What Take Is It?

What Take Is It? is a software application to coordinate and streamline the recording session. It is developed by Pouya Hamidi and Denis Martin.

During a recording session, the take number (ex: Take 5) corresponds to a set of audio files of an individual performance stored on the computer's hard drive. Coordination between the studio engineer and producer is required such that everyone is aware of the current take number while recording. The engineer logs this information in the technical documents and the producer logs this information when keeping track of the various performances. What Take Is It? synchronizes with the recording system to automatically display the current take number for everyone in the recording session on a large display. This simplifies the communication between production personnel and avoids the frequent question what take is it?. This simplification speeds up production workflows and reduces the number of costly mistakes in take logging.

The program features:

• Recording status indication
• Take number and false start indication
• MIDI connectivity to a controller
• Import/Export of MIDI controller assignments
• Synchronization with Pro Tools playback via HUI protocol
• Tap tempo
• Date and time

The process can be as simple as connecting a MIDI controller or using the computer keyboard to trigger the application.

System Requirements

• What Take Is It? uses the Web MIDI API so it can run in most modern browsers on computers and mobile devices, except for Safari, which can't make use of the MIDI/HUI functionality.
• Browser Compatibility (as of Mar 11, 2024):
• Google Chrome (version 88 or later)
• Mozilla Firefox (version 108 or later)
• Microsoft Edge (version 79 or later)
• Opera Browser (version 30 or later)
• MIDI input control compatibility
• Software can be controlled with a MIDI controller connected to the browser. This device needs to have a class compliant driver or custom drivers installed so the computer/mobile device that runs the browser can recognize the controller.
• Pro Tools record status synchronization compatibility:
• Pro Tools can be connected via the HUI Protocol so that What Take Is It can automatically display the record status of the session triggered in the DAW. This feature has been tested in the following two configurations:
• Windows 10 and Pro Tools 2024.3.0
• MacOS 13 Ventura and Pro Tools 2024.3.0

Developed by Pouya Hamidi (pouyahamidi.com) and Denis Martin (University of Toronto).