M-AUDIO Pro Tools Recording Studio - Manual (Page 417)

Chapter 20: MIDI Recording 399
Unlike audio recording, MIDI recording in this
scenario is destructive. Newly recorded MIDI
data overwrites existing MIDI data while leaving
the existing region boundaries intact.
If the MIDI data within a region is altered be-
cause of a record take, the original material is ei-
ther lost (unless you choose Edit > Undo MIDI
Recording) or combined with new material (if
MIDI Merge was enabled during recording). If
an existing region contains material you want to
keep, use Duplicate to make a copy of the region
(“Duplicating Regions” on page 736), or dupli-
cate the track’s playlist or record in a new playl-
ist to keep a backup (see “Working with Playl-
ists” on page 529).
Loop Recording MIDI
Loop recording with MIDI is supported by two
methods:
• In Normal (Nondestructive) Record mode, en-
able Loop Playback and MIDI Merge for drum
machine style loop recording.
– or –
• Use Loop Record mode to record multiple
takes on each record pass. This is similar to
loop recording audio.
Loop Recording in MIDI Merge
Mode
For MIDI loop recording, use Normal (Nonde-
structive) Record mode with Loop Playback and
MIDI Merge enabled. With this method, MIDI is
recorded and merged to the same region with
each new record pass—for example, you can
record hi-hats on the first pass and kick and
snare on the next.
Make sure that MIDI Merge is enabled in the
Transport window, otherwise (in Replace mode)
each subsequent take destructively replaces the
previous take.
To loop record in MIDI Merge mode:
1 Configure a MIDI or Instrument track for re-
cording (see “Configuring MIDI or Instrument
Tracks for Recording” on page 393).
2 Ensure that Normal Record mode is selected
(see “Record Modes” on page 353).
3 Select Options > Loop Playback. When Loop
Playback is enabled, a loop symbol appears in
the Play button.
4 Record enable the MIDI or Instrument track.
Ensure that no audio tracks are record-enabled.
5 In the Transport window, click the MIDI
Merge button so it is highlighted.
6 Disable Wait for Note and Countoff in the
Transport window.
7 Select Options > Link Timeline and Edit Selection.
8 With the Selector tool, select the loop range in
the track’s playlist.
For drum machine style step entry, use Step
Input (see “Step Input” on page 821).
You can record enable a different MIDI or
Instrument track on-the-fly while loop re-
cording. While pressing Control (Windows)
or Command (Mac), use the Up/Down Ar-
rows to record enable the previous or next
MIDI or Instrument track.
Loop Playback enabled
For other methods of setting the record
range, see “Setting Punch and Loop Points”
on page 372.