Arranging in Midi or wave?

[Hardnox]

I was wondering at what stage folks out their arranged, while still in midi or after printing to wave. Wouldn't it be better to record just loops down to wave in order to save drive space and then arrange? For example, is it better to record a loop to wave, then repeat for the desired length or record to wave a repeated midi loop? How do you guys and gals work?

[Hardnox]

Come on folks...I feel rejected.

[pk_hat]

If it's truly a redundant segment, then yes. Record one pass as audio and Ctrl+D however many times you need it.
If you're talking intricate MIDI drum parts, it's a lot easier to edit while in midi until you are truly satisfied with the arrangement. Things like velocity, arpeggios, filter sweeps, panning, etc...do all of these while they are midi notes.
You can even open up 4 midi drum tracks and separate your hi-hats, snares, kicks on separate tracks for even more detailed mixing (should you want to or have the time!)
This would of course apply to all your midi parts, piano, strings, bass, etc..
My advice is do everything you can short of applying effects and plug-ins in MIDI, then record each track (one at a time) as audio. Once there, if all sounds good, then you can imagine what it can sound like when you add compressors, reverbs and delays!
Most people delete their MIDI tracks once they are audio, but I prefer to keep them, even hidden, just in case of a last minute change, or furhter remixing down the road.

Hope this helped, good luck.

pk

[Hardnox]

Big Help! Thank you for your advice!

[Kev]

Never delete the midi tracks.

They are so small, it wont free up much drive space and offer a way of sending your song over the net etc.

Export them as a self contained song. It is all part of backing up. Archive your songs as if you don't have ProTools and then you can rebuild them on any system.