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All modern DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations) offer multiple views of your project. Like just about anything computer based there are multiple ways to do the same thing and perhaps part of what makes a personal computer – personal. We selected the three views that we use the most in Sonar 8 when working on a project and listed some of the things you can do from each view.

The first view is called the Track View and probably where we spend most of our time. It allows access to most everything you need when working with MIDI or audio based data. In the MIDI world you can set volume and channel information along with panning and reverb levels. You also have access to the MIDI bank and patch commands allowing you to select the instrumentation used in your arrangement.

If you work with audio tracks, similar to above, you can set all of the various levels. In addition, you can access any of  the built-in effects processors that you may want to add to a a track. Out of the box Sonar provide a nice selection of reverbs, compressors, delays, flangers… the list goes on.

Sonar 8 Track View

If we are not working in the track view than you will probably find us in the event list view. While this is used in the MIDI world only, it allows you to drill down to an individual note or any other MIDI event and make adjustments to a single event. For example, you may have one track that has cymbals crashes on it and find that one event is considerably louder than all the others. A quick fix is to bring up the event list view, find the offending cymbal crash, and change the velocity up and down to match the velocity of the other cymbal crashes.

Sonar 8 Event List View

As we have stated to work with more audio data, we have also started working with the console view. Pretty much as the name implies, it brings up a virtual console similar to a physical mixer you would find in a studio. You can use the console view for both MIDI and audio tracks and also with projects that contain both track types. All of the same editing features found in the track view mentioned above are available in the the console view.

Sonar 8 Console View

We would be interested to hear and learn how you use the different views available in your favorite DAW. Drop us a note – We might just start using a new view!

If you read our posting titled “A look at the General MIDI and General MIDI 2 Bank Commands” this video shows a few examples of using the bank commands in a GM2 format file to access an additional 128 patches along with additional drumsets.

In the midst of working on a project earlier this week, we remembered a feature in Sonar that we used a few years ago and had forgotten about. Let’s take a quick look at the Play List feature. What is it and what can you do with it?

It provides a quick way to build a list of tunes and automate the playback of those tunes.

• For example if you are working on a CD project:
• Allows you to take a listen to the overall mix of the songs and verify the overall balance before you burn that master copy.
• Similar to above  -  take a listen to the songs on your latest project and re-arrange the order of tunes.
• During a live show, while you are on a break, don’t play someone else’s music – let it play some of  your pre-recorded tunes.
• I’m sure there are others ways to use the feature. Add your thoughts in the comment section.

Sonar Playlist Feature

To build a playlist:

• From File, Click New and choose Play List Set from the list, click OK.
• Add songs to the play list – Click or press Insert, choose a file from the Add Song to Play List dialog box, and click Open
• Change the order of songs – Simply drag the file to the desired location in the list.
• Remove a song from the play list – Select the song and click the Delete icon.
• Set the delay after a song – Click on the song in the play list, click the hour glass icon in the toolbar. You have three options:

1. No delay.
2. Wait for Key Press.
3. Wait “x” number of seconds.

• Save the play list – Chose File-Save, enter a file names, and click Save.
• Activate the play list – Click the “enable play list icon” in the Play List view toolbar so that the button is pressed. If this button is not pressed, only a single file will play when you start playback.
• Choose the starting song – Double-click the file you want to start with. The project is opened and displayed as usual.
• Start playback – press the Spacebar.
• Stop playback – press the Spacebar.
• Loop continuously over the play list – Click the Loop icon in the Play List view toolbar.

A nice, useful and simple feature to use. Give it a try on your next production.

Sonar 8.5 is now available for download or order from the Cakewalk site.

From the Cakewalk site:

SONAR 8.5 Producer gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by the industry’s leading 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8.5 Producer delivers the go-to production tools you want with the best collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any DAW.

With version 8.5, SONAR continues to innovate on all fronts. New beat creating and arrangement tools, a new drum instrument loaded with stellar kits, enhanced audio quantizing, new multi-stage effect plug-ins, and more combine together to make SONAR the most complete, most professional, and best sounding DAW on any platform.

What’s new in the next version of Sonar? The list just keeps getting better and continues to grow.

New features :

• The next version of SONAR Producer will offer non-linear arranging of audio & MIDI with a new cell-based view
• The next version of SONAR Producer will allow you to run 32-bit plug-ins in 64-bit OSes, now accessing up to 128GB RAM
• The next version of SONAR will now let you work with REX loops natively in the track & other views (x86 version only)
• The next version of SONAR Producer will make it easier to create drum tracks with a new instrument
• The next version of SONAR will make your drum tracks sound totally pro with kits from Steven Slate & Ocean Way
• The next version of SONAR will make creating submixes even easier with an updated Insert Send Assistant
• The next version of SONAR will help you create even better step sequenced tracks with the best capabilites of any DAW
• The next version of SONAR’s probability feature will keep your step sequenced patterns sounding fresh
• The next version of SONAR will allow you to swap audio & MIDI devices without restarting SONAR
• The next version of SONAR will run more efficiently on your PC when recording audio & looping
• The next version of SONAR Producer will give you superior tones for drum & percussion with a new 7-stage processor
• The next version of SONAR will let you access a all your loops, grooves & MIDI patterns with a new multi-format browser
• The next version of SONAR will offer improved compatibility with your VST plug-ins
• The next version of SONAR will include a Bit Decimator, Tempo Delay, Mod Filter, and High Frequency Exciter
• The next version of SONAR will improve audio time shifting with a transient tool, proportional stretching, & easier UI
• The next version of SONAR will sound better when time shifting vocals, reeds, brass instruments, & multitrack drums
• The next version of SONAR’s Proportional Stretching can provide gradual timing adjustments across several transients
• The next version of SONAR will allow you to arpeggiate your MIDI notes or automation in new ways
• The next version of SONAR will make it easier to edit and arrange with grid lines either behind or in front of clips
• The next version of SONAR will enhance compatibility with 32-bit plug-ins in x64 with built-in support for open VST loaders
• The next version of SONAR will allow you to solo from fx plug-ins making it easier to hear the effect
• The next version of SONAR Producer will help you shape & sculpt vocal tracks with an optimized 7-stage processor
• The next version of SONAR will make it quicker to Freeze & Archive with buttons on each track
• The next version of SONAR will run on your new Windows 7 machine…no worries, it’s tested, ready, & recommended for use

