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How to Make a Click Track Digital Performer

Digital Performer is a digital audio workstation for Mac computers. With it you can record, edit, mix and master your music on a effectively making your computer a mobile recording studio. As is typical for digital audio workstations, Digital Performer has a click track function. The click track is effectively a digital metronome. It provides a beat reference and tempo guide that helps you record in time. The click track provides a frame of reference when editing, enabling you to line up audio and MIDI using a digital map, rather than just your ears.

Things You'll Need

  • Mac computer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Launch Digital Performer by clicking the icon on your desktop or “Applications” folder.

    • 2

      Click the metronome icon button in the transport control section. It looks similar to the outline of a house. This opens a basic click track interface.

    • 3

      Adjust the tempo. Either type in your preferred tempo in the box, or adjust the slider. The former approach is suitable if you know which exact tempo, in beats per minute, you want. If you want to audition tempos, hit “Play” and then adjust the slide left to increase the speed or right to slow it down. Play along with the metronome until you find a tempo that suits. In a new session, the default tempo is 120 beats per minute.

    • 4

      Click on the “Meter” tab to adjust the time signature. For example, if you want your song to swing, try it in 4/3 time signature. This means there are three quarter notes per bar.

    • 5

      Click on the “Beat Value” tab to alter the feel. This adjustment makes a subtle difference to the way the beats fall in the click track. If you set the beat value to half notes, instead of the default quarter note value, the accent click will sound half as frequently. The click track has an accented click on the first beat of every bar. The beat value setting doesn’t influence the speed, tempo or meter, but it does enable you to play with a different feel. Once you’re happy with the click track, no further action is required. The selected settings remain in place until you change them.

Recording Music

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