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Sleetah2000

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Posts posted by Sleetah2000

  1. Somehow, during the last month, I've lost the ability to right-click select cakewalk projects from the windows taskbar.  Cakewalk still accurately remembers the last project names opened, but the file icon appears as a blank page, instead of the standard orange/white Cakewalk icon.  Projects still open just fine from the file menu and  start screen.  When I attempt to select projects from the taskbar, I just get an error message saying that the file cannot be found in this location.  

    songfilename (song filedirectory) , where filename and directory appear to be accurate.

    It is possible that I caused this fault during a load of 64-bit R-mix from an X2, but I really don't know for certain.  I haven't detected any other symptoms.  If instead, this is caused by a windows upgrade, I assume that other users would be seeing the same symptom.

    Has anyone else experienced this problem?  Better yet, has anyone identified a solution?

  2. Through the course of several versions of Cakewalk/Sonar, I've amassed a number of duplicate and obsolete plugins. Over time, I've employed the lazy man's approach of excluding plugins that I no longer have a use for.  While this relieves the symptom, I know that I'm just sweeping some concerns under the rug.

    Has anyone found or offered a best practice for auditing and cleaning up the plugin manager and associated registry entries?  I'm primarily concerned with identifying the low hanging fruit items rather than hand wringing over entries that should potentially stay.

    Thanks

  3. My DAW contains some X2 plugins that I would like to replace from 32 bit to 64 bit (R-mix and any others that may be recoverable from X2).  Is there a recommended upgrade approach that would minimize any potential risks to the balance of my system?  The 32 bit version of R-mix currently looks like it's working visually, but the audio features just don't seem to respond.

    I’m particularly interested in any recommendations regarding installation instructions, any required registry steps(?), suggested backups, tests for unintended consequences, and of course any gotcha’s I might encounter.  I tip my hat to those of you who reload your systems with impunity, but I'm more of an "if it ain't broke" kind of guy

    My system already performs weekly archival, and I did find the X2 installation CDs.  Odds are, I also have the balance of installation files locally, except when they were auto installed from the command center.

    I’m very happy with the system how it is currently running.  If I can cleanup the X2 components of my installation (32 to 64 bit) without impacting the current X3, Platinum , and CbB installs (all 64 bit) that’s really what I’m aiming for.

    Thanks

  4. During extended sessions and upon reopening a  project, I often have to reselect the input setting on a track before it will respond to my external midi keyboard.  To clarify, CbB does visually respond (PRV), but the signal does not echo through the intended external or softsynth.  My setup takes all midi inputs through a usb2 midisport patchbay (legacy driver for the product ended development in 2013). 

    I haven’t determined the conditions for when this occurs.  I’ve noticed it sometimes when returning from  sleep mode (Win 10 64) on my laptop, and sometimes just in reopening a project, but I’m not certain that it follows as a rule.  Sometimes (but not always), the established input for tracks gets arbitrarily reassigned to the last port in my pick list.

    Are there any settings within CbB  that would mitigate this issue, or at the very least would make it less cumbersome to restore desired function.  Hitting the midi/audio reset button, does not solve my problem.  Currently, I find myself having to reselect a preset input for all effected midi tracks whenever this occurs.

  5. Thanks for both responses.  This got me away from thinking of this as an OS or Manufacturer problem.  I'm relieved and little embarrassed to admit that this was entirely self-inflicted and recoverable.

    I had been chasing down a problem with a flaky chain preset (BT-stereo was embedded) over several days.  I've since resolved that issue, but during the course of my "troubleshooting",  I had applied the J-wrap load option on BT-stereo.  This was the sole cause of the reported "warning" message.  Because this was over a number of days, I had conflated the chain preset issue with the "warning" message.

    After reading @Scook post, I fired up my Splat installation for the first time in about 2 years and realized that the problem only existed in CbB.

  6. Has anybody else seen the following warning.   It just started popping up during the last few days, during project load.

    image.png.332a281cd4898f519a85ba8d14ac67ec.png

    This has been popping up in all projects that contain BT-stereo-imager by Nomad, widely used since my SPLAT days.  True to its word, the warning bypasses this effect (and, I assume all other resident Nomad plugins).  I’m currently upgraded to latest greatest on CbB, and Win 10.  I also tried porting it through J-bridge in an act of desperation, but the first attempt did not improve my situation and I'm skeptical whether any settings would help.

