Bulk randomise volume of audio clips

[Tsen Ru]

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

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Tsen Ru

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

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

[Tsen Ru]

Originally Posted by musicman691

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

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

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Tsen Ru

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

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

[Sonopolis]

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.

[albee1952]

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

[BobbyDazzler]

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

[Tsen Ru]

Originally Posted by albee1952

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

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!

[Tsen Ru]

Originally Posted by Sonopolis

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.

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