08_06_Overdubbing

AW1600
Owner's Manual


Chapter 6
Overdubbing
This chapter explains how you can record additional performances on other tracks while you listen to the previously-recorded tracks. This chapter also explains how to switch virtual tracks and save songs.

About overdubbing
"Overdubbing" is the process of recording additional performances on other tracks while you monitor the playback of previously-recorded tracks.
The diagram below shows the signal flow when you play back tracks 1 to 4 and overdub track 5. In this example, the signal that is input from MIC/LINE INPUT jack 1 is routed through recorder track 5 and sent to track channel 5. This signal is then sent to the stereo bus, mixed with the playback sound of track channels 1 to 4, and output from the STEREO/AUX OUT jacks and the MONITOR OUT jacks / PHONES jack.

Signal flow when overdubbing

(Figure)
Recorder section
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
MIC/LINE input jacks
Input channels
Track channels
Stereo output channel
Stereo bus
Mixer section

Assigning the input signal to a track
In order to overdub, you must first assign the mic or instrument to a new track. The basic procedure is the same as when recording the first track.

1	Lower the [STEREO] fader to the -infinity position.
2	Connect your instrument or mic to a MIC/LINE INPUT jack.
3	In the Quick Navigate section, repeatedly press the [RECORD] key or hold down the [RECORD] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the DIRECT page of the RECORD screen.
The [INPUT SEL] keys and [TRACK SEL] keys will blink red.
4	Assign the input channel to which your instrument/mic is connected to a new track, and adjust the level.
For details on this step, refer to "Track recording" (-> p. 39). The diagram below shows an example of when input channel 1 is assigned to track 5.

NOTE
The number of tracks that can be assigned in a 24-bit song is limited (-> p. 143).

HINT
In this example we will use "direct recording," in which one input channel is assigned to one track. However, you may also use "bus recording," in which multiple input channels are sent to the L/R bus and recorded on one or two tracks.

Instantly recalling an EQ library
The chapter entitled "Track recording" explained how to access the LIBRARY page of the EQ screen and load an EQ library to change the EQ. This section explains how you can instantly recall an EQ library.

1	Press the [INPUT SEL] key of the input channel for which you want to use a library.
The corresponding input channel will be selected for operations.
2	In the Selected Channel section, press down the [EQ] knob and turn it.

(Figure)
Turn while pressing

When you turn the [EQ] knob to left or right while pressing it, the LIBRARY page of the EQ screen will appear.
3	Turn the [DATA/JOG] dial to select an EQ library. Then move the cursor to the RECALL button and press the [ENTER] key.
The selected library will be loaded.
4	If you want to adjust the EQ settings, use the [HIGH] key, [HI-MID] key, [LO-MID] key, and [LOW] key of the Selected Channel section to select the EQ band, and turn the [EQ] knob to adjust the amount of boost or cut.

HINT
If necessary, you can make detailed adjustments to EQ parameters such as the center frequency and Q (-> p. 95).

Instantly recalling a dynamics library
A dynamics library can be instantly recalled in the same way as an EQ library.

1	In the Selected Channel section, press down the [DYN] knob and turn it.

(Figure)
Turn while pressing

When you turn the [DYN] knob to left or right while pressing it, the LIBRARY page of the DYN screen will appear.
2	Turn the [DATA/JOG] dial to select a DYN library. Then move the cursor to the RECALL button and press the [ENTER] key.
The selected library will be loaded.
3	If you want to adjust the dynamics effect, turn the [DYN] knob in the Selected Channel section.

HINT
In the same way, you can press and turn the [EFFECT 1] knob or [EFFECT 2] knob in the Selected Channel to recall an effect library.
If necessary, you can make detailed adjustments to the dynamics parameters (-> p. 96).

Setting the mix balance and pan
Here's how to set the volume balance and pan for the previously-recorded tracks and the tracks that you now will be overdubbing.

1	While you play back the song, raise the track channel faders for the previously-recorded tracks to an appropriate monitoring level.
2	Press the track channel [TRACK SEL] key for a previously-recorded track, and use the [PAN/BAL] knob of the Selected Channel section to set the pan.
3	Stop the recorder, and while producing sound on your instrument, adjust the fader of the recording-destination track channel so that the monitoring level is appropriate.
The track channel for the recording-destination track will send the input signal to the stereo bus while recording or stopped, and will send the track playback signal to the stereo bus during playback. This means that in order to monitor the input signal, you must stop the recorder.

