Whether you’re mixing down or pulling individual tracks for use with a collaborator, SONAR’s flexible export options make the process fast and simple. Continue reading “SONAR X1- The DAW that plays well with others”
How to edit multiple MIDI notes simultaneously with the Event Inspector in SONAR
Did you know that you can use the Event Inspector to easily edit multiple data events (such as MIDI notes) simultaneously?
In SONAR, right-click the Control Bar and choose Event Inspector Module to make the Event Inspector visible. If you don’t see it appear, you may need to hide some of the other Control Bar modules. Next, select some data (such as a group of MIDI notes) and then click a field in the Event Inspector. Either type in a new value or click the spin controls to change the value sequentially.
In addition, you can use modifiers (+/-) to change values. For example, if you want to add 23 to a velocity value of 37, type +23 for the Vel parameter and SONAR will automatically change the value to 60. The plus and minus modifiers work for all parameters, but the Vel (velocity) and Duration parameters can also accept a percentage for scaling values. For example, with 100% representing the current value, if you want to lengthen selected notes by 20%, enter 120% for the Duration value. If you want to shorten the same notes by 20%, enter 80%. For even more details and to see the Event Inspector in action, check out the following video. Versions 8.5 (and earlier) as well as X1 (and later) are covered.
Cakewalk SONAR – Event Inspector Editing video (With Ads)
And for full SONAR coverage, check out the SONAR X1 Power! book now available in the Cakewalk store.
Recording guitars- A survival guide pt2: Microphones, your DAW's ears
In part two of the series let’s take a look at another crucial element for recording guitars, the microphone.
Just as a speaker plays a large role in the sound of an amp, the microphones used to record it are just as important to getting that tone into a recording. And just like speakers, all microphones have a different sound. Huge differences in sound can be heard even in mics that sell for the same price so experimentation is key when looking for a mic (or mics) to capture your golden tone. Continue reading “Recording guitars- A survival guide pt2: Microphones, your DAW's ears”
How to Create Deluxe SlapBack Echo Using Channel Tools in SONAR X1
I love to use mono slapback echo to support lead vocals or guitar solos. This classic effect has been used for decades and continues to be an important music production technique. Slapback has its roots in reel to reel tape and is characterized by the vocal or guitar part mixed with a single, audible echo.
While, you might associate this effect with late 50’s rockabilly, slapback echo is probably more common than reverb on modern pop and rock mixes. I often use a slapback delay along with other beat synced stereo delays as an important part of a lead vocal sound.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to set up a master slap-back delay effect in SONAR X1 is to use the Channel Tools effect. Channel Tools is the swiss army knife of effects offering a range of stereo imaging tools that are more handy than glamorous. For this application it’s the simple left and right delay controls that get the job done with minimal complexity.
Here is the setup:
1. Create a bus channel and insert the Channel Tools effect. Label the bus “Slapback”
Continue reading “How to Create Deluxe SlapBack Echo Using Channel Tools in SONAR X1”
QuadCurve EQ Demystified
If you’re a SONAR X1 user then you’ve probably already seen that the free SONAR X1d update has been released for all versions of SONAR X1. And if you’re a SONAR X1 Producer Expanded user, then you’ve probably already noticed that you’ve got a shiny, new EQ in the ProChannel called the QuadCurve EQ.
However, you might be wondering what exactly the deal is with the new EQ and and what the differences are in the four modes.
Hybrid Pure E-Type G-Type
Leading the DAW industry with Windows technology and education for music production
SONAR X1 continues to be the leading the digital audio workstation for the Windows platform for many reasons. For 25 years Cakewalk has focused almost exclusively on development for Windows operating systems and Windows based computer technologies (see our section on SONAR X1 leading technologies for more information). While cross-platform DAWs may seem like a great option if you are not sure which platform you want to run, those who have chosen to use Windows will appreciate the hardwork and dedication by the Cakewalk development team to fine tune SONAR for Windows. This is one of the most cited reasons as to why SONAR dominates on the Windows PC platform. But today, I want to discuss another reason why Cakewalk is a leader in the industry.
