Riff Recorder
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Contents |
Introduction
The Riff Recorder is where all the recording in RiffWorks happens. When you select a Riff from the Riff List it's contents and settings are all displayed here. Remember that RiffWorks has a Riff based workflow (record song in chunks instead of all the way through). Those chunks of your song (Riffs), can have a variety of Backups, differing tempos, varying lengths, etc. Just check up in the RiffList to see which Riff is highlighted. This is the Riff you're working on.
Screen
The Riff Recorder Screen is that big portion in the middle of the Riff Recorder. It can display different things depending on tab style button you have pressed:
Layer
Each time you record one or more new layers is created. Layers are basically a single recording of your instrument. You can stack layers on top of each other (bass, guitar, vocals) to create a full Riff sound. The Riff Recorder, by default, will record a new layer each time the Riff loops. Use this looping feature to quickly double up your tracks, do multiple takes, etc. Each layer has several controls for mixing and applying effects. More Layer Info
Backups
RiffWorks includes four diverse backups to accompany you while you record. The Backups are organized in a different section than layers, but they are mixed into the Riff's audio just like layers are. When you click the Backups Tab, you can turn on/off different backups (Instant Drummer, Metronome, ReWire, REX Player) as well as edit their individual settings. More Backups Info
Riff Effects
The RiffWorks Effects are available to use on each individual Riff. There are several places that you can apply the Sonoma effects in RiffWorks. This one applies the effects to the full mix of the Riff. Basically, RiffWorks mixes all the Layers and Backups together and then applies these effects. If you want to apply effects to only one layer, look into Layer Effects. More RiffEffects Info
RiffLink
The RiffLink tab is your portal to RiffLink from within the RiffWorks interface. After you login, this screen allows you to see public RiffLink collaborations, your collaborations, etc. You can also open RiffLink songs directly from this screen. More RiffLink Info
Help
A brief help guide is built right into RiffWorks. Clicking the HELP button shows the Index. More Info
Transport
RiffWorks might look a little strange to some of you because it has two transports (what we call the play/stop bar). This transport is the primary one that you will use while building your Riffs. It controls the playing and recording of an individual Riff. The Riff transport is a looping transport, meaning that it will jump back to the beginning when it reaches the end of the Riff.
Stop
Click the STOP button or press the SPACEBAR to stop playing or recording the current Riff.
Play
Click the PLAY button or press the RETURN (or ENTER) key instead to hear the current Riff. Use the Play button if you want to play along with the current Riff without recording a layer or just want to play around with the mix.
Record
Click the red Record button or press the RETURN key to start recording. (many keyboards may say ENTER) When you reach the end of the Riff, that layer will be added and RiffWorks will automatically start recording a new layer. More Info
Timeline
Watch the Riff Timeline to see where you are within the current Riff while you're playing or recording. The marks in the Timeline show the beats and measures. More Info
Controls
Name
Click in the yellow name box and type to change the name of the current Riff.
Gain
The Riff Gain knob controls the overall level (loudness) of the current Riff. This is a great way to match the different levels of Riffs after you've created a song. If your Riff is too loud compared to your other Riffs, just turn this knob down instead of turning down all the layers. More Info
Tempo
Set the tempo of the current Riff by clicking the yellow tempo box and sliding up and down, or clicking in the box and typing. You can only set the tempo before recording layers. Its nice to adjust this while you're playing to get a good feell for the tempo. You may (and should) also use Junt to set the tempo. More Info on Junt
Length
This may be a confusing control for those of you used to just recording until you press stop. RiffWorks has a Riff based workflow, meaning that you create your song in smaller segments. After creating a new Riff, you tell RiffWorks how long that section is using the LENGTH control. Set the LENGTH by clicking on the yellow LENGTH box and sliding the mouse up and down, note that Riffs loop when they reach the end.
Signature
Set the time SIGNATURE. The number of beats in a bar is determined by the Time Signature setting. 4/4 is the most common Time Signature in popular music forms.
- In 4/4 time that would sound as 'Tee ta ta ta'.
- In 5/8 time it would sound as 'Tee ta ta ta ta'.
Junt
Junt is a musician centric feature. It can detect your tempo based on instrument input. Think of it as a Tap Tempo using your guitar strings. Just mute your guitar strings, and strum at the tempo you want to play at. You can also use Junt with other instruments, but it will work best with non-sustaining sounds (like finger snaps through a mic, or short percussive notes on a piano). Junt has two modes. Use it to just set the tempo, and/or use it to start recording. More Info
Single Shot Record
By default, RiffWorks continues recording new layers when it reaches the end of a Riff (loop based recording). This feature gives you an alternative. It records the first pass through the Riff as a new layer and immediately switches to play when it loops (no new layers). Its fun to use this feature to lay down a rhythm layer on the first pass and then switch to practicing your lead on the second pass. More Info
Auto-Mute Layers
Usually RiffWorks will add layers that will play back the next time through. Often, you want to do things like multiple takes and its annoying to hear your previous take. Press the Auto-Mute button before you press record for an alternative. It adds any new layers in mute, meaning that you won't hear them. To hear them after you've recorded them in Auto-Mute, just click the mute button for that Layer to turn Mute off. More Info
Riff Notes
Enter notes you'd like to write about the current Riff here. Useful for remembering chords you played, lyrics, ideas, etc. Use it for whatever you want!
Note: We have noticed a bug with Riff Notes. If you use double quotes (") in Riff Notes, then you may no longer be able to open a song you are working on. We will be fixing this soon, but don't use double quotes in Riff Notes until then.
