When a long file is added to a project, the Beatmapper Wizard starts to allow you to add tempo information to the file.

Notes:

• The Beatmapper Wizard is started by default for files longer than 30 seconds. Use the Open files as loops if between (seconds) setting on the Audio tab of the Preferences dialog to determine the file length.

• Support for multitempo clips is available for clips that are recorded or rendered in ACID or by adding Beatmap markers on the Clip Properties dialog.   

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1. Perform either of the following actions to start the Beatmapper Wizard:

• Add a long file to your project. If tempo information is not detected in the file, the Beatmapper Wizard starts.

  Select the Yes radio button and click Next to detect measures and downbeats. The file will be able to stretch/compress with the project’s tempo.

  Select the No radio button and click Finish if you want to add the file as a one-shot. The file will maintain its original length regardless of the project tempo.

—or—

• Open the Clip Properties window for a Beatmapped track, switch to the Stretch tab, and click the Beatmapper Wizard button.

2. The Beatmapper Wizard will draw the file’s waveform and place a marker to locate the first beat of the first measure.

   Click the Play button to verify the marker’s position. If the marker is positioned on a downbeat, click Next. Otherwise, drag the marker to the appropriate location and click Next.

Click the Reset button to return the downbeat marker to its original position.

3. The Beatmapper Wizard will draw the file’s waveform and place a region to indicate the length of the first measure.

   Click the Play button to verify the measure’s length. If the region is positioned correctly, click Next. Otherwise, drag the ends of the loop region to the appropriate locations and click Next.

4. Click the Halve Selection or Double Selection buttons or drag the ends of the loop region to adjust the measure length.

5. Select the Metronome check box if you want to play a click track at the detected tempo.

4. The waveform is displayed with markers at the end of the measure. Drag the Measure slider to scroll through the song, and click the Play button to verify that the detected measure length is accurate throughout the song.

   The Beatmapper Wizard uses a single measure length for the entire song. You can drag the end of the measure selection to change the measure’s length. However, changing the length will affect the entire song; if adjusting the last measure of the song causes the first measure to be incorrect, the downbeat may not be positioned correctly or the song’s tempo may not be consistent enough for the Beatmapper Wizard.

   For more information about editing stretching properties for Beatmapped clips, please see Editing Audio Clip Properties.

5. Click Next when the measure lengths are correct. Tempo information is added to your file.

6. Select the desired check boxes:

• Select the Change project tempo to match Beatmapped track check box if you want to set your project tempo to match the tempo calculated by the Beatmapper Wizard. Selecting this check box will ensure that your Beatmapped track plays at its original tempo. When the check box is cleared, the track will conform to the current project tempo.

• Select the Preserve pitch of the Beatmapped track when the tempo changes check box if you want your track to maintain its pitch when your project tempo changes. Clear the check box to create DJ-style remixes: the track’s pitch will raise and lower with tempo changes as it would when a turntable’s speed is manipulated.

• Select the Save Beatmapper information with file check box if you want to save tempo information in the file. When the check box is selected, you can add the file to other ACID projects without starting the Beatmapper Wizard every time.

If the information cannot be saved to your media file, an .sfl file will be created (using the same base name as your media file) to store tempo information. If you move your media file, you should also move its associated .sfl file.

7. Click Finish to close the Beatmapper Wizard.

To paint the entire track, select the Paint tool and Ctrl+click in the track.

If a track has an intro before its downbeat, the intro will not be included when you draw or paint events. Drag the left edge of the event to expose the intro.

Using the Beatmapper Wizard