HINT
The position of the track channel faders will not affect the recording level. However if you set the faders to 0 dB, the playback volume will be the same as when you recorded the tracks.

4	Press the [TRACK SEL] key for the recording-destination track channel, and use the [PAN/BAL] knob of the Selected Channel section to set the pan.
In the same way as for the input channel signal, you can also use EQ and dynamics to process the track channel. To do this, press the [TRACK SEL] key to select the track channel, and use the [EQ] knob or [DYN] knob of the Selected Channel section to recall a library and adjust the settings. This procedure will not affect the signal that is recorded on the track.

Overdubbing
Now you can overdub onto the track that you selected as the recording-destination.

1	In the Work Navigate section, repeatedly press the [TRACK] key or hold down the [TRACK] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the VIEW page.
2	Move the cursor to the metronome button, and press the [ENTER] key to switch the setting on or off as desired.
You can perform overdubbing whether the metronome is on or off.
3	In the transport section, hold down the REC key and press the PLAY key.
The metronome will begin sounding, and the counter display will advance.
4	While monitoring the previously-recorded tracks, play the instrument that you want to overdub.
5	To stop recording, press the STOP key.
The [UNDO/REDO] key in the data entry / control section will light.
6	To listen to the recorded performance from the beginning, press the RTZ key to return the counter display to zero, and press the PLAY key.

HINT
If you recorded from the middle of the song, you can press the [IN] key to move to the location at which you began recording.

7	If you are satisfied with the recorded performance, save the song. (For details on saving -> p. 63)
If you decide to re-do the recording, press the [UNDO/REDO] key to cancel the recording, and repeat steps 3 to 7.

Punch-in/out
If you make a mistake while overdubbing, you can re-record just the region in which you made the mistake. This process is called "punch-in/out."
Punch-in/out can be performed either as "manual punch-in/out" in which you switch between recording and playback manually, or as "auto punch-in/out" in which recording and playback will switch automatically when you reach the locations you specify beforehand.

Manual punch-in/out
Here's how to perform punch-in/out using the keys of the transport section or a foot switch.
1	If you want to perform punch-in/out using a foot switch, connect a separately sold foot switch (Yamaha FC5 or equivalent) to the rear panel FOOT SW jack.
2	Access the DIRECT page of the RECORD screen, and make sure that your instrument/mic is assigned to the track on which you want to punch-in.
At this time, the [INPUT SEL] key of the recording-source and the [TRACK SEL] key of the recording-destination will blink red.
3	Locate to a point earlier than where you want to punch-in.
You may find it convenient to register a marker at a location one or two measures earlier than the point at which you want to punch-in, so you can quickly return to that point. (For details on registering a marker -> p. 67)
4	In the transport section, press the PLAY key. (Alternatively, press the foot switch.)
The song will begin playing. At this time, the track playback sound of the recording-destination track channel will be sent to the stereo bus, so you will not be able to monitor the input signal.
5	At the point where you want to begin recording, hold down the PLAY key and press the REC key (or press the foot switch once again), and begin playing your instrument.
The recording-destination track will switch from playback to recording ("punch-in").
The recording-source [INPUT SEL] key and the recording-destination [TRACK SEL] key will light red, and the signal of the corresponding track channel will switch from the track playback to the input signal.
6	At the point where you want to stop recording, press the PLAY key (or press the foot switch).
The recording-destination track will switch from recording back to playback ("punch-out").
7	To stop playback, press the STOP key (or press the foot switch).
8	To listen to the newly-recorded content, locate to a point just before the punch-in point, and press the PLAY key.
9	If you are satisfied with the newly-recorded content, save the song. (For details on saving -> p. 63)
If you decide to re-do the recording, press the [UNDO/REDO] key to cancel the recording, and repeat steps 4 to 9.
The following diagram shows the manual punch-in/out procedure.

