meterec Code
Status: Beta
Brought to you by:
fafaman
Menu
▾
▴
Tree [bdfd01] v0.7 / History
Read Me
<pre>
METEREC
Screen shots
============
Vu mode:
--------
48000Hz 0:00:10.24 1.2% (10.4%) [> ONGOING ][O ONGOING ]
++++++++:+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\RD
WR\++++ :
-6050 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 -3 0
|__|____|____|____|______|_____|_______|_______|_______|___|____|
01##I :
02##I :
03#####################################I :
04###########################################I
05##I :
06###############################I :
07##I:--------------------------------------------
08##I:-----------------------------------------------------------
|__|____|____|____|______|_____|_______|_______|_______|___|____|
-6050 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 -3 0
edit mode:
----------
48000Hz 0:00:24.83 1.3% (15.5%) [> ONGOING ][O ONGOING ]
++++++++:+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\RD
WR\++ :
Port 1 [REC] PLAYING take 15
Take 18 [CONTENT][ ][ ]
01R----------XXXXLXXX
02=--------------L---
03O--------------L-XX
04D--------------L-XX
05=--------------L---
06=--------------L---
07=--------------L---
08=--------------L---
Help
====
% ./meterec -h
meterec version 0.6
./meterec [-f freqency] [-r ref-level] [-w width] [-s sessionname] [-j jackname] [-t]
where -f is how often to update the meter per second [24]
-r is the reference signal level for 0dB on the meter [0]
-w is how wide to make the meter [auto]
-s is session name [meterec]
-j is the jack client name [meterec]
-t record a new take at start
Command keys:
<SPACE> start playback; stop
<ENTER> start record; stop
m reset maximum level vu-meter markers
q quit
<TAB> edit mode
l toggle lock for that position
a toggle lock for all ports for that take
L clear all locks for that port, toggle lock for that position
A clear all locks, toggle lock for all ports for that take
r toggle REC record mode for that port - record without listening playback
d toggle DUB record mode for that port - record listening playback
o toggle OVR record mode for that port - record listening and mixing playback
Why is it so basic?
===================
meterec works as a basic multi track tape recoder. The aim of this software is
to minimise the interactions of the users with the computer and allow them to
focus on their instrumental performance. For this reason meterec features are
minimal. One of the main "limitation" is that meterec can only restart from time
0:00:00.00: if you srew one take, start it over again! rather than learning how
to use a specific software to correct what you screw, meterec forces to learn
and master your instrument. Good news is previous takes are kept in take history
and if in the end, the first one was the best you could play, you can choose it
in your final mix.
A typical session:
==================
hardware setup
--------------
A 16 track mixer has all it's inserts plugged to a 16in+16out channels sound card.
Example for the first track of the mixer:
+--- 1 ---+
| |
| MIC/LINE|
| |IN <--------- Instrument/Mic
| |
| INSERT |
| |SEND -------> Sound card IN 1 (jack system:capture_1)
| |RETURN <----- Sound card OUT 1 (jack system:playback_1)
| |
| |
jack setup
----------
jackd is running on the above card. all inputs are redirected to corresponding output so we
get to hear Instrument/Mic when the insert cable is plugged in the mixer.
system:capture_1 ---> system:playback_1
system:capture_2 ---> system:playback_2
system:capture_3 ---> system:playback_3
...
You can use the following to set this up:
%jack_connect system:capture_1 system:playback_1
Jack system internal delay should be kept small by
Maximising sample rate
Minimising periods/buffer
Minimising frames/period
To avoid Xruns (more frequent with shorter delays), Real-Time priority may be setup for
jackd..
software setup
--------------
% mkdir la_session_de_demo
% cd la_session_de_demo
Now create a basic session configuration file we will call 'demo':
% meterec-init-conf demo
This will create 2 files:
.demo.sess - not to be edited (empty at first)
demo.conf - status/configuration file for this session
Initial content of demo.conf:
=|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
This file can be edited when meterec is NOT RUNNING. If you keep your editor open,
make sure it/you refresh editor content after each meterec run.
