Save my work to audio or midi file?

Software Instruments Pigments
#1

Hi,

I just started with Pigments 6 yesterday (FYI). I can’t figure out how to record, save, or export my work in an audio or midi format. There doesn’t seem to be any info in the manual and the Arturia expert never got back to me.

Any suggestions?

Don

#2

Are you using it with a DAW? That would be the most common approach.

#3

It’s on my Mac. I have a midi controller coming. Any suggestions? I have both Garage Band and Audacity, but I don’t know how to connect Pigments 6 to either of them.

#4

There’s a LOT more for you to learn here, but you can load the Pigments AU into a MIDI track in GarageBand:

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#5

I’m sure you’re right, but I’ve searched the manual for Pigments AU (Audio Units?) but can’t find it, and I have no idea how to get to the screen you sent me the shot of. Even tho I can’t find any of what you suggested, at least now I know it’s possible. The manual doesn’t seem to help. Is there a video?.

#6

Nothing for it will be in the Pigments manual; you’ll need to learn the ins-and-outs of GarageBand. When you installed Pigments, it should have also installed the AU plugin version you need.

I’m not a GarageBand user, but it looks like you need to:

  1. Make a Software Instrument Track in GarageBand. (It looks like it defaults to the “Classic Electric Piano” instrument.)

  2. Double-click the track header:
    image

  3. This will open a panel at the bottom of the GarageBand window:

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    Make sure the “Track” and “Controls” items are selected to see the info shown.

  4. In the Plug-Ins section of the displayed panel, click the double-caret button in the green “E-Piano” selection.:
    image

  5. This will open up your plug-ins menu:
    image

  6. Hover over the “AU Instruments” selection, then “Arturia”, then “Pigments”, then select “Stereo”. This will load Pigments into your MIDI track. That green selector will now show “Pigments”:
    image

  7. Click that green “Pigments” selector to open up the Pigments window.

  8. Select your preset in Pigments, and start recording some sweet music! (There may be a lot more for you to learn about GarageBand from here.)

1 Like
#7

Thank you for the help. I’m almost there. The reason I couldn’t find the info was because I was looking in the wrong app! oops.

So I did everything you suggested and it all worked. When I double click the green Pigments button it even gives me a new Pigments window inside Garage Band. The only thing is, when I turn on record in GB, then play something in either PIgments window, nothing happens. Normally, the track turns red when GB is recording, but this one is just not recording.

#8

I think I’m just one step away . . .

#9

So how are you playing stuff?

#10

I’m just playing on the keyboard.

#11

The Pigments keyboard.

#12

If you’re clicking on the keyboard in Pigments, that won’t actually transmit MIDI to GarageBand (afaik). You’ll need a MIDI controller hooked up.

(I’m not sure if GarageBand has the functionality to let you use your computer keyboard to play. That may be an option.)

#13

Ah! I have one coming tomorrow. I’ll try it then. Thanks for all the help.

#14

You’re welcome! :slight_smile:

#15

In the meantime, you can use this menu selection to enable playing with your computer keyboard:
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#16

The controller arrived and (somehow) I got it to work with Pigments and Garage Band—with your help. Thanks.

Also, in which app and how do I access that last “show musical typing” button?

1 Like
#17

That’s in GarageBand, in the menu the top of the screen.