(Figure)
play
record
play
punch-in
punch-out

Auto punch-in/out
Auto punch-in/out is a function that performs the punch-in and punch-out operations automatically. In order to use this function, you must first specify the punch-in location (the In point) and the punch-out location (the Out point).
1	Access the DIRECT page of the RECORD screen, and make sure that your instrument/mic is assigned to the track on which you want to punch-in.
The recording-source [INPUT SEL] key and the recording-destination [TRACK SEL] key will blink red.
2	Locate to the point at which you want to punch-in.
3	In the Locate section, hold down the [SET] key and press the [IN] key.
The current location will be registered as the In point.
4	Locate to the point at which you want to punch-out.
5	In the Locate section, hold down the [SET] key and press the [OUT] key.
The current location will be registered as the Out point.

HINT
If you want to set the In and Out points more precisely, you can use the Nudge function (-> p. 71) which repeatedly plays a short region before or after the current location, or use the WAVE DISPLAY popup window (-> p. 72) which lets you view the contents of the track as a waveform.
The In point and Out point will be updated each time you record. The location at which you last started recording will be registered as the In point, and the location at which you last stopped recording will be registered as the Out point.

6	In the Locate section, press the [AUTO PUNCH] key.
The [AUTO PUNCH] key will light, and the Auto Punch-in/out function will be enabled. You will automatically locate to a point a specific distance (the "pre-roll time") ahead of the In point. This point is called the "pre-roll point."
7	To rehearse the auto punch-in/out, press the PLAY key.
1	The PLAY key will light, and playback will begin from the pre-roll point.
2	When you reach the auto punch-in point, the REC key will begin blinking, and the signal that you are monitoring from the recording-destination track channel will switch from the track playback to the input signal (recording-source). (However, recording will not actually occur.)
3	When you reach the auto punch-out point, the REC key will go dark, and the signal that you are monitoring from the recording-destination track channel will return to the track playback.
4	When you reach a point that is a specific distance (the "post-roll time") after the Out point (this point is called the "post-roll point"), you will return to the pre-roll point and stop.

HINT
If you turn the Locate section [REPEAT] key on before step 7, operations 1 to 4 of step 7 will be repeated up to fifteen times. (The A-B Repeat function is disabled during this time.) If you want to stop repeating the rehearsal, press the [REPEAT] key once again or press the STOP key.
With the initial settings of the AW1600, the pre-roll and post-roll times are each set to four seconds. You can adjust these values in a range of 0 to 5 seconds (-> p. 169).

8	To perform the actual auto punch-in/out, stop the recorder, then hold down the REC key and press the PLAY key.

1	Only the PLAY key will light, and playback will begin from the pre-roll point.

2	When you reach the auto punch-in point, the REC key will light, and recording will begin ("punch-in").

3	When you reach the auto punch-out point, the REC key will go dark, recording will stop, and you will return to playback mode ("punch-out").

4	When you reach the post-roll point, you will return to the pre-roll point and stop.

9	To check the newly-recorded content, press the [AUTO PUNCH] key to make it go dark, and then press the PLAY key.
10	If you are satisfied with the newly-recorded content, save the song. (For the Save procedure -> p. 63)
If you decide to re-do the recording, press the [UNDO/REDO] key to discard the newly-recorded content, and repeat steps 6 to 9.
The following diagram shows the auto punch-in/out procedure.

(Figure)
Pre-roll point
Auto punch-in point
Auto punch-out point
Post-roll point
locate
play
rehearsal
play
rehearsal
punch-in
punch-out
actual recording

Using the Undo List
By using the AW1600's Undo function, you can not only cancel the most recent recording or editing operation, but can even backtrack through your work for as many as fifteen previous steps. This is convenient when, for example, after performing several overdubs, you decide that you would rather go back to the state immediately after you had recorded the third solo.

1	Press and hold the [UNDO/REDO] key.
The UNDO LIST popup window will appear.

1	Undo list
This is a list of the previously-performed recording and editing operations.
From the left, the list shows a step number that indicates the order in which the operations were performed, the content of the operation, and the track/virtual track that was affected by the recording or editing operation.
The current song is now in the state of the step that is highlighted.
The step enclosed by a dotted frame indicates the step to which the Undo function will return the song.

2	Turn the [DATA/JOG] dial to select a step number.
3	Move the cursor to the OK button and press the [ENTER] key.
The current song will revert to the state of the step you selected.
4	Move the cursor to the EXIT button and press the [ENTER] key.
The popup window will close, and you will return to the previous screen.

