In the previous section we discussed ways to create synchronized loops by coping one loop into another within the same track. Similar techniques exist for copying loops from one track to another track which can then play at the same time. We refer to this technique as track copy but note that the term is a bit misleading. When we say track copy it sounds like that might mean copying the entire contents of one track into another. But what this actually means is copying a single loop from one track into a single loop of a different track.
Empty Track Action is a preset parameter that can cause the loop playing in the
active track to be immediately copied to an empty loop in a different track when that track is selected.
Empty Track Action
We first need to clarify what "empty track" means. Tracks contain some number of loops, but only one of these loops can be selected for playing or recording. An empty track is one whose selected loop is empty. The track may contain other loops that are not empty, but if the selected loop is empty, then the track is considered to be empty. To use the Empty Track Action parameter you must select an empty track. This can be done in several ways:
Clicking the mouse over a track in the user interface
Using the left or right arrow keys to select the track to the left or right of the current track
Executing one of the track selection functions: Next Track, Previous Track, or
Track X
If you are familiar with Mobius scripting note that the for statement does not select tracks. This means you can use the for statement to manage tracks without activating the Empty Track Action.
It is important to note that selecting a track will never be quantized, it always happens immediately. Quantization is important when you switch loops since you will be
changing what is heard, but when you select tracks, you continue to hear what is playing in the original track so it doesn't matter as much when the change happens.
4.1.1 Empty Track Action = Copy Sound
When Empty Track Action is set to Copy Sound and you select an empty track, the current loop in the current track will be instantly copied to the empty loop in the new track. This is a Sound Copy which means that all of the audio content will be copied. This is a relatively unusual option to use for track synchronization since it will change what you hear. To the audience it will sound like the loop you are copying from
suddenly became twice as loud since you are now playing two copies the same loop. This mode is usually used only in scripts where in addition to the sound copy you can immediately take other actions like muting the source track, changing the playback rate or direction, or altering the copy with a function like Shuffle. The overall volume level may still increase, but the resulting sound will be more interesting than simply making it louder.
When you first switch to a copied loop, you will be placed in a mode defined by the
Sound Copy Mode preset parameter. The possible values are: Play, Overdub, Mulitply, and Insert. The default value is Play.
See Empty Loop Action = Copy Sound for more information on using Sound Copy
Mode
When Empty Track Action is set to Copy Timing and you switch to an empty track, a new clear loop will be instantly created that is exactly the same size as the source loop and will have the same number of cycles. A clear loop has a size and it can be played and modified, but it starts without any audio content.
This is the most common value to use with the Empty Track Action parameter because it will not immediately change what is being heard. The new clear loop will begin playing but the audience will not hear any change until you begin modifying the new loop.
When you first switch to a copied loop, you will be placed in a mode defined by the
Time Copy Mode preset parameter. The possible values are: Play, Overdub, Mulitply,
and Insert. The default value is Play. The most common alternative is Overdub. See Empty Loop Action = Copy Timing for more information on using Time Copy
Mode
4.2 Track Copy Functions
You can also accomplish sound or timing copies by executing functions. The copy happens immediately when the function is executed. There are two functions Track
Copy and Track Copy Timing.
The Track Copy function will copy the sound the loop playing in the track to the left of the active track into the active track. The contents of the loop in the active track will be lost and replaced with the copy. If the active track is track number 1, then the copy is taken from the highest numbered track (which is 8 unless you have changed it). The effect is similar to Empty Track Action = Copy Sound except that the active track doesn't have to be empty.
The Track Copy Timing function will copy the length of the loop playing in the track to the left but not the sound. The new loop is clear which means that has a length and can be played but it starts with no audible content. The effect is similar to Empty Track Action = Copy Timing except that the active track doesn't have to be empty.