Graphic editor grid snapping

[DCB]

On the whole I am very impressed with the DP graphic editor. However, there is one problem: when you switch off grid snapping, the grid disappears entirely (except for barlines). For me, this is quite infuriating. To my mind, the whole point of having a grid is to use as a reference while editing freely. If anything, it should be the other way round: you don't need to see the grid when the notes snap to it automatically.

Is there anyway to have it both ways: i.e. to see the grid even when you don't want to snap the notes to it exactly (other than keeping your finger constantly on the command key)? Changing the edit resolution doesn't do it for me, because I want to move/add notes freely (but using the grid as a reference point).

[Shooshie]

You can always use the Command Key to temporarily toggle "snap to grid" on and off.

Shooshie

[DCB]

(other than keeping your finger constantly on the command key)?

[HeadMaster]

On the whole I am very impressed with the DP graphic editor. However, there is one problem: when you switch off grid snapping, the grid disappears entirely (except for barlines). For me, this is quite infuriating. To my mind, the whole point of having a grid is to use as a reference while editing freely. If anything, it should be the other way round: you don't need to see the grid when the notes snap to it automatically.

Is there anyway to have it both ways: i.e. to see the grid even when you don't want to snap the notes to it exactly (other than keeping your finger constantly on the command key)? Changing the edit resolution doesn't do it for me, because I want to move/add notes freely (but using the grid as a reference point).

Scotch on the command key?

Naah, I have not found any other way, but, then I have not checked the manual either.

Is there?

. . .
HM

[DCB]

Scotch on the command key?

I was hoping for a more "high-tech" solution!

If there is really no other way to do it, I have to say that MOTU have just got it completely wrong. Having notes locked into the grid is mechanical and unmusical. Trying to edit MIDI without a grid for reference is too difficult.

Better go and get a paper weight or something to plock down on the command key. Or get another sequencer program for MIDI.

[HeadMaster]

Scotch on the command key?

I was hoping for a more "high-tech" solution!

If there is really no other way to do it, I have to say that MOTU have just got it completely wrong. Having notes locked into the grid is mechanical and unmusical. Trying to edit MIDI without a grid for reference is too difficult.

Better go and get a paper weight or something to plock down on the command key. Or get another sequencer program for MIDI.

Are you by chance possibly the guy who played the drums in Def Leppard?



. . .
HM

[FMiguelez]

Scotch on the command key?

I was hoping for a more "high-tech" solution!

If there is really no other way to do it, I have to say that MOTU have just got it completely wrong. Having notes locked into the grid is mechanical and unmusical. Trying to edit MIDI without a grid for reference is too difficult.

Better go and get a paper weight or something to plock down on the command key. Or get another sequencer program for MIDI.

Well, if this is such a big deal for you, then be my guest and get another sequencer.
I really can't see how this is such a big inconvenience to you, but I guess it depends on the type of music you do...

Why do you need those "reference" points if you don't want the notes to snap to the grid? Just as a visual reference?
You PLAY the notes, right? So what's the big deal? Just play your stuff, and it should be close enough. Otherwise, you can quantize, groove quantize, or humanize. If you don't need your notes to snap to the grid, then you don't need that much precision. Then just do it by "eye"
Or use the command key, as was already suggested.

You can quickly turn the grid on/off by pressing ctrl-G. You can navigate different values using Ctrl-[ and ctrl-].

Good luck.

[cuttime]

Scotch on the command key?

Naah, I have not found any other way, but, then I have not checked the manual either.

Is there?

. . .
HM

Better to keep it in your glass or your mouth. Those single malts can really bugger up the key contacts.

[Shooshie]

Scotch on the command key?

I was hoping for a more "high-tech" solution!

If there is really no other way to do it, I have to say that MOTU have just got it completely wrong. Having notes locked into the grid is mechanical and unmusical. Trying to edit MIDI without a grid for reference is too difficult.

Better go and get a paper weight or something to plock down on the command key. Or get another sequencer program for MIDI.

You might try changing the time signature to 8/8 instead of 4/4. I'm not sure whether that will increase the grid resolution or not, but you could check and see. Meanwhile, some of the finest composers in the world have created amazing music in Digital Performer... if you're so inconvenienced that you can't make music in DP, you're not trying very hard. Please, remember that you're talking to a lot of people who use DP daily and have never had trouble with what you're talking about. Plus, there are many, many more techniques of which you obviously are not aware. This is hardly a shortcoming of DP, which has plenty of real shortcomings!

Shooshie

[Mr_Clifford]

Having notes locked into the grid is mechanical and unmusical.

And randomly moving the notes around just beside the grid lines is somehow more musical???

[Tim]

it would be cool to have an Always Show Grid Lines preference.

One could always add a marker at every eighth note, and choose the Show Marker Grid Lines pref.

The Nudge arrows are handy for moving events toward or away from grid lines.

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There.....That looks like a good feel.

No wait....arrow right
There

[DCB]

I realize that people have different ways of working and DP obviously works great for some. I haven't been using it long, so maybe I will eventually get used to it. My habits have obviously been formed by the sequencers I used previously (Sonar, Samplitude, etc) which always show the grid whether snap is on or off.

I hope a future update of DP will include an "always show grid" option. Apart from this one issue I like DP a lot.

Meanwhile, I will experiment by halving or quartering the meter, so I get more barlines.

Recording live is certainly best, but I often find I want to add notes which I did not manage to include in my performance. This applies especially to "keyswitch" notes whose only function is to direct a sampler to switch to a different instrument articulation. This can be a major issue if you are using multi-articulation sample libraries (like the Vienna Symphonic Library).

[HeadMaster]

Scotch on the command key?

Naah, I have not found any other way, but, then I have not checked the manual either.

Is there?

. . .
HM

Better to keep it in your glass or your mouth. Those single malts can really bugger up the key contacts.

Yeah, and with only one arm free, it's a real killer.



. . .
HM