With all the best intent in the world, no-one has a time machine for those occasions when inspiration strikes before the DAW is up and running. We check out one tool that lets you grab the moment from anywhere without a single button press in the DAW…
In Summary
Rewind from MonkeyC is a resource-light audio notepad that records in the background. Using a rolling ‘conveyor belt’ up to 60 minutes long, it captures any audio or MIDI passing through the studio’s audio and MIDI interfaces. Any event can then be dragged out of Rewind directly into the DAW for true retrospective capture for when inspiration strikes.
Going Deeper
Although the modern DAW brings virtually unlimited creative possibilities, it goes that for the most part even the very best cannot bottle inspiration unless they are actually in record. Despite some musicians and engineers preferring to run into their console to monitor computer-less for writing and arranging, a great many creators rely on their machine for everything.
With disparate sources covering hardware instruments, mics, YouTube videos, or standalone soft synths hitting a studio’s interface, there are plenty of things to miss before the DAW is up and running. Many will be familiar with those times when those noodlings following a quick Tidal or Spotify session are lost forever… For now, most DAWs fall just short of offering true audio and MIDI retrospective record. When inspiration strikes, some might wish for a way of being in record, even before record is pressed…
MonkeyC Rewind In Use
Watch below as we show how Rewind from MonkeyC can be used to capture internal audio, as well as MIDI retrospectively using its rolling record window. This way, any virtual or hardware audio source can be captured alongside any MIDI interface data. We also demonstrate how its Gate function can save on memory before we let Rewind to its party trick as we airlift ideas directly from it into the DAW for development.
Below MonkeyC demonstrate how multiple sources can hit Rewind simultaneously…
In Retrospect
Many studio owners use their computer not only to run their DAW, but also as a wider hub for any pre production or downtime duties. With some of the most useful ideas happening when there is no pressure to deliver, it’s kind of paradoxical that many of those simply evaporate rather than land in the DAW. Though not entirely unique, a tool like Rewind does exactly what creators need; that is to hide in the background diligently bottling everything just in case…
Until 31st July 2023, you can get Rewind for 25% less when you use code PME25DISCOUNT.
A Word About This Article
As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.
Photo by Grooveland Designs on Unsplash