James Argo

I took sometime to read the CAL help files from the archive, then I just realize, I think I was wrong when I say it is possible. I even tried to create a script and test it, it does not work. In my understanding, CAL does not have any "select" function unless you specify the (limited pre-programmed) action after you select some events. For example, CAL may work to select certain events and copy the selected event to new track automatically, but may not work to select and show you the selected events. The problem with CAL is not stop there. Most CAL function does not work in x64 environment. Most CAL script I tried works in Win XP + Sonar 8.5, failed to run in Win7 x64 + CbB. So, sorry I can't help that much, at least I tried.

I found Cakewalk CAL that should work for this situation doesn't work anymore in CbB. It works in many previous Sonar version, but not in CbB. I'm not sure if the problem is the x64 environment or CbB it self. All I know, the developers have not touched the CAL feature since like 15 years ago. So whatever we have in CbB today is inherited feature from long time untouched program code. I tested again last night, the CAL works in 32bit OS (I have dual boot system running WinXP + Sonar 8.5). It's not working in Win 7x64 + CbB. The program runs, but none of the synths turned off. Here I attached the CAL. LocalOn.CAL

I have hundreds of CAL files in my collection, not single one mentioning selecting notes in such fashion (every other notes). But it is possible to create one to do the job. I think Gswitz suggestion is the easiest way.

Normally, aftertouch (either channel aftertouch or polyphonic aftertouch) is input by key pressure of your physical MIDI keyboard, not by wheel. Aftertouch can expand your playing expression if the synth allows it. It depends on how the synth utilize the aftertouch data for that particular patch / sound. Even if the synth supports aftertouch, most synth will only utilize channel aftertouch. Although possible, it's very rare for them to utilize polyphonic aftertouch. I have never seen nor use any virtual MIDI keyboard that is able to directly input aftertouch data. Most of them only deal with notes, velocity, mod wheel and pitch bend. In Cakewalk, you can draw channel aftertouch data in Track view, Piano Roll View, or even input the data one by one in Event List view. The process can be time consuming if you work in detail to really get the desired effect. If you really concern and think that you really need to deal with aftertouch that much, I suggest you to buy MIDI keyboard that support aftertouch.

Windows 10 is so primitive. We got Windows 98 since like 21 years ago... We even had the Plus pack back then 😎

In Cakewalk, Views --> Virtual Controllers --> Computer keyboard (If you use shortcut Alt + 0 , use the 0 in the upper row button, NOT in the keypad). In Computer keyboard virtual controller interface, you can use upper row button 1 - 5 to act as mod wheel.

The only thing preventing Virtual Keyboard to appear in View menu is if you untick the Virtual keyboard in selected lenses. You must have accidentally changed your lenses. Try using lens "None", and see what happens.

Virtual MIDI keyboard and the Computer keyboard interfaces are switchable, thus they wont display at the same time. Use shortcut Alt + 0 (upper row button, not the keypad button) and Alt + Shift + 0 to switch between them. In Computer Keyboard mode, you can use number 1 - 5 of your upper row button to do the mod wheel.

The workaround is feasible, however I don't think it's efficient. If you have 8 synths, you need to embed 8 sysex banks, since 1 sysex file can only be sent to 1 port. Multiply that with templates you have. And it's not backward compatible with pre existing projects. Imagine if I have many various project files that I open daily (I use playlist to play projects in sequence often). Using CAL was the most simple and efficient workaround, however I don't think CAL will work in x64 environment. At least, I never be able to run CAL files since I move to x64 years ago.

Once I was about to report a bug regarding this " Vertical Zoom Control" indicator. But I think it's not that important... The bug goes like this: If you Zoom Horizontally (either using Ctrl + arrow, or using the magnification + and - button), the middle bar indicator will change, showing you the zoom progress. It's not the case with Vertical Zoom, where the middle bar indicator keeps staying still when you zoom in or out. That's it, unless you click and use it to zoom in and out, the middle bar indicator won't move. Try it out... 😊

Ctrl + Arrow buttons (up, down, left right)

Good idea indeed. 😊 Actually I made a simple project file contains only the CC122 messages value 127 on the first measure, and copy it to several MIDI tracks pointing to different MIDI outputs. Every time I'm done working with Cakewalk, I open that project, and play it before I close Cakewalk. It works like your suggested way in different fashion. However, I sometime forget to do so. If I'm lucky to remember (that I didn't turn the local back on), it's a bit too late, I already turned off the PC, leaving me manually turning them local back on one by one 😙. That's why I thought automatic option in preferences would be great. The other way I have tried was by running my own (poorly) written CAL at the end of the session. However it didn't work as expected. If any of you could help me to see what is wrong with this CAL I made, I would be very happy, since I'm not that good at programming code. localon.cal

Hi there! Welcome to the forum. Before trying to give an answer to your problem, its better to include more detailed info about your system (what Windows? PC general spec? is it 32 bit or 64bit? etc). As you stated "Sonar" , I presume you mean Sonar Platinum? Have you try Cakewalk by Bandlab ? Those informations can help us narrow the problem and make easier to find solution. Regards, Jaymz

Since it's first DOS release, -when we open the application- Cakewalk always send "turn Local OFF" message (MIDI message CC 122, value = 0) to any connected MIDI device. It's totally fine, considering -when opened- Cakewalk will act as MIDI "soft thru" , bridging the keyboard part and the tone generator part of our synthesizer. Almost every MIDI sequencer software will do the same thing. However, after years of using Cakewalk, I'm a bit tired of having to manually turn the Local ON after closing Cakewalk. Specially when we have many synthesizer connected to the system like I do. FYI, I use my keyboards not only to work in my studio, but also to do gig every now and then in a week. I can not remember how many times I forget to turn the local ON , and the keyboards didn't make any sound on stage 😅 . When the band started playing, and I kept messing with the cables & PA system figuring out what went wrong. Sometime it takes few minutes to reach that moment of "aaah, I forget the Local ON". 😙 So, my request will be, is there any chance to add an option in Preferences that make Cakewalk send "Local ON" message automatically on exit? I asume it wont be that difficult to program the feature (like automatically sending MIDI CC122 value 127 to every connected synthesizer) on exit. I would be very thankful if it can happen. Regards, James Argo

After you successfully install the latest BandLab Assistant (v 5.0.6), run it as administrator. Then launch Cakewalk from BandLab Assistant --> Apps . Once you launch Cakewalk through BandLab Assistant, Cakewalk will be activated. You can launch Cakewalk without BL Assistant for next 6 months.