Replace or double drum sounds

Replace or double drum sounds in the Tracks area

Using drum replacement, you can replace individual drum sounds on an audio track without re-recording the entire track. To replace or double the drum sounds, you use an audio track that contains a recording of a single drum (or other percussion instrument) to create a software instrument track with matching MIDI trigger notes. The software instrument track plays drum samples using the EXS24 mkII.

Replace or double a recorded drum signal

  1. Select the audio track with the drum recording.

    Figure. Tracks area showing audio track selected.

  2. Choose Track > Replace or Double Drum Track (or use the corresponding key command).

    The following changes take place in the Tracks area:

    • All files on the selected audio track are analyzed for transients (if they have not been previously analyzed). The selected track is vertically zoomed.

    • A software instrument track is created below the audio track, and the EXS24 is inserted into the Instrument slot.

    • The Library opens with the EXS24 selected, so that you can choose the sound that best matches the project.

    • A MIDI region containing trigger notes based on the detected transients is created on the software instrument track.

    • The Drum Replacement/Doubling dialog opens.

    Figure. Tracks area with audio track zoomed, Library open showing drum sounds, and Drum Replacement/Doubling dialog open.

  3. In the Drum Replacement/Doubling dialog, set the following parameters:

    Figure. Drum Replacement/Doubling dialog.

    • Instrument pop-up menu: Choose the drum sound you want to replace or double (Kick, Snare, Tom, or other).

    • Mode buttons: Choose one of the following modes:

      • Replacement: The new sound replaces the original, and all regions on the original track are muted.

      • Doubling: The new sound is added to the original (the original sound is not muted).

    • Relative Threshold slider: Set the threshold value for transients, above which trigger notes are generated.

    • Prelisten button: Click to start playback of both the original (audio) and replacement (software instrument) track from the current playhead position. The two tracks are soloed, so all other tracks in the project are silent.

      You may want to set the playhead or activate the cycle area to prelisten to a part of the project requiring special attention for drum replacement. Click Prelisten again to stop playback, return the playhead to the previous play position, and unsolo the two tracks.

    • Trigger Note pop-up menu: Set the pitch of the trigger notes created on the software instrument track. Choosing AUTO (the default setting) sets the trigger note as follows:

      • Kick = C1 (36)

      • Snare = D1 (38)

      • Tom = A1 (45)

      • other = C3 (60) and AUTO menu not available, as there is no automatic choice for this setting.

      Note: Any changes to the trigger note do not change the instrument setting. However, any changes to the instrument setting change the trigger note, either to Auto or C3 (60).

    • Timing Offset slider: Shift the position of trigger notes earlier (negative values) or later (positive values). The offset should normally be set to 0.0 ms (which places the MIDI trigger notes exactly at transient timing positions), but may need to be adjusted when using your own, or third-party, instruments.

    • “Set average attack time” button: Set the average offset of all regions on the source audio track.

  4. Click OK to confirm the action.

    Clicking OK resets the vertical zoom of the original audio track, mutes its regions if you selected the Replacement option, and deselects the track. MIDI trigger notes for the EXS24 are created on the software instrument track, and the track is selected.