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Welcome to the Recording Forums archive of audio recording posts from the old Recording Website Message Board

Home recording and general music post from the archived Yabb Recording Website Message Board. Some of the info here may be outdated but many of the audio recording and home studio tips are still good. Note: The only tags I made and attempt to convert are italics, bold, center and underline. So if you see some gibberish surrounded by brackets, just ignore it.

Recording Website Archived Yabb board Post

Febuary 2001 Yabb Message Board Archive

Subject: how to sync analog eight track to Cubase VST
by jmattla | 04/23/01 at 22:45:21

I use Cubase VST and a Layla sound card and am considering adding an analog eight-track. What attributes must the analog deck have in order to be synched with Cubase? Can ANY analog tape deck work in a master/slave relationship with an application like Cubase? Forgive my ignorance, as I am new to mixing analog and digital (and new to the group). Thanks.

Subject: Re: how to sync analog eight track to Cubase VST
by db | 04/24/01 at 06:22:25

You will have to use the analog machine as the master by striping one track with time code . A sync interface will most likely be something like, what you can find at www. J.L. Cooper.com . Something that will interface TC, MMC, Midi clock. The Cubase will have to have external sync capability.
Hope this helps,
--db

Subject: Re: how to sync analog eight track to Cubase VST
by mike_h | 04/24/01 at 08:09:05

what you need is the jl cooper datamaster.It will
do mtc,mmc,smpte,ect.Its easy to setup.You will also
need a device such as a midi man biport in between
the two.The datamaster is pricey,but i see them
used on e-bay for as low as 100.00 bucks.The biport
is around 125.00. The sync up is ok.However flying
in and out of the computer more than a few times
can cause drift.

Song Structure

by Dan E. Monk

Songs at the most basic level are structured by verse. Most modern songs add a chorus. A bridge, although not as popular can also be added. In addition songs can also contain: an intro, a pre chorus (also called a build), a refrain and an extro (also called an outro or tag).

A brief explanation of the different song sections:

Verse :
Verses are structured lines that while differ in content follow the same musical pattern.

Chorus :
A chorus differs both musically and lyrically from the verse and is repeated at least once in the song.

Bridge :
A bridge differs both musically and lyrically from the verse and the chorus, usually only used once in the song.

Refrain :
A refrain is one or two lines at the end of each verse which while different lyrically from the verse remain consistent to themselves.

Intro :
The into is a different musical form that comes at the beginning of the song. It differs from the verses but can and often does share music and or lyrics with the chorus.

Pre Chorus (also called a build):
A pre chorus precedes the chorus. While keeping the same music form the pre chorus can lyrically change throughout the song. It is usually repeated as often as the chorus.

Extro (also called Outro or Tag):
Stylistically the same as the intro, except it occurs at the end of the song.

The different forms
The Traditional AAA form.
The AAA song form consists only of verses. Sounds simple but it is one of the harder forms to write. Both words and melody must be fresh and compelling, there is not chorus or bridge to break things up. The ABA form.

(A = verse, B = chorus)
The ABA form adds a chorus. More often you will see it as ABABA or AABABA. This fits in well with modern pop music. Adding a chorus allows the songwriter to move the song in a different direction musically. Lyrically, the chorus is the meat of the song, usually repeating the title while summing up what the song is about. The ABCA form.

(A = verse, B = chorus, C = bridge)
Also quite popular the ABCA form adds a bridge. The verse and chorus have the same function as the ABA form. The bridge can be used lyrically to clear up parts of the song that may otherwise be obscure, or to tie the song together, hence the name bridge. Musically a bridge is used to break up a pattern that may be getting a little too monotonous or predictable.

There are other forms of course. These are the most common. What form you use depends a lot on what musical genre you are writing your song in.