NOTE
Please note that if you perform recording or editing after "undoing" back to a certain step, the undo/redo data subsequent to that step will be erased. For example if you "undo" the previous three steps, and then perform a recording or editing operation, the undo/redo data for the previous steps 1 and 2 will be erased.

Switching virtual tracks
Each audio track 1 to 16 contains eight virtual tracks. After overdubbing a solo part, you can switch the virtual track for that track, and record a different take while preserving the previously-recorded content. Here's how to switch the virtual track that is selected for a track.

1	In the Work Navigate section, repeatedly press the [TRACK] key or hold down the [TRACK] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the V.TR page.
In the V.TR page you can switch the virtual track (1 to 8) that will be used for recording/playback by each audio track 1 to 16.

1	TRACK
Indicates the track number 1 to 16.

2	V.TR
Indicates the status of virtual tracks 1 to 8. The virtual track that is currently selected for each track is indicated by a "Black O" symbol. Of the virtual tracks that are currently not selected, those that have been recorded are indicated by "White O", and those that have not yet been recorded are indicated as "-".

2	Use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down]/[Left]/[Right] keys to select the virtual track number that you want to assign to the desired track.
3	Press the [ENTER] key.
The "Black O" symbol will be displayed at the position of the newly-selected virtual track. This virtual track will now be used for recording/playback.
4	If you want to assign a name to each virtual track, repeatedly press the Work Navigate [TRACK] key or hold down the [TRACK] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the VIEW page.
5	Move the cursor to the TRACK field, and turn the [DATA/JOG] dial to select a track number.
6	Move the cursor to the NAME button and press the [ENTER] key.
The TITLE EDIT popup window will appear, allowing you to assign a name to the virtual track.
7	Assign a new name to the virtual track.
For details on how to assign a name, refer to page 25.

Saving the current song
This section explains how to save the current song to the hard disk. If you accidentally turn off the power of the AW1600 without saving the song, all recordings or operations that you performed since last saving the song will be lost. You should make a habit of saving the song at appropriate breaks in your work.

1	In the Work Navigate section, repeatedly press the [SONG] key or hold down the [SONG] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the LIST page.
In this page you can select a song on the hard disk, and load or delete it.

1	List
This is a list of the songs saved on the hard disk. The line enclosed by a dotted frame in the center of the list is the song to which your operation you perform will apply. The highlighted line is the song that is currently loaded into the AW1600. (This is referred to as the "current song.")

2	SORT field
Use these three buttons to select how the songs in the list will be sorted. You can choose NAME (sort alphabetically), OLD (sort by date of saving), or SIZE (sort by size).

3	SAVE button
When you move the cursor to this button and press the [ENTER] key, the current song will be saved.

2	Move the cursor to the SAVE button and press the [ENTER] key.
A popup window will ask you to confirm that you want to save the current song.
3	To save the song, move the cursor to the OK button and press the [ENTER] key.
If you move the cursor to the CANCEL button (instead of the OK button) and press the [ENTER] key, the Save operation will be cancelled.

NOTE
The song save operation always saves the current song, regardless of the song that is selected in the list.
You cannot save a song that is protected. If for example you have edited the mixer settings and need to save the song, you must disable the protect setting and then save the song. (Making various settings for a song -> p. 146)

HINT
If necessary, you can change the name of the song before you save it (-> p. 145).
In the following situations, a popup window will ask whether you want to save the current song; when you load an existing song from the hard disk, when you create a new song, or when you shut-down the AW1600.
 However, we recommend that you frequently save the song you are working on, as a safeguard against accidents such as the AW1600's power cable being accidentally disconnected.

Loading an existing song
Here's how to load an existing song from the hard disk.

1	In the Work Navigate section, repeatedly press the [SONG] key or hold down the [SONG] key and use the CURSOR [Up]/[Down] keys to access the LIST page.
2	Turn the [DATA/JOG] dial to select a song.
3	Move the cursor to the LOAD button in the screen, and press the [ENTER] key.
A popup window will ask you whether you want to save the current song.
4	Move the cursor to either YES (if you want to save the current song) or NO (if you do not want to save the current song), and press the [ENTER] key.
The song you selected will be loaded.

NOTE
If you select NO, all changes you made after last saving the current song will be lost.


This is the end of the file.