Since 2010, Cakewalk has made a commitment to educating all levels of Cakewalk customers on music production. At Cakewalk, we think that post-sales activities are just as important as pre-sales ones, and nothing is more import than making sure users understand and enjoy the software they are using. Continue reading “Leading the DAW industry with Windows technology and education for music production”
How Building Cost Effective Acoustic Treatment for the Music Studio Will Help Your Music Production; Part 3: Wall Panels
[Click on any picture for higher resolution] For the last couple of weeks I have been writing about how I’ve been building custom acoustic treatment panels for my new project studio which is running SONAR X1 Producer Expanded. I started with the sound cloud over the mix position and then showed how I basically cut out all the corners of my room (a square room unfortunately for me) by building corner traps. This week I’ll dive into probably the most important component; the wall panels.
The wall panels are really important for me for a few reasons. (1.) They absorb the first sound reflection from the speakers so that the frequency waves are tamed down, and (2.) They absorb the sound in the room in general to control echo and reverberation. I do a bit of professional moonlighting work on the side including songwriting/production for ESPN Sports Center as well as other commercial stuff, so it’s important for me to have a controlled environment to listen to my mixes and productions on SONAR so that what I deliver is the real-deal. As I stated before, it’s pretty much impossible to create a perfect listening environment unless you are building a room from scratch (floating room, sound proofing inside the walls, etc…,) but it is possible to greatly improve your surroundings. In my own opinion, I think the way to look at it is to figure out what it is you are trying to accomplish before you purchase or build anything. I think some of the important questions to ask are:
*How much can I afford to put into the project?
*Is it important for the place to look professional?
*Will a vibed-out room make you or whoever is using the room feel more creative?
*What are the basic sonic trouble elements to the room?
*Will the room be used for mixing or recording?
*What genre of music will the room be used for (i.e.> Hip-hop with a lot of low end, Jazz, etc…) Continue reading “How Building Cost Effective Acoustic Treatment for the Music Studio Will Help Your Music Production; Part 3: Wall Panels”
CakeTV Live: Video from the Feb 23 2012 SONAR X1 Webinar – Music Production Part 1
Recorded live at Center Staging in Burbank, CA, Cakewalk’s Seth Perlstein and Brandon Ryan bring you the inaugural broadcast of CakeTV Live. Sit back, relax, and hang out as Seth and Brandon show you music production tips, tricks, and techniques in SONAR X1 Producer Expanded, including what’s new in X1d.
Upgrade to SONAR X1 to follow along.
Or download your free trial today!
[UPDATE:] Please join us for the second installment of CakeTV Live on April 26th at 2:00pm PST. Cakewalk’s Brandon Ryan and Seth Perlstein will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks and production techniques using the award winning SONAR X1. In addition to latest news, we’ll delve deep into SONAR X1 using a live musical production demonstration as the centerpiece. Brandon will take the driver-seat on this one showing the capabilities and production techniques involved in creating a short, instrumental, musical cue.
Meet a Rep Returns as Cakewalk JAM Session – Just Ask Me!
For the past several years our Meet a Rep events have been a fantastic alternative to the traditional clinics and scripted demos that have, for the most part, gone the way of the dinosaurs in our industry. Rather than being rehearsed demos, Meet a Rep days were more of a casual hangout where we would show you whatever you wanted to see in SONAR.
Continue reading “Meet a Rep Returns as Cakewalk JAM Session – Just Ask Me!”
CakeTV Live SONAR X1 webinar February 23rd – Free to the public
Join Seth Perlstein for a live webinar on February 23rd, 2PM PST
Sit back, relax, and watch our NAMM demos in the comfort of your own home. In part one of this two-part series, Cakewalk’s Seth Perlstein shares his favorite SONAR X1 music production tips, tricks, and techniques like using the Mod Matrix in FX Chains 2.0, Groove Matching with AudioSnap, creating variations with the Loop Construction View, and much, much more.
Plus, get a sneak peak of the upcoming X1d patch as the entire demo will be done in X1d.
Watch video of the entire SONAR X1 webcast.
Upgrade to SONAR X1 or Download the SONAR X1 Free Trial to follow along.
[UPDATE:] Please join us for the second installment of CakeTV Live on April 26th at 2:00pm PST. Cakewalk’s Brandon Ryan and Seth Perlstein will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks and production techniques using the award winning SONAR X1. In addition to latest news, we’ll delve deep into SONAR X1 using a live musical production demonstration as the centerpiece. Brandon will take the driver-seat on this one showing the capabilities and production techniques involved in creating a short, instrumental, musical cue.