Thank you for choosing What Take Is It? This online help manual is designed to guide you through the features and functionalities of our software to enhance your experience.

Table of Contents

• 1 Getting Started
• 1.1 System Requirements
• 1.2 Setting up Pro Tools and What Take Is It?
• 1.2.1 MIDI Configuration
• 1.2.1.1 MacOS
• 1.2.1.2 Windows
• 1.2.2 Pro Tools Configuration
• 1.2.3 What Take Is It? Configuration
• 2 Using What Take Is It?
• 3 Troubleshooting
• 3.1 Common Issues
• 3.2 FAQs
• 3.3 Contact Support

1 Getting Started

Watch Quick Start Tutorial.

1.1 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

1.2 Setting up Pro Tools and What Take Is It?

1.2.1 MIDI Configuration

To sync Pro Tools and What Take Is It, two internal loopback MIDI buses are required. This will not be set up by default. MacOS has this functionality built in, but a third party application is required for Windows.

1.2.1.1 MacOS

1. Launch the application audio MIDI Setup. You can search for it using spotlight.
2. audio MIDI Setup has two main windows, Audio Devices and MIDI Studio. If MIDI Studio is not already open, you can select it using the menu bar: Window then Show MIDI Studio.
3. In the MIDI Studio window, double click on the IAC Driver.
4. Add two new Ports using the + button. By default they are labeled Bus 1 and Bus 2 and have 1 MIDI In and 1 MIDI Out path each.
5. Ensure the Device is Online using the checkbox and Apply your changes.

1.2.1.2 Windows

We have tested this software successfully using LoopBe30 from nerds.de. However, any internal MIDI loopback bus software should work. The software needs to be able to provide 2 separate MIDI buses. The first bus is used to send data from Pro Tools to What Take Is It. The second bus is used to send data back.

1.2.2 Pro Tools Configuration

Pro Tools is set up the same way, regardless of your operating system. It will be communicating with What Take Is It? Using the HUI protocol. If you are already using MIDI control surfaces with your DAW, this setup may interfere with them.

1. Open Pro Tools.
2. From the menus at the top, select Setup then Peripherals.
3. The Peripherals window should open, navigate to the MIDI Controllers tab.
4. Under the #1 slot:
1. for Type select HUI
2. for Receive From select the second internal MIDI bus you created.
3. for Send To select the first internal MIDI bus you created. This is the bus that will send information to What Take Is It?
4. For # Ch’s the default of 8 is the only option
5. Press OK to save the changes.

1.2.3 What Take Is It? Configuration

1. Under Choose a HUI Device - From Pro Tools select the first internal MIDI bus you created. This should correspond with the HUI Send To value in Pro Tools.
2. Under Choose a HUI Device - To Pro Tools select the secibd internal MIDI bus you created. This should correspond with the HUI Receive From value in Pro Tools.

All done! When you record in Pro Tools, it should also trigger recording in What Take Is It? The same for stopping the transport.

2 Using What Take Is It?

1. Take Indicator
• Take indicator displays the take number currently being recorded. This ensures everyone involved in the recording session will make the correct markings in their scores or note taking devices.
2. False start indicator
• Sometimes one or more attempts are made at the start of a take. This is indicated as false starts and often announced verbally in a recording session so that the producer and the rest of the team in the control room know that they are still on the same take number. False starts are great because they do not disrupt the flow of the musician by stopping and starting the recording machines.
3. RECORD status
• The famous red indicator which announces visually to everyone that the recording machine is now recording.
4. Row of control buttons
• These buttons, which have keyboard shortcuts associated with them, control what is displayed above them. The reset button resets the number to the initial take number value of 0.
5. Tap Tempo
• The tap tempo feature is helpful comparing the tempo of what is being recorded with a previous or upcoming take.
6. MIDI Controller implementation
• An external MIDI controller can be connected to this program and using the MIDI LEARN feature map a controller button or key to each of the program buttons. Steps for making the connection are:
• Select the MIDI device from the Choose a MIDI Device dropdown menu.
• Press the MIDI Learn button to enter the MIDI Learn mode indicated by the colour blue.
• Press the What Take Is It? button that you would like to associate with a MIDI key then press the key on the physical MIDI controller to link the two together.
• Press the MIDI Learn button again to exit the MIDI Learn mode.
7. Import/Export MIDI
• The MIDI controller values assigned to each button can be saved for future use and imported again to save time. They are exported as a simple .txt file to your hard drive.
8. HUI implementation
• The app can communicate directly with Pro Tools using the HUI protocol. Setup instructions are found in Section 1.2.
9. Background color setting
• One fun yet helpful feature of the program is the ability to change the background colour. This is so that the mood in the recording control room can be modified as desired.
10. Date and Time
• Opens a separate tab in the browser which can be separated as a window and moved around.

3 Troubleshooting

3.1 Common Issues

To be updated as we recieve feedback...

3.2 FAQs

Is the program free to use?

Yes! The program is free to use. If you enjoy and find it useful please spread the word and do let us know!

Can you resize the interface?

Yes! Using the Zoom In and Zoom Out feature of the browser one can make the interface larger or smaller. On the MacOS operating system it is usually done by the keyboard shortcuts Command + and Command -

3.3 Contact Support

If you need further assistance, please contact Pouya Hamidi via email. (pouyahamidi@gmail.com)

We hope this manual helps you navigate through our software smoothly. If you have any feedback or suggestions for improvement, feel free to let us know. Thank you for choosing our software!