Snap to Grid in Tracks window

ghobish · Post by **ghobish** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:46 pm

How do you turn it off? According to page 299 in the DP6 manual, you should be able to set the on/off state for each edit window independently, but I can only set it for the Sequence editor. What am I missing?

Thanks- Gary

PrimeMover · Post by **PrimeMover** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:53 pm

I don't think it's possible. That's not what the tracks window is for, after all. That's what the sequence editor is for. However, holding the command key down while dragging MIGHT have that effect, but I've never tried it.

zed · Post by **zed** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:56 pm

That is correct, PrimeMover.

Snap to grid is usually your friend, Gary. But by holding down the command key (in any DP window) you can freely move MIDI or soundbites without any grid restraints.

ghobish · Post by **ghobish** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:04 pm

zed wrote:That is correct, PrimeMover.

Snap to grid is usually your friend, Gary. But by holding down the command key (in any DP window) you can freely move MIDI or soundbites without any grid restraints.

I'm not trying to use the Tracks window as the Sequence Editor. Here's why I'm asking: something that's always been lacking in the SE is an indicator that instantly tells you the length of a selection. The workaround was to open the time stretching window, which would give you that info, then cancel. There is a selection length indicator in DP6's SE, but it does not update itself unless you go through the same exercise.

If, however, you do a selection in the TO, it's selection length indicator updates immediately; but since I can't turn the grid off, I can't make the selection I need.

Either way it' still having to jump through hoops to get what is very basic information that should be available in either the SE or the TO at all times.

zed · Post by **zed** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:11 pm

ghobish wrote:If, however, you do a selection in the TO, it's selection length indicator updates immediately; but since I can't turn the grid off, I can't make the selection I need.

But if you hold down the command key while selecting, you are not restrained by the grid. You should be able to get exactly what you need, shouldn't you?

ghobish · Post by **ghobish** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:11 am

zed wrote:
ghobish wrote:If, however, you do a selection in the TO, it's selection length indicator updates immediately; but since I can't turn the grid off, I can't make the selection I need.
But if you hold down the command key while selecting, you are not restrained by the grid. You should be able to get exactly what you need, shouldn't you?

I'll try that tomorow, thanks.

martian · Post by **martian** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:14 am

valid point gary

i have a key to do as u described - ie call up the stretch window for the duraration.. seems like basic info you need regularly... would using the I beam to double click then switching to the TO work?

I know there are some selection commands that DONT work unless the TO is open somewhere - ie more start/end selection to wiper... not at DP now - is this a similiar case perhaps?

ghobish · Post by **ghobish** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:22 am

martian wrote:valid point gary

i have a key to do as u described - ie call up the stretch window for the duraration.. seems like basic info you need regularly...

Yeah, I have a key shortcut set up to call that window, and any of the scenarios here would require that I do extra keystrokes (like calling up the TO which, being a non-MIDI guy, I rarely use).

blue · Post by **blue** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:36 am

In DP6 there is now a preference for showing the grid state for the TO. Go to your prefs and select Information Bar. Click on Grid Snap for the TO.

There's only one problem. At least on my machine, the grid settings for the TO don't work. Oh well.

grouse · Post by **grouse** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:54 am

hi gary,

good to see you on here. it sounds like you won't be able to do what you want directly in the sequence editor unless 6.1 provides it.
but, as previous poster's have said, in any window, holding down apple will disable any snap to grid going on.
i do have a question though. what is the time stretching window?!
i'm on 5.13.....and my manual is deep in a box, getting ready to move house!

martian · Post by **martian** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:18 am

ghobish wrote:
martian wrote:valid point gary

i have a key to do as u described - ie call up the stretch window for the duraration.. seems like basic info you need regularly...
Yeah, I have a key shortcut set up to call that window, and any of the scenarios here would require that I do extra keystrokes (like calling up the TO which, being a non-MIDI guy, I rarely use).

modify your basic window set... so TO is always open - you dont have to see it... can be hidden behind / size of postage stamp?

zed · Post by **zed** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:58 am

ghobish wrote:...like calling up the TO which, being a non-MIDI guy, I rarely use...

I'm always baffled when someone tells me they don't use the Tracks Overview as a permanent window in their DP setup.

Whether you are a MIDI guy or not, there are so many things that need to be done in the TO, and many things which can be done most efficiently in the TO that it makes me wonder how anyone could function without it for any length of time. I will often be doing something in the Tracks Overview almost EVERY MINUTE of my working day, unless I am focussed on a very specific editing task in an edit window, and even then I am usually referring to the TO regularly, and using it to enable/disable tracks, add markers, or select regions, etc.

martian · Post by **martian** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:26 am

as another non MIDI guy (in DP ) it is tempting to spend along time in the SE editor...

if i want to add or move marker I use the conductor track or marker window

the TO does have it's uses tho - great for an overview... in's outs and stuff..

most of my assistants are in ghobish's gang much to my dismay!

tommymandel · Post by **tommymandel** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:35 am

ghobish wrote:
I'm not trying to use the Tracks window as the Sequence Editor. Here's why I'm asking: something that's always been lacking in the SE is an indicator that instantly tells you the length of a selection. The workaround was to open the time stretching window, which would give you that info, then cancel. There is a selection length indicator in DP6's SE, but it does not update itself unless you go through the same exercise.

If, however, you do a selection in the TO, it's selection length indicator updates immediately; but since I can't turn the grid off, I can't make the selection I need.

Either way it' still having to jump through hoops to get what is very basic information that should be available in either the SE or the TO at all times.

In Preferences/ Editing/ Information Bar, there are 4 circles to check for each of a number of windows. When I check the Selection button, in the Sequence row (top row) the Selection Field Appears in the Information bar at the top of the Sequence Window, including the Selection length (after its start and end) and also there's the ability to check off the Grid snap.
OH! - but it only updates if you do your selecting on the TIme Ruler. I see what you mean, ghobish.

ghobish · Post by **ghobish** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:07 am

zed wrote:
ghobish wrote:...like calling up the TO which, being a non-MIDI guy, I rarely use...
I'm always baffled when someone tells me they don't use the Tracks Overview as a permanent window in their DP setup. Whether you are a MIDI guy or not, there are so many things that need to be done in the TO, and many things which can be done most efficiently in the TO that it makes me wonder how anyone could function without it for any length of time.

I am indeed trying to spend more time there, as for playback at least it would seem to use fewer resources, but the fact is that probably 80% of my time is spent editing, working on automation or mixing; For ins/outs, enabling tracks, etc. I have the mix window open (I have two screen setup) so it's not like I'm missing functionality.

I'm not trying to avoid the TO, but this is the method I've developed of working over the years. Maybe now that the tracks window has resizable tracks, I'll do more recording in there. But it would still be nice to be able to turn the grid off without having to hold a modifier key every time you make a selection.