    Any suggestions?  Thanks

  7. 10 hours ago, Barry Seymour said:

    Well, I dug out the old driver package I used to use for my previous Behringer audio interface from the mid-2000s and it's working.  The one they said not to use.

    Phew. At least my new $1,300 laptop is working now.

    @Barry Seymour,

    I'm glad to hear that the mfr driver got your DAW purring.  If, moving forward, you see any further issues with audio drivers, consider also disabling Realtek HD Audio for sessions where the Behringer is connected.  You didn't mention it above, so I'm just assuming.

    Years back, realtek generated all kinds squirrely interference with my Roland Studio Capture, at the weirdest times.  Because, I rarely undock my laptop from the studio, I opted to disable realtek at startup (Task manager) rather than the device manager.

  8. Somehow during the course of a project, my autozoom behaved as though it had rusted in place.  As I wrote up the problem, I discovered my own fix (described below).  Can anyone explain what happened here, and why these steps were necessary?  I've attached a skeleton version of the project, for reference.

    Thanks

    Towards the end of a project, I found that the auto track zoom feature had stopped working  I finished working under this limitation and then made a copy to isolate the problem.  After deleting track by track, I never really determined the source of the problem, but I did figure out the following solution:

    1).  When I select track1, it doesn’t expand automatically.

    2).  If I select and expand track1, then select track2, track2 does not expand, but track1 returns to minimum height.

    3).  By accident, I hit the following resolution.  Select multiple tracks (at least 2).  Expand by dragging any of the selected tracks.  Return these to minimum height.  Select and expand 1 track to desired auto zoom.  Now, when I select any track, auto track zoom works again.

    I don’t know whether the problem was triggered by user action, a restart of the DAW, or corrupted data.  I do know that autozoom worked earlier in the project.

    No auto zoom.cwb

  9. I just completed a project that sounded way above my pay grade because articulation KSs were absolutely not more trouble than I deemed them to be, this time.  Thanks articulation maps.

    One peculiarity that I did notice in the last stage of midi cleanup, was that articulation did not carry over into a flattened comp.  In this case, I had 4 take lanes (muted after flattening) and a soloed "Comp” lane.

    After playing around, I found the articulation working in the muted Take Lane 1.  After wiping all other data from take 1, and unmuting, articulation was recovered for the track.

    It’s not a showstopper, but this first time, it took a learning curve to recognize that I had a problem, and backtrack through tasks to resolve it

    Is there a better way for users to flatten a track that contains articulation?

  10. On 4/15/2020 at 1:39 AM, Promidi said:

    One thing to check is in Preferences | Audio | Instruments - then click "define".

    In the proceeding "Define Instruments and Names", on the right pane, click the + next to "controller Names".....  drill down to "Standard" (may not be present). 

    @Promidi,

    Your explanation above helped me to add needed cc's to my PRV controller list.  So now, of course, I'd like to push my luck.  

    Is there a way to configure multiple selectable lists of controllers for the PRV?  For example, I would like one controller list for GM instruments, and another to handle controllers related to JABB brass instruments, and perhaps another for Garritan string instruments?  

  11. On 12/29/2020 at 11:58 AM, Sergio said:
      On 12/26/2020 at 2:27 PM, Zo said:

    Ok just for fun , what was your best 2020 purchase (and why ) , try to choose only one ...

    With all of the Covid downtime, this year produced the most studio improvements and much needed maintenance since I first started to dabble. My best 2020 purchase was TB_morphit headphone correction, because I've never worked with monitors, and I finally appreciate the value of getting a "flattish" response out of my "good" headphones.  Mixing, mastering, and ear fatigue have all improved.

    • Like 2
  12. On 12/6/2020 at 12:49 AM, Nigel Mackay said:

    @Sleetah2000 Isn't it easier to use the + and - on the folder to do that? Then the folders can be minimun height.

     

    Nigel,

    Your suggestion is absolutely correct in noting the height tradeoff and that "+/-"  are a simpler method for folding up all tracks within the Trackview.   My above suggestion was also aimed at taming the Console view as well, especially for that gangly project phase when I still have a wealth of empty midi tracks or spitballed ideas that are not quite ready to be archived or deleted just yet.

