Loops and Clips

A loop decides which range repeats, while a clip decides what that range contains.

Related

SequenceDAWTempo

A loop decides which passage repeats, while a clip decides what that passage contains, and the two are often confused.

The problem

An eight-bar chorus must repeat sixteen times, and copying it section by section is slow and easily inconsistent. Loops and clips make repetition a structure rather than labour.

How it works

A loop is a range on the timeline; playback jumps back at its end. A clip is a container holding notes or audio that can be copied, trimmed and looped on its own. Clip loop points and project loop points are separate: one travels with the clip, the other with the playhead.

Settings and practice

Place loop boundaries on bar lines and use lengths of four or eight bars. Copy clips as shared instances so one edit changes all. Leave release tails at the seam and never set reverb or delay to zero. Render the loop to full length before export so the seam survives.

What to listen for

Check for a click at the seam, a cut tail, or a lost beat when playback wraps. One bar on each side of the loop makes faults easier to hear.

Common misunderstandings

A loop is not an exact copy; clips with tails overlap when they wrap. Clip looping does not create new events either, so confirm the render range before export.

Sources

• 工程循环与片段循环的差别，依通行 DAW 文档核查，未抄文本
• 循环接缝的尾音与渲染处理，依数字音频工作流通识核查，未抄文本

Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.