Hi everyone,
I've got a small problem on my hands. I've added a soundfile to a show and started adding functions starting at the right times which I checked in Adobe Audition. When I started everything worked really nice and the timing was always right. But last session when I got past the 2min mark, wierd things started to happen. What I feel what is happening is that the light functions start correctly but there is a tiny delay when the audio is started. And the really wierd thing is that it's not always the same. I double checked and the functions are all at the right time but when I start the show it isnt timed right (between 0.2s and about 1.5s off).
Is there anyone who can help me out here? Is there a simple yet safe solution? Its for a stage performance which really relies on the right timing of the lights, so it would be really bad if this happend at a show.
I cant access the showfile at the moment, but if it would be helpful to upload it I could do that in the next few days.
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Soundfiles in Showmanager not starting correctly
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Jeff
There is a bug in QLC+ with time keeping. I tried many things, with the help of Massimo and others here. I never got it to work correctly.
The only way I was able to have a show timed perfectly was to use an outside DAW (like Ableton Live, but there are others) to create a MIDI track, where each note would trigger a scene, linked in QLC+.
If you're on a Mac, you can use iAC. On a PC, I read that Loopbe1 works well.
Check out the community video in the sticky post called "QLC+ & Multitrack Studio for holiday light show. DEMO". That helped me figure it out.
The only way I was able to have a show timed perfectly was to use an outside DAW (like Ableton Live, but there are others) to create a MIDI track, where each note would trigger a scene, linked in QLC+.
If you're on a Mac, you can use iAC. On a PC, I read that Loopbe1 works well.
Check out the community video in the sticky post called "QLC+ & Multitrack Studio for holiday light show. DEMO". That helped me figure it out.
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hoef
Hi Jeff!
Thanks for your answer. It was driving me nuts and it's good to hear that it wasnt my fault
So I've checked the video you suggested and got an idea how this might work. So since I basically have no clue about either of those programs I have some followup questions.
Which program do you suggest using? I dont mind paying for it if it's easy and stable to run.
Since I've already programed the show what's my easiest way to set this up?
Do I need to have a midi note for each function or is it possible to set one right at the beginning to start my already existing show?
Do I need an actual midi controller (a keyboard like the guy in the video)?
Would you, or anyone else who can explain to me how to set this all up, be availible for a skype tutoring session? I'd pay for it ofcourse.
Thanks again for you answers!
Thanks for your answer. It was driving me nuts and it's good to hear that it wasnt my fault
So I've checked the video you suggested and got an idea how this might work. So since I basically have no clue about either of those programs I have some followup questions.
Which program do you suggest using? I dont mind paying for it if it's easy and stable to run.
Since I've already programed the show what's my easiest way to set this up?
Do I need to have a midi note for each function or is it possible to set one right at the beginning to start my already existing show?
Do I need an actual midi controller (a keyboard like the guy in the video)?
Would you, or anyone else who can explain to me how to set this all up, be availible for a skype tutoring session? I'd pay for it ofcourse.
Thanks again for you answers!
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Jeff
Sure, I guess you could use your existing saved show (scenes, chasers, etc) and regroup all of them in a collection. You could probably trigger the collection on/off.
Ok, let's start at the beginning.
What do you have? Mac or PC?
Do you have any experience with using a DAW? (Digital Audio Workstation) such as Pro-Tools, Reaper, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, Ableton, so many more...
Ok, let's start at the beginning.
What do you have? Mac or PC?
Do you have any experience with using a DAW? (Digital Audio Workstation) such as Pro-Tools, Reaper, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, Ableton, so many more...
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hoef
Im working on Win8. I have very limited experience with DAW. I've seen how programs like Logic and Cubase work but never actually used them myself. I used Adobe Audition to cut/fade/edit showmusic for my needs but just used singletrack editing. So things short, I have no clue how to add a MIDI cue to my music and how to set QLC+ up to trigger in time.
I think I can upload my workspace tomorrow.
I think I can upload my workspace tomorrow.
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Jeff
Ok,
Been to the net and I read that MIDI is not great in Audition. But that's ok, you have some experience working on a track. That will do.
You could get Reaper or Multitrack studio. Reaper is a very nice DAW, and it offers a demo that will never really stop (there's a reminder message each time you start the app, and you could choose to pay for it if you like it enough, it is much cheaper than most. MultiTrack studio is free, but it seems to be ok for our needs.
You won't need an external keyboard. You could use your computer keyboard if you wish, or just draw the MIDI notes.
For me, I did a combination of both. In my case, I played the audio file, and recorded a separate MIDI track live. I simply assigned some keyboard keys to different scenes and chasers, and keyed in time while the audio was playing. I then used the draw function to add some notes I messed, and fixed the length of some other notes.
In short, these are the steps:
- install Loopbe1
- Start a DAW. Go to the Preferences, and select Loopbe1 as the MIDI output. Create an audio track and import your audio. Create a new MIDI track. Open the virtual keyboard.