    1).  Clicking on a Folder Midi/Audio-Qty hides/unhides tracks in both Trackview and Console views with a single click.  Conversely, when you click on "+/-" in trackview, folded tracks still remain visible in Console view.  For those many talented CbB users on this site, who can hear an original song in their heads and accurately reproduce it one track at a time, this tip may not make much of a difference, and your smug displays of musicianship have earned my boundless envy.  Honestly, I'm not at all ashamed to admit that my workflow is well, slightly less hygenic than that; and it requires hanging on to far too many slop MIDI tracks, until I'm beyond convinced that even the tiniest bit of gold can no longer be dredged or tweaked out of the excrement.  In any case, if one carries excess tracks, I find it very handy to control what you can see in console view at the click of a button, rather than scroll across many pages of minimized faders that you don't need to worry about right now.  

    2).  My projects tend to start by loading a Multitrack Synth (like TTS, Aria, and legacy Hardware Synths) to its own folder and add Singletrack synths (Studio instruments, Addictive Drums, TruePianos, AAS and sample libraries) only as needed to a composite folder that I call "Standalones".  There are exceptions, but that's the general path that I take, using project templates, and track templates (including buss assignments) wherever possible.  As the project progresses, I usually reassign (and move) some of the scratchpad TTS (or hardware) tracks to custom Singletrack synths for more textured sounds.  I think this process grew out of necessity, when available RAM, CPU, and storage had proven insufficient to fend off crashes, audio dropouts and latency.  Even with hardware upgrades, it's remained a useful discipline for me to follow.  

    • Particularly for the Multitrack synths, the Console view gets unwieldy when I start with a canvas of 16 available midi tracks and however-many output tracks that are needed to shape the audio.  Until I'm ready to move/delete/archive the excess tracks, I find it useful to view the midi-only tracks while Recording/Editing, and view audio-only tracks while Mixing frozen or recorded audio. 
    • The same approach is also useful when recording Kick/Snare, Hihats, Toms, and percussion as separate MIDI tracks.
    • I haven't done much with loops, but I'd probably isolate those to their own Loop folder, just as I would Vocals to a Vocal folder.  
    • My best organization practice has been to establish an "Archive" Folder to hasten moving archiveable tracks out of the way.  These folder tracks remains a hidden part of the project until mixdown, when I'm ready to delete.  I've settled on an obnoxious bright yellow color for the archive folder and tracks.  There's something therapeutic about finally removing the folder from view.  I believe there's also a CPU/RAM overhead benefit in selecting the archive button for these unneeded tracks.
    • Overcrowded console view may be much less of a concern for those who work exclusively with Singletrack synths and/or recorded audio, since you don't technically need separate midi/audio tracks.

    I'm sure there are plenty of other valid strategies for project and folder organization.  This is simply mine.  Sorry for being so thoroughly verbose on the subject, but I just haven't found this feature documented anywhere in the manual and I find it to be really very useful.  I believe it's fair to credit Craig Anderton for first bringing it to my attention years ago in one of his many tips.

  13. On 12/3/2020 at 4:36 PM, seakay beats said:
    On 12/3/2020 at 2:51 PM, Colin Nicholls said:

    I assume you've investigated Track Folders (Tip: They aren't busses)

    Thank you!! My projects were getting way too unorganized. 😂

    Here's an additional folder tip that I use often...

    Once you have successfully added tracks into your newly organized drum folder, increase the height of the folder track, so that you are able to see the table of Midi and Audio tracks contained within.  Based on your example above, I'll assume you'll have some nonzero qty of Audio drum tracks listed.  If you click directly on that number, CbB conveniently hides all audio tracks into the folder in both track and console views.  Click it again, and they reappear.  There are other ways to accomplish the same action, but this methodis particularly efficient.

    For larger projects, it is common for me to have only track folders in view until I'm ready to unhide the specific folders that I'm ready to work on.  I also have a tendency to alternate hiding either midi or audio tracks depending on whether a synth has been frozen.  Once everything is frozen to audio, the midi tracks  are best hidden unless, I have to unfreeze for additional edits.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
  14. 1 hour ago, msmcleod said:
    15 hours ago, Sleetah2000 said:

    image.png.29f634ef32322ec2112230e83ac4a131.png

    Thanks to all of the bakers and testers for a most substantial release.  While Articulation is understandably sucking up a great deal of oxygen, I just wanted to focus a few comments on the VSTi instrument definitions feature as well.

