JoseC

7 hours ago, scook said:

If this helps, the way I got around the port issue was using an FX Chain see http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3768664

I have not messed with VCV Bridge in some time but this trick still appears to work.

I just had time to check that the port numbers persist with your FX Chain, and sure they do! Thanks again!

1 hour ago, scook said:

If this helps, the way I got around the port issue was using an FX Chain see http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3768664

I have not messed with VCV Bridge in some time but this trick still appears to work.

Thanks again, I will try that as soon as I have a minute. 

29 minutes ago, scook said:

Not sure if it is worth the effort. The VCV Bridge is a temporary solution introduced a little over a year ago. It is not really supported by the VCV developer.

There is a VST version of of VCV Rack based v0.6 that works with CbB called VeeSeeVST Rack (the kvr thread has links to the development on GitHub). It has most of the free modules (although a few are missing such as NYSTHI and Vult). It also does not have any of the paid modules. Pretty sure development stopped with VCV Rack v1.0 was released. Still may be a better plug-in solution for now.

Thanks, scook. I already explained the state of things to Noel by PM, but it seems that he got interested nonetheless, which tells a lot about his commitment to  CbB and its users. Not that we had not noticed, but still. 

The bridge is unsupported in v 1.0, but is working here fine, with this minor annoyance in CbB, that does not exist in Ableton Live, at least. Differences between v 0.6 and v 1.0 of VCV Rack are important enough to try and make it work.

I am using Bridge instances just as audio inputs in CbB, with all midi sent from CbB to VCV Rack using virtual midi cables, and it works fine this way. The only thing is having to set bridge port numbers every time I open the CbB file, that is something I can live with until v 2.0 arrives and VCV Rack becomes a full VSTi as announced.

40 minutes ago, Noel Borthwick said:

Hi @JoseC, we looked at VCV. This is a completely different issue and its caused because the plugin is a minimal wrapper that doesn't handle chunked data saving. It also doesnt support a default vst program so our code is not saving any state for it. We'll try and handle this corner case where the plugin has no programs and no chunks.
This is really an outlier case though. I haven't seen any plugs like this before 

Thanks a lot, Noel for taking your time to take a look a this. You are the best!!!!

4 hours ago, martin said:

sorry i dont understand..

what do i drag?

How did you do that? Here, as soon as I insert a note in the Step Sequencer, a midi clip gets created in the track. I have tried to get the results that you show, but I always get a new clip, that can be dragged anywhere.

Anyway, what I do is to open the PRV first and choose there just the notes or scale that I am going to use there, inserting a note for each. Then I right click in the new clip to make it a Step Sequencer pattern. This way the Step Sequencer opens with the rows I need. 

I am currently using VCV Rack connected to CbB with its Bridge plugin. For some reason, the Port number is not saved, and if I use multiple instances I need to reasign the port every time I load the project in Cakewalk. Since the VCV Rack bridge is actually on its way out until next version, when a VST is announced, I was just waiting for it to fix the problem. Maybe this will fix it. Everything is saved and recalled correctly in Ableton Live, btw.

Just grab it with the mouse and drag it to wherever you want, just like any other clip.

42 minutes ago, MusicMan11712 (aka Dr. Steve) said:

Thank you for these tips!!! I need to carve out some more time to expand my explorations of the step sequencer based on these ideas.  

I had done a simple test, basically: (1) a 1 measure, 3-instrument pattern that looked like what I imagined in my mind's ear (non-realtime mode--just clicking the buttons), (2) another 2 instruments entered on another midi track, and (3) a visually syncopated  ride cymbal in the 2nd 1/2 of the measure on a third midi track. All 3 were done with clean step sequencer slates.

So, I have been wondering where to go, and these tips point me in what sounds like an excellent direction.

ASIDE: One main usage of Cakewalk Discussion seems to be Problem-Solution.  However, in the discussions, I see all kinds of wonderful tips.  I have wondered if it would be possible/desirable to add a dimension to the reaction nature of the Disussion Interface: In addition to Like, Thanks, etc. TIP: Step Sequencer  (for example), with the potential to search TIPs and subcategories.  (Just wondering out loud.)

 

One thing to experiment with is using the Step Sequencer with the Matrix to experiment with polyrythms, like setting up a slightly shorter sequence, like 15/16 and looping it against the main beat until it cycles back. With the Matrix it is easy to make the sequence shorter or  longer and then recording the output when you get results that you like, instead of dragging patterns around in Track View. And don't forget that you have Swing per step, too.

17 minutes ago, GreenLight said:

Yes, I've used step probabilities a little when programming hi-hat patterns, I think I'll investigate it a bit more...

