gmp

Glad to hear it's on the fix list - thanks msmcleod.

What I really like about using the External Encoder is I can create an mp3 and  a wav file at the same time. Just go to Utilities/ External Encoder Configuration utility and put these values in the boxes.

MP3 VBR4 + Wav - file name
Extension - mp3
keep source file - checked
PATH:  C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Shared Utilities
COMMAND LINE:  lame -V4 --vbr-new -m j %I %O

You do need to put 3 Lame files to the 64 bit folder C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Shared Utilities. The 3 files in the Shared Folder are lame.css  lame.exe  lame.dll  If anyone ever needs these I can put them in my MS Onedrive for anyone to retrieve.

About 15 years ago when I set this up, I visited this specialized mp3 forum, where these gurus who were on the cutting edge of mp3 improvements. They gave me the Command Line.

 I found that the VBR 4 was a good compromise between quality and size and was better than even the 192. With variable bit rate the encoder will examine the file and determine which parts need the 320 and which parts are fine with 128 or less.

Once you do all this when you export you'll see your file name you used in the Encoder Configuration in the drop down list. I have 2 configs - mp3 only and mp3 + wav file

I've been using the External Encoder in Sonar and CbB for about 15 years. Worked perfect every time, except with the new version of CbB 2021.09  I haven't gotten any response in the 2021.09 Feedback post, so I wanted to know if anyone else uses it.

I've been creating VBR 4 mp3's which is the variable rate encoding and produces a very high quality mp3. But actually the most important use of the external Encoder is that I can create a wav file and then right away it creates an mp3 - all in one process. Quite a convenience and time saver.

I hope they can fix the bug in 2021.09, but in the mean time, I'd appreciate anyone who's uses that External Encoder to at least chime in and let me know if you're having problems too

9 hours ago, msmcleod said:

Spaces in your filename perhaps? 

You could try using quotes for the %I and %O, command line parameters e.g:

lame -V4 --vbr-new -m j "%I" "%O"
 

I tried the command line with quotes and it still didn't work. What do you mean by Spaces in your filename. The output mp3 file created does always have spaces and that's never been a problem. For an experiment I tried a simple output mp3 file name with no spaces and got the same error message. 

Keep in mind I've been using the same mp3 External Encoder presets for about 15 years with perfect results until this new 2021.09 version.

12 minutes ago, bitflipper said:

Yes, they are modeled after the LA-2A, so they're going to be similar, not only to each other but also to other faithful models of that compressor (e.g. IKM's White 2A Leveling Amplifier).

Personally, I prefer the VST version, but only because I like the tidiness of the fx bin and being able to see at a glance what plugins are in play. Until Mark mentioned it above, I'd never even thought about CA-2A's sidechain input being a differentiator. It's just never occurred to me to sidechain an optical compressor.

Thanks, I also prefer it in the FX bin so I can see it easier. I never like leaving the Inspector open, I like seeing as much Track Pane and Clips Pane as I can even with a big monitor. I'll go back to using CA2A

It appears both were patterned off the same analog compressor. If anyone has an opinion on which one is better as far as it's strength as a compressor, please chime in

I like having the CA2A in the FX bin of my vocal tracks. For me it's easier than having it in Inspector/Pro Channel.

The External Encoder configuration utility is not working right in 2021.09 new export window.

 I have the External Encoder setup to create an mp3 or an mp3 and also a wav file at the same time.  The mp3 is a variable rate mp3 called VBR 4. In the Export window under Format/File Type I can see my custom choices - VBR 4 and also VBR 4 + Wav. Sometimes I can get the VBR 4 to export correctly, other times I get an error message:

Warning the External Encoder returned an error code and the file may have encoded properly

With this error no file is created. 

If I choose VBR 4 + Wav under format/file, no wav file is created, once an mp3 did get created, other times I got the error code.

Here are the settings for creating an mp3 and a wav file at the same time.  I put this in the External Encoder configuration utility window

MP3 VBR4 + Wav - file name
Extension - mp3
keep source file - checked
PATH:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Shared Utilities
COMMAND LINE: lame -V4 --vbr-new -m j %I %O

I also copied the 3 Lame files to the 64 bit folder C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Shared Utilities and used that as the Path. That didn't work either. The 3 files in the Shared Folder are lame.css  lame.exe  lame.dll

All this has worked for about 10-15 years just fine

Through this process I found another nice feature. Once you set a track's height, you can simply double click the waveform icon in the Track pane for that track and it will maximize the track, but when you double click on it again it returns to the exact size you left it. This doesn't require you to check"Lock Height"

21 minutes ago, msmcleod said:

@gmp - You could try this:

1.  SHIFT + double click the clip to zoom the track to full screen
2. ALT + Z to return to the previous view

In fact you can use ALT + Z to work your way back through the history of all your zoom steps,  SHIFT + ALT + Z will go forward through your history of zoom steps.

More  handy tricks - thanks. For us long time users, many times we can miss little improvements with the newer releases and get locked into our old way of doing things. It's nice to find new better ways to do things

The controls are exactly the same in the compressors CA2A and PC2A. In fact, even the graphics are almost exact. Is there really a difference in quality and sound? Curious to know other's opinions

Here's my post from the other thread

I think this will solve my problem. I went ahead and changed my template so that Lock Height is already selected on tracks I want it. You can still change the height of a track and then that's the new locked height. When you lock the height of a track, its height does not change when you use a Zoom or Fit command and those are the commands that was affecting my work flow.

