Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

I have a hundred or so one-shot hi-hats (each as a separate clip on one single Audio track), and would like to slightly randomise the volume of each (by maybe 5%) so that it feels more human. Is there an easy way to do this, without modifying the volume of each clip separately?

The effect I am after is similar to that which can be achieved using MIDI velocity randomisation

PT12.8
Windows 10

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

So why not just randomise the velocity then? That would more closely follow what a real drummer does.

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

Can that be done in bulk with one-shot audio clips (ie. not MIDI)?

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

Not natively that I know of; maybe a script or drawing in volume automation would work.

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

Hm, if they have a common length that fits on a grid it's not a problem at all. Switch the grid to the length of the clips, put them all on one track with "Timeline drop order left to right". Work in grid mode, show the volume automation line and use the pencil tool in random mode. The up and down movement of the pencil sets the maximum amount.

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

To me, this is not the ideal way to do it. Things to consider:
1-using midi to replace a hihat seems like a better option(using a drum VI such
as Superior Drummer 3)
2-random is not really what you want. Its more likely that you actually need 3-
4 levels at most to cover normal player dynamics.
3-were all your 100 or so hits played by a person? If not(and they are all
exactly the same volume), then I would start over and record a person
playing.
4-how about loading some hits into a sample player(Structure?), and
playing/triggering with a midi controller where you can play with dynamics?
5-since there's usually 4 ways to anything in digital, what's the end goal?
Maybe there's another method that would get the desired results:o

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

You could grab the triangle version of the pencil tool and draw in a quick volume automation.

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

Thanks for this.

It might require a bit of rework on the current project I'm working on, but it seems like getting the sounds into MIDI might be the best workflow for me moving forward. I have a MPD218 that includes MPC essentials plugin, so can add the drum sounds to give efficient control over features such as velocity and volume.

Appreciate everyone's advice!

Re: Bulk randomise volume of audio clips
 

Thanks for this - was pretty much what i was looking for!