What this file says is:
meterec track 1 input is system:capture_1, output is system:playback_1
meterec track 2 input is system:capture_2, output is system:playback_2
You can edit this file to add more inputs and/or outputs for each meterec track
i.e
=|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1 jack_metro:120_bpm
=|2 system:capture_1 system:playback_1 tunit:in_0
The band
--------
Paul plays guitar on track 1
Yoanna sings on track 2
Hakim plays bass on track 4
Iris plays drums on tracks 6+7(overhead) 8(kick) 9(snare) 10+11(toms)
Igor plays electric piano on tracks 14+15
Balance
-------
%meterec
Will show all tracks vu-meter. you may adjust meter behavior with -f -r -w options
Make sure no instrument reaches the 0dB by adjusting gain on the mixer console or in
the sound card mixer.
Stop meterec with CTRL+c
Session base
------------
Hakim plays bass on track 4
Iris plays drums on tracks 6+7(overhead) 8(kick) 9(snare) 10+11(toms)
Iris+Hakim will make a nice bass+drum base first
Lets update demo.conf to the following
=|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
R|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
R|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
R|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
R|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
R|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
R|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
R|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
We are ready for first take... Let's go
hit ENTER key
...Time for pleasure and concentration...
Once Iris+Hakim are done, Stop meterec with ENTER or SPACE key.
demo.conf now looks like this:
=-|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
RX|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
RX|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
RX|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
RX|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
RX|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
RX|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
RX|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
01
You can listen to what was done right away
hit SPACE key
You can repeat take to make sure Iris+Hakim where recoreded at their best
hit ENTER key
hit ENTER key
hit ENTER key
hit ENTER key
demo.conf now looks like this:
=-----|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-----|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-----|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
RXXXXX|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-----|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
RXXXXX|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
RXXXXX|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
RXXXXX|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
RXXXXX|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
RXXXXX|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
RXXXXX|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-----|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-----|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-----|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345
When you start meterec, you get to hear the latest take of each track, now you may
find out that take 4 what the best for Iris+Hakim.
Let's use TAB key to edit demo.conf so it looks like this:
=-----|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-----|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-----|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
RXXXLX|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-----|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
RXXXLX|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
RXXXLX|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
RXXXLX|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
RXXXLX|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
RXXXLX|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
RXXXLX|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-----|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-----|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-----|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345
Now every time you get to start meterec you will hear Iris+Hakim performance as it
was when they played the for the 4th time. We have "Locked" tracks 4,6,7,8,9,10,11 on
take 4.
Session melodie
---------------
Paul plays guitar on track 1
Igor plays electric piano on tracks 14+15
Paul+Igor will now play over take 4 of Iris+Hakim and recod their parts.
Let's use TAB key to edit demo.conf so it looks like this:
R-----|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-----|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-----|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-----|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-----|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-----|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
R-----|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
R-----|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-----|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345
You may let them warm-up by starting playback with SPACE key
This gives a good chance to adjust input gain again (trying to get the best dynamic)
SPACE to stop and once Paul+Igor are ready...
ENTER to start recording
... Enjoy the groove and feel of your mates ...
Stop meterec with ENTER or SPACE
As you have guessed, demo.conf now looks like this
R-----X|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
R-----X|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
R-----X|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
0123456
Well, it appears that Paul is still suffuring from hangover while Igor's performance
was sharp and still...
Let's use TAB key to edit demo.conf to give an other chance to Paul:
R-----X|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----X|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----X|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
0123456
Give a glass of water to you friend and run meterec
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER
If needed, make sure he gets some fresh air and
ENTER
Great, everybody is happy (fed-up?) with Paul's guitar riffs
edit mode view now looks like this:
R-----XXXXX|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=----------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=----------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-----|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=----------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-----|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-----|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-----|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-----|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-----|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-----|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=----------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=----------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----X----|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----X----|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=----------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
01234567890
1
Igor Just had and Idea and would like to add a few notes to his previous take. He can
use the Overdub feature of meterec to create a new track that contains previous
content plus new content...