I think this will solve my problem. I went ahead and changed my template so that Lock Height is already selected on tracks I want it. You can still change the height of a track and then that's the new locked height. When you lock the height of a track, its height does not change when you use a Zoom or Fit command and those are the commands that was affecting my work flow.

Thanks for the help,
 

Very good suggestion. I'll check this out. I'm not sure if screensets and workspace will even be needed, if I do this for the main vocal track.

So then if I so all this and want to maximize a vocal track and zoom in to delete a noise. Do I have to turn off "Lock track height"? And then turn it back on? Does "Lock track height" affect all my tracks with the same height?

10 hours ago, sjoens said:

Sometimes locking a screenset works. I found in a similar case as yours I needed to switch to another screenset and then back to the locked one to reset track sizes and such. One thing this won't do is reset the Now Time Line.

I'm referring to the vertical size of the tracks in the left Track Pane. I like my vocal track larger so I can see the waveform really well in the Clip pane to the right. It's also good to have the harmony vocals and guitar fill tracks larger. This is very helpful when writing volume automation.  Have you found a way to do this with Screensets?

I'm referring to the vertical size of the tracks in the left Track Pane. I like my vocal track larger so I can see the waveform really well in the Clip pane to the right. It's also good to have the harmony vocals and guitar fill tracks larger. This is very helpful when writing volume automation.  If you find a way to do this, let me know

I put this post in the feedback forum, since it appears thee's no way to do this currently

Many times when I'm doing a mix, which I do with the track and clip pane in view. I set the size of the vocal track bigger than other tracks and have things like guitar fills, piano fills, backup vocals a little smaller in track size. I have a zoom level that's good for seeing everything set also.

Then I find I need to work on a track, like if I hear a noise on the vocal. I then maximize it so I can see the waveform good, I may greatly zoom in. Once it's fixed I'd like to return to the view I had previously. Sometimes hitting the U key will return to the previous view, yet if it's a zoom or more complicated then I have to go back and resize the tracks.

 I tried to solve this with Screensets and Workflow view to no avail. Maybe this feature could be added to one of those

Workspace to None did it. I tried Screensets and also Workspaces. I see no way to save the size of the tracks in the Track Pane. I'd like the size of the vocal track, guitar fills,+ backup vocals larger. It seems neither of these will save the size. maybe I'm missing something. Any solutions to this?

1 hour ago, Bristol_Jonesey said:

Screensets will do this, as will Workspaces

I find Screensets a little more intuitive, but your mileage may vary

I'll give Screensets a try, it's been years since I have. Strangely when I right click the control bar and choose "Modules" I don't see Screensets in the list like I used to. Any idea why it's not showing up? Can screensets be globally disabled?

Many times when I'm doing a mix, which I do with the track and clip pane in view. I set the size of the vocal track bigger than other tracks and have things like guitar fills, piano fills, backup vocals a little smaller in track size. I have a zoom level that's good for seeing everything set also.

Then I find I need to work on a track, like if I hear a noise on the vocal. I then maximize it so I can see the waveform good, I may greatly zoom in. Once it's fixed I'd like to return to the view I had previously. Sometimes hitting the U key will return to the previous view, yet if it's a zoom or more complicated then I have to go back and resize the tracks.

What's the best way for me to save this view in this particular song once I have it the way I like it and then how can I return to that view. I think a long time ago I tried to solve this with Screensets and Worflow view, but I have a feeling things have changed and I can do this I hope

Any suggestions?

I wasn't aware of Google Translate. I just tried it on the Russian text - so quick and easy. Great tool

Hopefully this will be fixed in a new version, where if you select tempo in the copy Special, it will indeed copy the tempo track + envelope. Since I almost never have more than 1 tempo is a song this is no big problem for me.

I had a Sonar project from 2008 and copied it all into CbB, but the tempo wouldn't copy. Tried it 2x. Someone else, replying to my thread in Feedback 2021.06, was successful. If you're using the latest version go ahead and post in the Feedback 2021.06 Maybe they'll fix it

I have an AVB Ultralite.  In 2015 got it , a new computer, running Win 8, which was new for me going from Win 7. it took me about a year before I had a stable system. I ended up sending the first one back after almost a year. They were very good about sending another one even though I was a little over a year. A power surge took out the LAN. MOTU is more Mac centered, but they finally got it together and it's been super, no issues for 5 years. The mixer and routing are complex and confusing, but extremely powerful

21 hours ago, msmcleod said:

I tried the following and it worked for me:

1. Create a project in Platinum with an audio track, and some tempo changes. Saved the project.
2. Opened the project in CbB
3. Created a new project
4. In the old project, CTRL + A then Edit->Copy Special with all options checked.
5. CTRL + V in the new project.

Were you trying to copy from Platinum itself into CbB ?    I can understand that not working, as it needs to be loaded into CbB in order to convert the tempos into a tempo track.

I did something similar. Platinum song was created in 2008 I did open it in CbB, created new project. I selected only the first 6 tracks in the old CWP careful to use Copy Special and check the boxes. Went to new CWP and pasted - same result no tempo change copied over.

 I looked at the Inspector Tempo Track and it only has the tempo BPM that was in my template, not the one from the old CWP. I just tried the whole procedure again with the same result 

I never start from scratch with a new project. I use templates. I did for Platinum and also for CbB.