    Using the S-YXG50 VSTi, and a custom instrument definition, I was able to select defined patches using the patch browser.  This is a great improvement over looking up banks, patches, patchnames from a separate table document.  However, it also leaves me considering the limitations of this new feature. 

    During my test, I performed the following:  With a valid channel selected, and the patch browser window open, I selected “List Patches From” to choose SYSG50 (my custom instrument definition).  The browser then displayed the available defined instruments in the window, which can be successfully auditioned only after I selected OK and closed the browser.

    Q1).  Is it possible to audition patches based on where the cursor points in the patch browser, rather than requiring the user to hit OK and close the patch browser?  In other words, I would like to audition live parts by scrolling through the patch list just using the arrow keys.

    Q2).  Is it possible to show the selected bankname and patchname in the console track?  I believe that this linked information currently comes directly from the VSTi internals, but perhaps it could be redirected to the output of the “List Patches From” feature whenever <default for instrument> is not the selected list?

    Q3).  Once a patch has been selected using “List Patches From”, the task of changing to a second patch requires repeating the whole process from scratch.  Instead is it possible for this feature to store/remember any portion of previous selections on the same track?  (Selected instrument definition, Selected Patch).

    By the way, I've attached a copy of the SYXG50 instrument definition that I created.  I couldn't find one elsewhere.

     

    SYXG50 custom.INS 24.11 kB · 7 downloads

    The ability to select a patch from an ins file for VSTi's wasn't meant to be a full-blown feature; it was added more as a convenience for users such as yourself using emulations of older hardware.

    The current ins mapping relies on being mapped to a fixed MIDI port, which is fine in the case of hardware ports, but software MIDI ports come and go. The effort in making it more integrated with VSTi's is not trivial.

    FWIW I'm using the standard "Yamaha XG" definition with the S-YXG50 (running using the JBridge wrapper), and auditioning patches via the patch browser is working fine for me.... as long as I have an output channel set on the track.

    The only gotcha with the Yamaha XG definition is that it's bank 0 defaults to "none",  which results in no bank select being sent out. Attached is a modified version of the Yamaha XG definitions which forces a bank select 0 to be sent for those patches.

     

    Yamaha XG - fixed bank 0.ins 22.89 kB · 1 download

    Mark,

    My Q2 and Q3 were definitely wishlist, so I fully appreciate the considered response. 

    After running the plugin through JBridge per your suggestion, the patch browser live-audition request works as desired (Q1).  For kicks, I switched it back off and it still worked.  I'm not sure whether JBridge fixed the problem, or an earlier reboot, or a rescan, but I'll keep it selected moving forward.

    • Like 1
  15. image.png.29f634ef32322ec2112230e83ac4a131.png

    Thanks to all of the bakers and testers for a most substantial release.  While Articulation is understandably sucking up a great deal of oxygen, I just wanted to focus a few comments on the VSTi instrument definitions feature as well.

    Using the S-YXG50 VSTi, and a custom instrument definition, I was able to select defined patches using the patch browser.  This is a great improvement over looking up banks, patches, patchnames from a separate table document.  However, it also leaves me considering the limitations of this new feature. 

    During my test, I performed the following:  With a valid channel selected, and the patch browser window open, I selected “List Patches From” to choose SYSG50 (my custom instrument definition).  The browser then displayed the available defined instruments in the window, which can be successfully auditioned only after I selected OK and closed the browser.

    Q1).  Is it possible to audition patches based on where the cursor points in the patch browser, rather than requiring the user to hit OK and close the patch browser?  In other words, I would like to audition live parts by scrolling through the patch list just using the arrow keys.

    Q2).  Is it possible to show the selected bankname and patchname in the console track?  I believe that this linked information currently comes directly from the VSTi internals, but perhaps it could be redirected to the output of the “List Patches From” feature whenever <default for instrument> is not the selected list?

    Q3).  Once a patch has been selected using “List Patches From”, the task of changing to a second patch requires repeating the whole process from scratch.  Instead is it possible for this feature to store/remember any portion of previous selections on the same track?  (Selected instrument definition, Selected Patch).

    By the way, I've attached a copy of the SYXG50 instrument definition that I created.  I couldn't find one elsewhere.

