I’m thinking about a way to trigger phrases (melodies, rhythmic patterns) that are not pre-rendered audio files but rather MIDI phrases that can be routed to any instrument. I want to start these phrases by tapping four quarter note beats (on one key) and the next note I play would start the phrase (like a drummer that counts the whole song in).
My bands don’t play with click so I need a way to set the right tempo before the phrase starts.
Any ideas how that could be done? MIDI player VST plugin + GP Script combination (Tapping in Note On callback?)? Or is there an easier approach that I’ve missed so far?
I use to have a software sampler that had a similar feature. “Independence Pro” by Yellowtools had a feature that allowed you to assign a midi file to a key, pedal or pad. I think tempo was controlled by the patch master tempo. You could trigger a riff or drone or any midi file to play when pressed. No count in needed if your tap tempo was adjusted.
I didn’t have a software rig to play live at that time, just used the samples for recording, but I thought the feature was pretty interesting, as I knew of nothing else at the time offered such a feature. It was a German company, that was bought out by Magix, and I don’t think it’s available anymore.
Right now, the easiest way to do this is to combine Gig Performer with Ableton Live. However, the notion of being able to trigger MIDI clips synchronized to the beat is already on our list but I can’t say when it might appear.