Tempo Sync'd backing track workflow questions

SparkleBear

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a backing track setup in Loopy Pro. I’m using the main app for my live looping and the AU module to hold the backing tracks. I want my setlist to follow the tempo of the AU backing tracks. Some tracks are simple loops, others need to play through certain bars, then loop a section, then move to the next section and loop again.

For example, from a single source audio file create clips that will:
•Play from the beginning, loop bars 9–12 until ready
•Play from bar 13, loop bars 69–72 until ready
•Play from bar 73 to the end

So far, I load a project in the AU module with a follow action to set the tempo, then trigger each clip for the right section. But editing loop boundaries inside Loopy recalculates the grid and makes it hard to keep true barlines lined up.

My main questions are:
1) What’s the best way to isolate specific bars of a source track without messing up bar alignment or the true tempo?

2 )How do you handle transitions between these sections so it plays intro, loops, then moves on smoothly?

3) What’s the best way to handle sync between the main Loopy project and the AU module? Should the AU be the master clock or is Ableton Link better?

Any tips or best practices would be really appreciated. Trying to move away from Ableton for this. Thanks so much!

espiegel123

@SparkleBear said:
Hey everyone,

I’m working on a backing track setup in Loopy Pro. I’m using the main app for my live looping and the AU module to hold the backing tracks. I want my setlist to follow the tempo of the AU backing tracks. Some tracks are simple loops, others need to play through certain bars, then loop a section, then move to the next section and loop again.

For example, from a single source audio file create clips that will:
•Play from the beginning, loop bars 9–12 until ready
•Play from bar 13, loop bars 69–72 until ready
•Play from bar 73 to the end

So far, I load a project in the AU module with a follow action to set the tempo, then trigger each clip for the right section. But editing loop boundaries inside Loopy recalculates the grid and makes it hard to keep true barlines lined up.

My main questions are:
1) What’s the best way to isolate specific bars of a source track without messing up bar alignment or the true tempo?

2 )How do you handle transitions between these sections so it plays intro, loops, then moves on smoothly?

3) What’s the best way to handle sync between the main Loopy project and the AU module? Should the AU be the master clock or is Ableton Link better?

Any tips or best practices would be really appreciated. Trying to move away from Ableton for this. Thanks so much!

For #1: putting the clip in the timeline and using seek timeline and dummy clips with follow actions can work well.

Editing a clip’s bounds only recalculated tempo if it is the only clip. Duplicate the clip and you can edit the clip’s bounds without affecting the tempo.

2: there are lots of ways . Without more context it is hard to advise.

3: I think you will want to try both and see which works out. Link is probably a better timekeeper but has the downside of start not being instantaneous.

The wiki has some discussion of using the sequencer and dummy clips.

SparkleBear

Great, this was very helpful. As always Edward. Thank you.

When hopping between projects in the setlist, Is it possible to force the choice of Project tempo (vs link tempo) so keeps it automated and unattended when i call something up. I don't want to have to be screen bound for this action.

Thanks

espiegel123

@SparkleBear said:
Great, this was very helpful. As always Edward. Thank you.

When hopping between projects in the setlist, Is it possible to force the choice of Project tempo (vs link tempo) so keeps it automated and unattended when i call something up. I don't want to have to be screen bound for this action.

Thanks

I don't recall whether you are asked about link tempo when loading a new project. There isn't currently a setting that determines what happens. I also recommend using the beta if you aren't already as some improvements have been made to aspect of project loading from setlists.

SparkleBear

I am using beta but this is for a friend of mine who is in loopy 1 still. But I can probably convince her to move over.

I feel that it would be very streamlined to have an option that will automatically allow you to default to one over the other.