How is Matrix best put to use, if you're only doing studio work? I suppose it's a Live-style pattern trigger feature? I've never really investigated it...

The main error with the Matrix is thinking that it is like Live's Session view, trying to use it like it and becoming frustrated. It is not Session View, but it can be a useful tool, even though it still needs some more work to be done, especially to use it with the Step Sequencer. The main setback is that you can not do any editing from a Matrix cell, it is basically just a player.  You create your patterns or loops in a track, and then drag them to a cell in the Matrix. Currently you can create and edit a Step Sequencer pattern from a Matrix cell, but you can not listen to changes while the Matrix is running, you need to stop the Matrix and start it again, which makes it a little clunky workflow.

Having said that, besides the obvious use as a scratch pad and repository for storing patterns, loops and ideas that you want to try but not want to clutter your Track View, or even as an arranging tool to create sections and recording the output, I also use it to send sysex and CC commands to hardware synths, for example:

I have a Waldorf MicroQ rack that only outputs arpeggiated notes to its midi out when set to Local On. Problem is, there is no front panel way to do it, just CC messages, and the synth always initializes itself in Local Off. So I have two short midi patterns with just a CC message, one for Local On and another for Local Off and drag them to a Matrix row pointing to that synth, set like one shots, and I can send them with just a mouse click, or even map an external controller to do it. 

Anyway, once you get over the current poor integration with the Step Sequencer, for me the best use is what I said before, generate and record pattern variations using the step probability. Since you can do it for all CC parameters, you have a very powerful tool that will generate not only variations in notes and velocities but also in any other parameter automation, in a controllable, not random way.

43 minutes ago, GreenLight said:

Unfortunately no (as others already said) and the step sequencer does also not follow playback position if you have extended your step sequencer clip using groove clip looping (CTRL+L).

Step sequencers in general are probably most used for drum programming for electronic dance music and hiphop, but I recently got a great melodic sequence out of it for a techno track, with some great happy accidents when clicking and removing notes.

It would benefit from some more polishing though...

As I said above, you can automate that using step probabilities and recording the Matrix output. I agree with you that it needs more polishing. If its integration with the Matrix was a bit better it would be a more powerful tool than it looks at first sight.

Different tools for different tasks. CbB's Step Sequencer is like those sequencers found in synthesizers and drum boxes, it is not meant for complex midi writing. OTOH, you can get very interesting results with it if you use its probability  features to introduce variations in hi hat patterns, or in synth patterns for old styles like Berlin School, for example. I let the pattern play in the Matrix and record the output. 

20 hours ago, jackson_js22 said:

 

Is there a way to force Step Sequencer to "follow" the song progression ?

Hope this makes sense .....

 

 

I have not tried, but I think that step sequencer clips should follow pitch markers in the timeline if you decide to use them, but they would only transpose the sequence chromatically, not fit to a scale, AFAIK.

On 18 de agosto de 2019 at 12:48 PM, JoeGBradford said:

You can never have too many Finns ?

Said the shark. 

León, Northwest Spain.

The midi activity that you are seeing might be Active Sensing or even Midi Clock if the Z1 is sending any, or both types of messages. I don't believe that modern synths use Active Sensing anymore, but old digital synths did. 

5 minutes ago, Robert Bone said:

I, too, am a bit confused why this would be happening with your setup - it seems like a settings and/or a device issue, that is either not working right, or is not configured right.

I see you mention currently running Windows 10.  I looked at the RME site for any drivers for that interface, and maybe I am missing the boat, but is this interface even supported anymore?  If so, I don't seem able to select your interface on the drivers download page.  IF this link is the correct one, you please tell me what I need to do to pull up available drivers for your model of interface, for ANY version of Windows, let alone Windows 10. 

(https://www.rme-audio.de/en/downloads/driver_updates_readme_hdsp.php) 

When you have Cakewalk running, you should see a little keyboard icon in the Windows 10 System Tray (bottom right corner of your display monitor - you may need to expand the display of items in the System Tray, by clicking on the arrow that points up).  Anyways, when you trigger notes on the Z1, do you see any little tiny light turning on and off on that little music keyboard icon?  (the little music keyboard icon is supposed to show midi activity, so when notes are triggered, it should have a little red activity indicator light go on and off on that keyboard icon - a bit to the left of the center of the keyboard icon).  I see this turning on and off when I play notes on the Roland A-800 Pro midi controller I currently have hooked up to the computer using a USB cable - I do not know if connecting your Z1 through your RME card using a standard midi connector would also result in that midi activity indicator light go on and off - just because I do not know if that midi activity app in the system tray works for old-school midi cable connected devices, such as your Z1.

