sone n00b q's regarding workflow, getting data in/out of RW

[hotrod]

I am evaluating the demo vers, and I do like the mindset of the program, however, I have experience with DAW's and would like to use RW in conjunction with other DAW's/apps...So, does anyone know if the the following items are possible?

Can I export layers and/or riffs as aiff/wav audio (to use with another DAW)?

Can I import existing audio files to layers? I tried to import and open aif and wav files, butthey are greyed out...

is there any way to get instant drummer patterns/performances out of RW as a standard audio file, or midi file, or rex file or whatever?

I looked thru the manual and tried playing around with the RW, but I can't figure out what import/export options there are...Basically, I would like to use RW as a scratchpad and more, but if I can't get data in and out of RW, it's definitely not as useful...I don't want to have to recreate the same song in another app, I would like to start my song out in RW, and then be able to bring it in to another app as needed...

thanks for any insight/advice....

[pbear5]

i'm not sure about the export part but, if you can get that part under control, i can help you with the Drummer part: if your soundcard gives you the option of recording from the virtual mixer (my M-audio Delta-44 shows an Input called Mixer L/R) then you can record in anything that is going out--what i do is mute all other tracks, switch the Input to Mixer L/R, record the new Layer, unmute the other tracks and mix to taste. You do have to remember to de-activate the Drummer Backup because they don't match sample/sample but it's very close.

[scott]

Hi Hotrod,

You can export individual riffs using the 'export' function. The riffs are saved as .rwr files and these can only be imported back in to RWS as far as I know.
If you want to save a riff, you could add it to the songline and mix it down to a .wav or a .ogg file. These can then be tweaked using third party software like Audacity and saved to a .mp3 file.
The same method can be used to save out Instant Drummers - create riffs with the drummers playing; add the riffs to the song line then save them out as a .wav or .ogg file.
Importing different file formats is on the wish list for future versions of RWS. Sonoma are great at listening to users so they'll maybe consider exporting different file formats too.

[pbear5]

to add just a bit more: i just did a test. i created a two-track riff (Rex file recorded to a layer as i describe above and a guitar part.) after creating the Riff i dragged it into the Song timeline. Then i used the Mix function to export each track to .wav by individually soloing each track. I then imported these into a Tracktion project. if you had multiple Riffs plus Song Layers you should be able to do the same thing--for example: solo all of the r-guitar layers on all Riffs and export the Song. solo the drum layers on all Riffs and export the Song again. Etc. until you have all of the song's tracks that you need. they imported very nicely into Tracktion and, once i matched the BPM the timeline works as well.

that said i started out thinking that i would do the same thing that you are looking to do; using RW as a scratchpad then finishing up in Tracktion but--and let me say here that i'm not a professional by any means--i haven't found the need to do it. i wasn't really aware of the Song Layers (layers that are the length of your song.) once i found out and figured them out i just started taking the Riff parts and re-recording them in one full-length pass onto song layers--this removes the obvious riffy-ness from a guitar part. i have also gotten a lot better at re-working riff layers so that they flow better from one to the next. i try to start by quickly throwing a couple of ideas down. then paste them up next to each other. if they don't work well together (or as repeats/loops) i figure out how to smooth the transitions and re-record each riff layer. now, as often as not, i don't find that i need to re-record as a Song Layer because the parts are meshing really nicely.

also, it's true that you can't Edit audio in the traditional DAW sense but you can fix bum notes or do punch-in-like corrections by using the Info wave window and drawing in fades to transition from the original part to the correction and back. i've also used this technique to switch drum parts mid-Riff.

[hotrod]

pbear5, thanks alot for your insights. I like the trick about recording the sound card output...

Also, regarding using RW as a scratchpad, it is true that I might be able to do everything in RW, I dunno. It is comforting to know that I can re-use my work in other apps if need be...

thanks again, to both Scott and pbear5 for helping me out....

[gatorjj]

Hotrod I find "it just depends" whether it can all stay in RiffWorks or not. I always use RiffWorks as my scratchpad, and sometimes the final result ends up in there. There are things that are easier for me in a DAW (MIDI, fixing timing, moving things around, vocals). I'm sure with your experience you'll know where the best place to work is for a given song, or when / if you need to switch gears on one.

Even if you use and know a DAW very well RiffWorks is a great addition to the toolbox. It really speeds up the writing process with the riff structure and Instant Drummers and as the others mentioned it's easy enough to get the work out of that and into something else if need be. It's got a lot of capability on its own and has a great interface for creating music, not to mention the cool environment Sonoma has created with RiffCaster, RiffLink and the forums.

Good luck!

J.J.

[beauzeau]

Ditto Gator,

The two most important benefits of Riffworks in my opinion, are the Interface, which is just silly simple, and the extras, Rifflink in particular. Being able to just hop in on a session with other players and lay something down as a collective effort, that's awesome!

It's the closest thing we'll ever see to live online jamming, which will not be possible for a LONG time to come due to latency and whatnot. I remember how bummed out I felt the first time someone explained that to me. So it was good to find riffworks, cause it's the next best thing.