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2. Getting around Amped Studio 2

1

We’ll open things up with Amped Studio and assume you have upgraded to the Premium version. A real draw is that the DAW uses Hybrid Tracks where both MIDI and audio clips can exist on the same track. You can first make tracks by clicking the + icon or by doubleclicking the empty area. 2

You can also drag content from the library over to create a track but the easiest way is to simply double-click on any area within the arrangement and this will automatically create a part which can then be edited. 3

You get the usual Mute and Solo options per track and you can change the name of each by double clicking. If you right-click on a track you can also bring up a menu to easily clone or delete each track.

4

Looping a region is straightforward. Either click the Loop icon to turn the looped section on and off or click the green bar within the loop (shown green above). You can click and drag each end of it to extend or compress the loop length.

5

Amped Studio 2 comes with a number of instrument and effect devices you can use on each track. Add a track and select the Add Device option at the bottom and you will see two tabs for Instrument and Effect. The ones with the crown are only available in your Premium upgrade so you should be able to load them in.

6

To play the devices click on the keyboard icon in the top right of the screen. This opens up the Virtual Keyboard which can be triggered with your computer keyboard. Here we are playing the Volt synth. Press the keyboard icon per track to hear it.

7

There is a content library on the right hand of the UI which contains samples and MIDI files in various category folders under the main ‘Free’ and ‘Premium’ folders. You should have access to both. You can audition the sounds by clicking the Play or Loop icons.

8

Once you are happy with a sound you can simply drag it onto your arrangement into an existing track or create a new one. Here we’ve dragged a bass in from the Free folder and drums from the Premium.