If you have the 32 or 64 bit version of Sonar 8 you will have access to an MP3 Encoder out of the box that will allow you to export your project as an MP3 file. After the initial eval period you will need to purchase and download the MP3 activation utility from Cakewalk. Easy to do and all handled online.

We have been up and running fine on the 32 bit version for quite some time. After we upgraded to the 64 bit version of Sonar we found that we could no longer export files in MP3 format. The same activation process runs without error on the 64 bit version but you still will not be able to export in MP3 format.

After some poking around on the Cakewalk site and not finding a good answer, a quick call to tech support was in order. They will verify that you own the activation module. Once that has been taken care of you will get sent a link via e-mail to the 64 bit version of the activation code.

Not the end of the world but something that needs to be added to the MP3 activation page and remove the need to call Tech Support to get the correct version.

If you follow Cakewalk on Twitter they have started to list some of the new features that will be included in the next version of Sonar. Here’s what they have announced so far:

New features :

• The next version of SONAR Producer will offer non-linear arranging of audio & MIDI with a new cell-based view
• The next version of SONAR Producer will allow you to run 32-bit plug-ins in 64-bit OSes, now accessing up to 128GB RAM
• The next version of SONAR will now let you work with REX loops natively in the track & other views (x86 version only)
• The next version of SONAR Producer will make it easier to create drum tracks with a new instrument
• The next version of SONAR will make your drum tracks sound totally pro with kits from Steven Slate & Ocean Way
• The next version of SONAR will make creating submixes even easier with an updated Insert Send Assistant
• The next version of SONAR will help you create even better step sequenced tracks with the best capabilites of any DAW
• The next version of SONAR’s probability feature will keep your step sequenced patterns sounding fresh
• The next version of SONAR will allow you to swap audio & MIDI devices without restarting SONAR
• The next version of SONAR will run more efficiently on your PC when recording audio & looping

We just went though the upgrade from version 1.0 to version 1.5 of pyro Audio Creator. No issues encountered during the upgrade although we were not able to install a 64-bit version. During the upgrade process a message came up telling us the 1.0 64-bit version we were running would be un-installed and the 1.5 version would be installed BUT 1.5 was only available in a 32-bit version. Other than that, a great utility to have in your toolkit.

Fixes/Changes in 1.5:

• Gapless (redbook) audio CD support
• Support for DVD & Blu-ray data disc authoring
• Real-time driver mode switching (no longer need to restart AC if you change driver modes)
• Improved support for USB Microphones
• Improved audio I/O stability / reliability

Fixes:

• Burner: Save & load disc layouts (project files)
• Burner: Save as disc image (.iso)
• Burner: Burn disc from disc image (.iso)
• Burner: Test burn mode now available
• Burner: Option to verify data after burn (checks for errors on disc – data discs only)
• Ripper & Burner: Resizable window / dialog
• Ripper & Burner: Drive ID now shown in status bar
• Ripper: Option to manually refresh drive contents (via “Refresh” button)
• Encoder: Improved MP3 encoding (better, faster)
• Tagger: Auto-capitalize function added (“Ctrl+t” to apply title case to track, artist & album tags)
• Tagger: “Add to iTunes” option (automatically adds tagged MP3s to iTunes library)
• Tagger: Resizable window / dialog
• Tagger: “Delete” key now works
• Tagger: Improved handling of Read-only & corrupted MP3 files
• Tagger: “Alt+L/R Arrow” Shortcut fixed (skip thru tracks via “Alt+L Arrow” or “Alt+R Arrow” key commands)
• Editor: Improved Zoom / Scroll bar
• Editor: Pan envelope now resets to center position after deleting
• Editor: Warn on sample rate change
• Publisher: Improved GUI (user interface)
• Publisher: Misc. bug fixes to improve stability / reliability

For years we have recorded, our own drum parts one track at a time. We would start off and record a track with a bass and snare drum or rim shot. After that had in some hithats or ride cymbals slip a few breaks in, plus an intro and ending and we were done. Using a keyboard as the controller makes it almost impossible to put in realistic rolls, fills, etc. Along the way we have also used drum pads to trigger, the drum instruments. That does make a big improvement but we are keyboard players first and drummers, well maybe second!

Recently we looked at some of the loops available from the folks over at SmartLoops. It’s a different approach to making music for us but helps us come with some fresh ideas for new arrangements.

To learn a little more about the topic take a look at “Get Looped” on the Cakewalk site or watch a short video on the subject.

If you are interested in learning more about the Roland V-Studio 700 check out the latest review in Mix magazine.

http://mixonline.com/gear/reviews/cakewalk-roland-vstudio-studio-system-review/index.html