- Start QLC+. Go to Input/Output tab. Select your DMX as output and Loopbe1 as input. Create a virtual console with buttons that will be used for your scenes, chasers, collections, etc. Right click a button, assign a function, then click on the Auto-Detect button, go back to your DAW and hit a key, for example "A". Go back to QLC+ and you will see some numbers in the Auto-Detect window. Choose whether you want to toggle the function on/off (which means you will have to hit the key to start the function and hit the key again to stop it. Flash means you have to keep the key until the end of the function.) Click OK to close the button's properties.
- Do the same for all the functions you will need to program.
- Go back to your DAW. Arm the MIDI track (usually a small red dot or R) and start the recording. Key in time your different functions along the audio track. Stop. Disarm the track (turn off the red record button).
- Open the MIDI editor window in your DAW. Play it back along the audio and adjust position, start and stop according to your needs. You could use the draw function in your DAW (usually looks like a small pencil) to add some notes.
When all is done, you should be able to click "play" in your DAW and see the lights go in sync with the music.
I've been meaning to do a video about it, but it may have to wait until after Halloween.
Been to the net and I read that MIDI is not great in Audition. But that's ok, you have some experience working on a track. That will do.
You could get Reaper or Multitrack studio. Reaper is a very nice DAW, and it offers a demo that will never really stop (there's a reminder message each time you start the app, and you could choose to pay for it if you like it enough, it is much cheaper than most. MultiTrack studio is free, but it seems to be ok for our needs.
You won't need an external keyboard. You could use your computer keyboard if you wish, or just draw the MIDI notes.
For me, I did a combination of both. In my case, I played the audio file, and recorded a separate MIDI track live. I simply assigned some keyboard keys to different scenes and chasers, and keyed in time while the audio was playing. I then used the draw function to add some notes I messed, and fixed the length of some other notes.
In short, these are the steps:
- install Loopbe1
- Start a DAW. Go to the Preferences, and select Loopbe1 as the MIDI output. Create an audio track and import your audio. Create a new MIDI track. Open the virtual keyboard.
- Start QLC+. Go to Input/Output tab. Select your DMX as output and Loopbe1 as input. Create a virtual console with buttons that will be used for your scenes, chasers, collections, etc. Right click a button, assign a function, then click on the Auto-Detect button, go back to your DAW and hit a key, for example "A". Go back to QLC+ and you will see some numbers in the Auto-Detect window. Choose whether you want to toggle the function on/off (which means you will have to hit the key to start the function and hit the key again to stop it. Flash means you have to keep the key until the end of the function.) Click OK to close the button's properties.
- Do the same for all the functions you will need to program.
- Go back to your DAW. Arm the MIDI track (usually a small red dot or R) and start the recording. Key in time your different functions along the audio track. Stop. Disarm the track (turn off the red record button).
- Open the MIDI editor window in your DAW. Play it back along the audio and adjust position, start and stop according to your needs. You could use the draw function in your DAW (usually looks like a small pencil) to add some notes.
When all is done, you should be able to click "play" in your DAW and see the lights go in sync with the music.
I've been meaning to do a video about it, but it may have to wait until after Halloween.
-
hoef
Thanks for your step by step guide!
After a first unsuccessful try with Multitrack I gave Reaper a shot. Seemed a bit more complicated yet more professional. I've tried several things, got the midinote through auto-detect but it didnt start the show at first. After redoing everything and maybe press a button and checking a checkbox here and there it finally worked! Just had to slide the audiotrack slightly to the right and everything was perfectly on time! What a great feeling!
I really want to thank you for your help, I would never have figuered that out by myself. Today I learned something thanks to you!
A short step by step video guide would surely be something a lot of people would like to have, since its not rocket sience but still not that easy to set up everything perfectly.
I hope I remember to send you a youtube link when our show is finally finished so you can see what you helped create
Thanks again and maybe this guide should be posted as a sticky for everyone easy to find.
After a first unsuccessful try with Multitrack I gave Reaper a shot. Seemed a bit more complicated yet more professional. I've tried several things, got the midinote through auto-detect but it didnt start the show at first. After redoing everything and maybe press a button and checking a checkbox here and there it finally worked! Just had to slide the audiotrack slightly to the right and everything was perfectly on time! What a great feeling!
I really want to thank you for your help, I would never have figuered that out by myself. Today I learned something thanks to you!
A short step by step video guide would surely be something a lot of people would like to have, since its not rocket sience but still not that easy to set up everything perfectly.
I hope I remember to send you a youtube link when our show is finally finished so you can see what you helped create
Thanks again and maybe this guide should be posted as a sticky for everyone easy to find.
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Jeff
Great!
Glad I was able to share what I learned here from the kindness of other users.
Have a good show! (or should I say "break a leg!")
Glad I was able to share what I learned here from the kindness of other users.
Have a good show! (or should I say "break a leg!")