
@tatobox
Sorry, I had to focus on Visual, coming back to this.
The pattern bar needs to show the full pattern length, like now, because we edit entire pattern.
The current plan is to:
What do you think?
Great idea! If the existing bar can be lengthened or shortened, it should work well!
Thanks
btw. it's only about lenghtening, the only missing gesture in there :)
@tatobox are you on beta?
Yes