Let's use TAB key to edit demo.conf so it looks like this:
=-----XXXXX|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=----------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=----------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-----|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=----------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-----|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-----|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-----|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-----|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-----|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-----|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=----------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=----------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
O-----X----|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
O-----X----|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=----------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
01234567890
1
Ready, steady, go!
ENTER
... hummm does not sound that good ...
ENTER or SPACE
edit mode view looks like this
=-----XXXXX-|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-----------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-----------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-----------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-----------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-----------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
O-----X----X|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
O-----X----X|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-----------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345678901
1
Now tracks 14+15 contains both take 6 and take 11 performance. If we are not happy
with content added during take 11 and want to do it again, we have to Lock track 14+15
on take 6 to create take 12. Take 12 will then contain notes played during take 6 and
take 12.
Let's use TAB key to edit demo.conf
=-----XXXXX-|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=-----------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-----------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-----------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-----------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-----------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
O-----L----X|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
O-----L----X|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-----------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345678901
1
Ready for recording...
ENTER
... This sounds far better ...
ENTER to stop
Now if we want to listen to the result a little update in demo.conf is needed...
=-----XXXXX--|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
=------------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=------------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=------------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=------------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=------------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
O-----L----XL|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
O-----L----XL|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=------------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
0123456789012
1
You can lock a track several times. Take played back will be the most reent of the
locked takes.
Lead singer
-----------
Yoanna sings on track 2
Lets use TAB key to edit demo.conf so it looks like this:
=-----XXXXX--|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
R------------|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=------------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX-------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=------------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX-------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX-------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX-------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX-------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX-------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX-------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=------------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=------------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----L----XL|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----L----XL|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=------------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
0123456789012
1
ENTER to start recording
Now Yoanna would like to listen to her previous take and sing over it without ending
with both takes mixed together. In meterec this is called Dubbing.
Lets use TAB key to edit demo.conf so it looks like this:
=-----XXXXX---|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
D------------X|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=-------------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX--------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=-------------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX--------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX--------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX--------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX--------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX--------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX--------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=-------------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=-------------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----L----XL-|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----L----XL-|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=-------------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
01234567890123
1
ENTER
Now demo.conf looks like this
=-----XXXXX----|1 system:capture_1 system:playback_1
D------------XX|2 system:capture_2 system:playback_2
=--------------|3 system:capture_3 system:playback_3
=XXXLX---------|4 system:capture_4 system:playback_4
=--------------|5 system:capture_5 system:playback_5
=XXXLX---------|6 system:capture_6 system:playback_6
=XXXLX---------|7 system:capture_7 system:playback_7
=XXXLX---------|8 system:capture_8 system:playback_8
=XXXLX---------|9 system:capture_9 system:playback_9
=XXXLX---------|10 system:capture_10 system:playback_10
=XXXLX---------|11 system:capture_11 system:playback_11
=--------------|12 system:capture_12 system:playback_12
=--------------|13 system:capture_13 system:playback_13
=-----L----XL--|14 system:capture_14 system:playback_14
=-----L----XL--|15 system:capture_15 system:playback_15
=--------------|16 system:capture_16 system:playback_16
012345678901234
1
Yonna's take 14 only contains what she sang during take 14, althoug she coule listen
to her previous recording during that take.
Why does it goes wrong?
=======================
For this approach to work, you have to make sure you always play over the same base.
Here we never have mixed up different takes for tracks 4,6,7,8,9,10,11 as these where
played from scratch. If you like metronomes, You can do a first take containing the
bip of a metronome, and then always use this as a base when you add the extra
instruments.
An other problem is delays... If you record track 1 (during take 1),
then you record track 2 (during take 2) trying to follow instrument on track 1
then you record track 3 (during take 3) trying to follow instrument on track 2
then you record track 4 (during take 4) trying to follow instrument on track 3
...
Well you may end up wondering why track 10 is completely out of sync with track 1.
Internal delays in jack+meterec cannot be avoided completely. look for help on how
to minimise delays in jackd. Make sure you do not have a cascading aproach in you
recording session, but rather stick to one of the first takes as a reference for
playing other instruments.
Bugs?
=====
See TODO file for known bugs.
Please use sourceforge to report new bugs.
</pre>