I had mentioned earlier a suggestion of designating Omni or None on the midi track's Input, and I am unsure of whether or not you have  tried running this way.  I saw where you indicated it is set to something other than Omni or None, so please try changing to one of those.   If set to Omni, the midi track should send ANY midi data received, to the Kontakt instance.  

In any case - it is a good thing you have a new controller/keyboard coming, so this issue shouldn't persist beyond when they new device arrives.

Bob Bone

 

My main controller is a twenty year old Kawai K5000S synth conected to an ancient usb MOTU MidiexpressXT interface and its activity shows in the Windows 10 system tray midi  activity icon. So does a usb midi cable connected to the DIN midi ports of my Tascam audio interface. I have currently six devices in total that send midi data to my computer and all show in the system tray with the latest W10, CbB and Komplete 12 updates, including Kontakt, Massive and FM8. I would bet that considering what he says, other controller won't make a difference. I could lose, though. 

10 hours ago, Christian Jones said:

Hi Robert, well in my very first post you can see exactly how I have everything set up, starting from the third paragraph. Pretty sure I have everything set up right; it's set up the same way it was for my M-Audio Oxygen except the input on the Midi track is now set to the midi interface input the Z1 is hooked up to for channel 1. The Z1 can trigger Kontakt in standalone mode through this midi interface so I know the midi interface works. 

Have you tried all the possible input ports in that track? I don't know how many input ports you have in your interface, maybe CbB doesn't assign numbers to them as expected. Did you try setting input channel to Omni or None in that track?

Have you tried with a new project and track? Maybe your project or project template is corrupted somehow.

Have you got any other program running at the same time that might use your midi driver? Close all apps, restart CbB and check.

At this point, if none of the above show any midi arriving into CbB, I would reinstall CbB. If the Z1 is working fine with standalone synths, while its input does not even show in any midi activity indicator in CbB, I don't think that any other controller will work, either. 

Yes, I am curious about that, too. If you had any other midi device you could test if this is actually a problem with just the Z1. Did you check what I told you about not being filtering notes in midi preferences? Does the Z1 mod wheel or any other controller data get recorded? 

Check that in Preferences/Midi/Playback and recording the Record Notes box is not unchecked.

He wrote that he can trigger Kontakt from the Piano Roll, so this is is between the synth and CbB. 

Maybe CbB is filtering out input data, for some reason?

That should be specified in the manual, then, because it states that Assignable Controls can be recalled every time the synth is inserted again, after being created once. Track templates are my preferred way of inserting synths, but that method is not supported. 

Remote Control assignments are also not saved with track templates, this should also be improved, because makes that feature incomplete, IMHO.

On 7/9/2019 at 8:05 PM, scook said:

Just a few comments before my test results.

• Whether assignable controls are added to the synth depends on the "Recall Assignable Controls" setting in the Insert Soft Synth Options dialog.
• The Add Track does not use the Insert Soft Synth Options settings and it does not recall assignable controls. It probably should have this option in the advanced settings or the synth rack should have an option to recall assignments.

 

So I started tested earlier today using SI-Bass and CbB 2019-05. I believe it failed like this

Ultimately, I saved the project with a control assigned to the Master volume.

I repeated the test with Platinum 2017-10 with the same results (I think) and ultimately overwrote the project saved with CbB.

Then tested in X3e. It does not have the Add Track menu but all other methods worked OK and then I overwrote the project again.

Retested in Platinum. It was working OK.

Retested in CbB. It was working correctly.

 

Just fired up CbB again, used different synths and controls are recalled using every method except Add Track (which is expected).

IOW, after the tests I ran this morning I am no longer able to reproduce the problem.

Thanks for your reply, scook.

So, it is confirmed that Add Track does not recall Assignable Controls.

I tested again with a Track template saved with all assignable Controls created, and that method does not recall them either, as I stated in my  original post.

6 hours ago, Lee D said:

I think you captured part of it.  After giving it some thought, my hypothesis is that the free services provided by Bandlab have the goal of collecting and running analytics on an increasing number of users for the purposes of:

1) Creating brand recognition and loyalty

2) Marketing other products in the Bandlab portfolio

3) Assisting with product development

4) Selling this data to 3rd party partners and services

I think that Cakewalk will be modified in the future to collect user data and to more tightly integrate with the Bandlab ecosystem.  This might even allow them to collect data on the usage of the other equipment such as the audio interfaces, guitars, etc which would give a big step up in terms of product development and marketing.

So, yours is the Big Brother theory. Cakewalk as a big marketing Trojan. Around here we call that "conspiranoid"

Nobody?