    SYXG50 custom.INS

    • Thanks 1
  16. Thanks for the experienced feedback, gentlemen.  These are all better suggestions than my initial plan of tweezing.

    The possibility of pushing rather than pulling the tip through seems more prone to success for me.  I should have an opportunity to open up the interface over the weekend.

    If the jack doesn't allow for a push through in either direction, I'll move to the "glue technique".  If it does come down to this, I don't necessarily trust my skills in the game of operation with a random rod, but I'm thinking about dabbing glue on the remaining portion of plug that did not break off.  I'm assuming the trick is to get the glue viscosity to where it absolutely will not drip, but is still capable of bonding.

  17. After years of hobbying with rack gear, I'm experiencing a first-time dilemma.  While removing a pair of 1/4" inputs from my audio interface, I actually had the tip break off of the left input.  The situation is not a showstopper for me, because this truly is an optional pair of channels in my setup.  But after two days of ignoring this, it still does eat at my soul, thinking that I've made my interface less functional than it could/should be.  My hope in writing this, is that someone in the community has already developed a clever hack for this very problem.

    I do have a few extraction implements that tempt me, from needle-nose pliers to pseudo forceps, and tweezers.  My concern with misusing any of these tools is the potential of introducing a short, where one does not currently exist.  The interface is long out of warranty, so I'm also free to pop the hood to get a closer look. 

    Ideas? Anyone? Anyone?

  18. I had a similar problem pop up about a month ago.  In my case, the cause was a newly detected conflict with the optional midi device provided by my audio interface.  This was one that had never been used, but a windows upgrade started to engage.  I was able to resolve my issue by disabling the unused midi interface in the device manager.  If you're having he same problem the evidence will be in the device manager.

  19. Nigel,

    I'm finding your explanations on gain staging to be very helpful.  I'm also starting to see why some of my older mixes have worked and others are just muddy messes, even as I was following what I thought were best practices.  To top it off, you introduced me to the Creative Sauce tutorial series.  Thanks or accelerating the learning curve.

    • Thanks 1
  20. Windows 10 has recently been asking me to setup preferences regarding (MS) Notifications&Actions, and Focus assist settings.  This is not to be confused with CbB Toast notifications, which I find to be very helpful. 

     These MS "features" (Settings/System/Notifications&Actions) seem intended to cut down on overall nuisances/alarms for general usage in working in Windows.  However I can't help but think that a failure to optimize these settings would result in either robbing resources from Cakewalk on one side, or potentially introducing untimely alarms and workflow interruptions to the recording or playing process.  

    1).  Is this a valid concern?  

    2).  If so, are there recommended settings or workarounds to minimize these issues?

    Thanks in advance.

  21. On 7/20/2019 at 11:42 AM, msmcleod said:

    @Sleetah2000 - apologies for the long delay on this. Things have been really hectic lately.

    Here it is: http://msmcleod.co.uk/cakewalk/Synthbass3.zip

    Thanks so much for the uploaded sample.  It brings back memories, and I hope to incorporate it shortly into an old piece I worked on.  My delay in responding was no better, but I'm happy to report that I was unplugged for some less hectic distractions.  

    Regarding the original question of sampling plugins, I still haven't decided between the more tweakable samplerobot pro, and the simpler less expensive samplit option.  My research corroborates the comparative descriptions, but it's still tough to tell which plugin would satisfy me in the longrun.  I'm leaning towards simpler cheaper, but would I appreciably be cheating the samples out of control and fidelity?

  22. 18 hours ago, msmcleod said:

    No you can't really access them unless it's working. 

    What Roland device have you got? I've got a U220 and a CM64 (basically a U110 &  MT32).

    If there's any patches you particularly need, let me know. I'm crazy busy at the moment, but I'll try to put some time aside to sample them.

    I was going to ask about a couple of U110 patches.  It's been laying dormant in my rack for well over a decade.  But go figure, I plugged it in after lunch, and I think I may be able to get it to function long enough to sample a few patches.

    If you ever do have an opportunity as a low priority, I would like to request S Bass 3 (MT-32:  sold it in the 90s).  I'm not sure what format to ask for, but I think sfz might be a safe bet.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  It's exciting to look at the rack and raise the dead.

    • Like 1
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