Sometimes Outputs can be named \u201cOuts or Sends\u201d and sometimes Inputs are labelled \u201cIns or Returns.\u201d If you\u2019re a guitar player then you can associate this concept with the FX Loop that exists on the back of your amp. You use this to Send<\/em> audio to your effects pedals and then back to your Amp\u2019s Return<\/em>.<\/p>\n First, let\u2019s start where audio starts. Typically it begins with an instrument or audio file:<\/span><\/p>\n Upon opening SONAR many users will head straight to their Media Browser and drag in some audio files. Others will take out their Guitar, plug-in, and start recording<\/a>. Either way you must start with some sort of audio signal.<\/p>\n Your instrument must be plugged into a audio interface or something equivalent in order to make sound occur. If you’re unsure what an audio interface is check out this article on picking the right audio interface<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Once inside SONAR there are various things that you can do to your audio, but you are not going to be able to do much with your tracks unless you understand the path that the audio signal follows.<\/span><\/p>\n If you go to Views > Console \u00a0a mixer will appear. Tracks runs up and down in this view and it is where most of your mixing will be spent. Audio Source<\/strong> – Where the audio originally comes from<\/p>\n Track Input<\/strong> – The connection between your audio interface and your audio tracks<\/p>\n Trim Knob<\/strong> – A volume adjustment mostly used to reduce the incoming audio signal<\/p>\n FX Bin<\/strong> – Point of insertion for audio effects<\/p>\n Pan Pot<\/strong> – A balance adjustment for the stereo image. Turning it right puts the audio on the right side of the stereo mix and turning the knob left places the audio signal on the left side of the stereo mix<\/p>\n Fader<\/strong> – Volume adjustment for the audio signal after effects and panning are applied<\/p>\n Track Output<\/strong> – The connection between your \u00a0track and other possible locations in the DAW like a Bus or Main Output<\/p>\n This basic outline of an audio track is the first step in understanding how where your audio travels within SONAR.<\/p>\n Now that you have an understanding of a track’s basic signal flow in SONAR let’s move on to Buses and their functionality in SONAR.<\/p>\n Buses are typically used for sub-mixing multiple audio tracks. For example, Drums can be easily mixed down to 1 stereo bus from as many as 25 audio tracks. Many people also use Buses for duplicating audio signals for effects processing. Buses are separated in SONAR from the Tracks section to keep tracks from getting disorganized in heavy mixing environments.<\/p>\n To access the Buses – go to the “Strips” menu in the Console View and make sure to check “Buses”.<\/em><\/p>\n By looking at the diagram above you can see how the audio signals pass directly to the inputs of a bus. In SONAR the first \u00a0bus is typically named “Master” unless you have customized your own Project Templates and marked something differently. Buses have all the same attributes that a track does except with an added Pan after the Trim knob.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The ProChannel is an analog mixer chock full pro effects embedded right into the Console View. It’s a powerful tool so it’s important to know how to use it within your signal flow.\u00a0When activated, audio passes through your ProChannel first and then hits the FX Bin – where other effects can be inserted. Between the ProChannel and the FX Bin you can make some pretty serious signal chains for all kinds of different scenarios. A great way of changing the tone and sound of your chain is to switch the order of effects. SONAR allows you to quickly rearrange the ProChannel and FX Bin with the added “POST” button.<\/p>\n Your signal flow follows this arrangement when the “Post” button is in it’s default state.<\/span><\/p>\n Input > Trim > ProCh > FX<\/em><\/p>\n When activating the “Post” button your signal flow changes to \u00a0the following:<\/p>\n Input > Trim > FX > ProCh<\/em><\/p>\n Sends are outputs that are located on tracks and buses. You can use these to route audio from a Track to a Bus. You can also used them in the Bus section to route to other Buses.<\/p>\n Sends are always sourced from after the Fader of their assigned track. This means that the Track’s Mute, Solo, and Fader Level will affect the Send. In the event that you do not wish for this to happen all you have to do is deactivate the “Post” button on the track.<\/p>\n For a rundown of how this can be utilized, check out this article on\u00a0The Distance Effect<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is where the grey area may occur for some users. After the bus section the signal flow hits the Mains section – which route directly to the outputs of your audio interface.<\/p>\n You can route Sends, Track Outputs, and Bus Outputs to the Mains section. This is especially helpful when you need to make cue mixes for a session player, or control another set of speakers from SONAR.<\/p>\n To access the Mains – go to the “Strips” menu in the Console View and make sure to check “Mains”.<\/em><\/p>\n Within this signal flow diagram it’s important to note that routing within SONAR can be customized. The way I have the signal flow laid out in this chart shows how SONAR comes routed with a default “Normal” project. As the user you can change your Output routing any way you like. Simply make sure to click on either the Send drop-down menu or the Output drop-down menu to choose which destination you want to set for the Output.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Signal-Flow-1.gif\" "\\"Signal-Flow-1\\"")
<\/a><\/div>\nWhere does my audio travel in SONAR?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nTerms you should know:<\/h3>\n
What is a Bus?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nHere’s Where it Gets Tricky<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nProChannel<\/h3>\n
Sends<\/h3>\n
Post vs Pre Fader Sends?<\/h3>\n
Where does the audio signal go after the Buses?<\/h3>\n
Mains<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nInputs and Outputs in SONAR<\/h3>\n
SONAR’s Audio Signal Flow from Beginning to End<\/h3>\n
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