Freehand tool

The Freehand tool lets you draw MIDI notes and freehand automation envelopes. You can also create and promote transient markers.

Note: The Freehand tool does not work on audio clips or MIDI clips.

When using the Draw tools to draw note events, use the Value control to specify the duration (whole, half, etc.) of new note events. For details, see Specifying note durations.

Figure 132. Use the Value control to specify the duration of new note events.

A. Draw resolution (note value)

To select the Freehand tool

Do one of the following:

Click the Freehand tool button in the Control Bar.

Press T to display the Tools HUD, then select the Freehand tool.

Press F9.

Note: The F9 shortcut key cycles through all Draw tools (Freehand/Line/Sine/Triangle/Square/Saw/Random). If another Draw tool is selected, press F9 again until the Freehand tool is selected.

Using the Freehand tool on PRV notes

Figure 133. Freehand tool hotspots on PRV notes.

 

Table 94. Using the Freehand tool on PRV notes 

Hotspot	Default action	+CTRL	+ALT	+CTRL+SHIFT
A	Glue notes together	Modify velocity (only when velocity is not shown in the Controller pane)		Draw velocity linearly (only when velocity is not shown in the Controller pane)
B	Draw a new note		Insert a new note

Note 1: To glue notes together, click one note, drag to another note of the same pitch, then release the mouse button.

Note 2: Use the Value control in the Tools module to specify the duration for new note events. You can also click an existing Note event to inherit its duration and apply it to new Note events. For details, see Use note duration value from last touched note.

Using the Freehand tool on automation

Figure 134. Freehand tool hotspots on automation.

 

Table 95. Using the Freehand tool on automation 

Hotspot	Default action	+SHIFT
A	Draw nodes/segments	Insert nodes at the Snap to Grid value without changing the value of the envelope segments (limited to the track the gesture is started on)

Using the Freehand tool on AudioSnap transients

Figure 135. Freehand tool hotspots on AudioSnap transients.

 

Table 96. Using the Freehand tool on AudioSnap transients 

Hotspot	Default action
A	Promote transient marker
B	Insert transient marker

 

See also:

Tools

Smart tool

Select tool

Move tool

Edit tool

Timing tool

Split tool

Line tool

Pattern tools

Erase tool

Mute tool

Scrub tool

Zoom tool