Switching Time Signature Mid-song

[EricFuller]

So I searched the DUC and the Answerbase and I didn't find anything that covered this. I've also checked the Reason manual...haven't checked out the ProTools Help document yet.

I'm currently programming some drums in Reason Adapted for a song that is primarily in 4|4, but that has a section in 7|8. Is there a way to have the time signature switch at that point in the song, and then change back to 4|4 (would have to happen 4 times)? Or do I just need to kind of emulate it using beat placement in Reason and the MIDI tracks in ProTools?

[spkguitar]

Well first, to answer your question, yes it is possible.

haven't checked out the ProTools Help document yet.

And that's why you haven't found the solution.

The specific section of the Reference Guide you are looking for is Chapter 23, in a section titled "Meter Events". I would give you a specific page number, but you didn't mention which version of Pro Tools you are using.

[EricFuller]

Wow, now that's service! I'm running 7.3.1. I figured if it was possible it'd be in Ref Guide, I just needed to go to bed last night and forgot to look. It was 1:30 a.m. and the muse was threatening to keep me working until daybreak.

And now I'm just obsessing over the project and am feeling impatient.

Anyway, I appreciate the input. Is the Ref Guide available online? If not, I'll just check it out at home tonight...I'll find the page .

[spkguitar]

Is the Ref Guide available online?

Yes. HERE. Starts on page 512.

[EricFuller]

Nice, the wait is over. The info is on page 513 (which is also page 527/886) in the 7.3.1 Ref Guide.

Now, the other question is, last night when I inserted Reason into ProTools, it started up with a default of 120bpm, but the song is at 140bpm. Reason overrode the PT bpm. Will it also override meter events, or will it follow ProTool's?

[EricFuller]

Nice, thanks so much spkguitar!!!

[EricFuller]

Found that info about making it affect Reason, too (pg 516):

Realign
The Realign controls let you choose which items
to realign after meter changes have been made.
You can choose to realign meter events, or
choose to realign meter and tempo events, tickbased
markers and tracks, and all or none of the
sample-based tracks.

Meter Ruler Only Applies meter changes to the
Meter ruler only. All other rulers and tracks are
unaffected.

Meter and Tempo Rulers, All Tick-Based Markers
and Tracks, and Sample-Based Markers and
Tracks Applies meter changes to all rulers, tickbased
tracks, and your choice of sample-based
tracks. Time is inserted or deleted as needed at
the end of the selection to preserve the alignment
of material following the selection.

This is so awesome. I can't believe it took me 3.5 years of using ProTools to start using this stuff.

[spkguitar]

Now, the other question is, last night when I inserted Reason into ProTools, it started up with a default of 120bpm, but the song is at 140bpm. Reason overrode the PT bpm. Will it also override meter events, or will it follow ProTool's?

I think you've got that the wrong way around; Reason, when inserted via rewire, follows the Pro Tools tempo. Pro Tools is the Master, Reason is the Slave. So if Pro Tools is at 120, your Reason song, even if it was created at 140, will follow the Pro Tools tempo of 120, and will also follow any Meter Events that you insert into the Pro Tools time line.

[EricFuller]

That's what I would've thought, spkguitar, but the ProTools session, which is months old, was set to 140. When I opened Reason and hit play, all of a sudden my MIDI tracks and my Click track were all slowed way down. I had a minor freak out, and then I saw that Reason was at 120. I switched it to 140 and all was well again.