Jim Fogle

@wmike Where do you hear sound coming from? What sound is missing, guitar or Cakewalk by Bandlab audio tracks? That will help determine where the breakdown is. In general the audio signal chain is: guitar pickup(s) > guitar cable > Yamaha THR 10C input > Yamaha THR 10C USB OUT > USB Cable > Computer USB IN > Yamaha THR 10C ASIO Audio In Driver > Cakewalk by Bandlab selected input driver > Cakewalk by Bandlab track (track meter moves) > Cakewalk by Bandlab insert effects > other Cakewalk by Bandlab audio tracks (playback track(s) meter(s) moves as audio from recorded guitar and other audio tracks are summed (combined) into a stereo mix) > Cakewalk by Bandlab main out (meter moves) > Cakewalk by Bandlab selected output driver > Yamaha THR 10C ASIO Audio Out Driver > Computer USB OUT > USB Cable > Yamaha THR 10C USB IN > Yamaha 10C twin speakers or headphone jack > headphones . The audio should be a mix of guitar and Cakewalk by Bandlab playback tracks. Additionally, your computer may internally route the guitar audio from the USB port and the Cakewalk by Bandlab audio from the program through the Windows audio mixer. So, with Cakewalk open and the Yamaha THR 10C USB cable connected open the Windows control panel and look at the record and playback mixers to make sure Windows has not muted any mixer channels. While in your Windows audio record and playback settings you can direct all your computer audio to go to the Yamaha THR 10C by selecting it for your audio output instead of the audio output (motherboard Realtec or Intel chip) the computer presently uses. Finally, both the Cakewalk by Bandlab program and Windows likes for the USB cable between the computer and THR 10C to be connected, and for the amplifier to be turned on, before you open the Cakewalk by Bandlab program. Sometimes Windows will not use an ASIO driver until the device is connected and active. So, assuming your computer is on and Windows loaded beforehand, your start up routine needs to be (1) plug in guitar, (2) plug in USB cable, (3) power up amplifier, (4) Open Cakewalk by Bandlab, (5) Open project, (optional 6) verify Cakewalk by Bandlab ASIO settings.

May I suggest the Groove3 video tutorial, "Learn The Fundamentals Of MIDI" https://www.groove3.com/tutorials/MIDI-Explained MIDI.org article, "Introduction To MIDI" https://www.midi.org/articles-old/an-intro-to-midi MIDI. ORG tutorials: https://www.midi.org/articles

Here is a MIDI Channel data in file header side question. Can Cakewalk by Bandlab or another program edit file header channel assignments in the file header? For example lets say a midi file header has a marimba (patch # 12) assigned to midi channel 6 and I want to change the midi channel 6 patch assignment to Choir Aahs (patch # 52). If Cakewalk can't do it, what kind of program can change header data?

@Charley Rich, Some background information about how you use your audio interface would be helpful. For example, do you need midi 5 pin in and out ports? How many instrument port connections will you use at the same time? Do you use condenser microphones that require phantom power? How many line-in connections are needed? Here are two devices that Bandlab sells for less than $100 US: https://store.bandlab.com/collections/link-digital

@wmike The answer is ... maybe. It depends on (1) what audio you're listening to and (2) how the audio is getting into your computer. For example, if you're listening to the audio coming out of the THR 10C twin 8 cm speakers then no you will not hear the Cakewalk effects. To hear the effects added in Cakewalk you will need to be listening to the output of the Cakewalk program. Pages 17 and 18 of the THR 10C user manual describes how to connect the amp to your computer so you can listen through the THR 10C. You'll just need to substitute the words Cakewalk by Bandlab for Cubase AI. You will have to set up Cakewalk by Bandlab to send and receive THR 10C digital audio . You will need to download and install the Yamaha THR ASIO audio driver available from the Yamaha website Press the letter "P" on your computer keyboard to open the preferences window and then set your audio settings to ASIO and Yamaha input and output.

Guitar Center has a headphone test station that includes some ear buds.

@Chuck E Baby I never knew that existed! Thanks for sharing the video link while answering the question. You have to love how ARA2 allows Melodyne and Cakewalk by Bandlab to be so tightly integrated. That is just an awesome video! Do you know if the drag to timeline function works with all Melodyne editions (Essential, Assistant, Editor and Studio)?

@Marcello Rossi, you stated the bug has been around "for awhile". It might help the developers figure out what has changed if they had an idea when you first noticed the issue. May I suggest you submit a support request? The support request form allows file attachment so you can include your CAL file. Submit a support request below: https://help.cakewalk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000025633

@Sven, as you mentioned and included links to, adding dedicated and distinct start / stop markers to the Cakewalk by Bandlab program is an idea that is frequently raised. The fact that users keep coming up with workarounds add weight to the fact that start and stop markers might be a feature idea worthy of inclusion into the program.

KVR Forum users may remember the monthly mix contest the forum use to sponsor. The Mix Challenge has become a standalone website with contests for songwriting, mixing, remixing and mastering. The Mix Challenge is a monthly recurring one-song-per-month mixing challenge. It has one (virtual) client providing a track to mix, and the participants have 21 days to mix, plus 5 extra days for a possible 2nd Mix Round with selected candidates. They are always looking for source material for use in a contest. It might be a good way to get assistance with a mix you're having trouble with. https://mix-challenge.com/

I don't have the month-to-month or annual "All Access" subscription but have purchased three video tutorial series and consider it money well spent. At different times I've purchased the video tutorial series for Cakewalk's Music Creator 6, PG Music's Band-in-a-Box for Windows and Sonar Explained. I purchased the MC6 series after upgrading to MC6 after using MC2, 3 & 4. I wanted to gain a better idea of what undiscovered features were available and how to use the program better. The same reasoning applies to my purchase of the Band-in-a-Box and Sonar Explained series. I prefer purchasing the video series because I can then download the files and watch offline. I load them to my Android tablet so I can view the files anywhere I take my tablet. I also have the user manual pdf files on my tablet for easy access. It's nice to have my tablet close to my computer so as I'm using Cakewalk by Bandlab or Band-in-a-Box for Windows I have these resources available for use without having to go online. Another reason I like downloading the files is I'm a slow learner. I have to see a concept or technique in action multiple times before it sinks in. While the online video player gives me the normal stop, pause and play controls I don't like having the screen split between player and program. Go to Groove 3's website and look through the offerings. The site has an extensive collection of video tutorials. Click on a subject you want to learn about and navigate to the subject's webpage. Every video tutorial series have certain traits in common. I'll use Sonar Explained for the subject of my example. Every series has an outline, user reviews and a biography of the author. The videos are broken into easy to view chunks. The videos are tightly scripted, professionally edited and produced. Every video moment has a reason to exist, there is no wasted time. Because there is no wasted time they are jam packed with useful information. Pause and rewind will become your friends. Because the outline is so comprehensive, each video is smartly labeled and the videos are broken into small chunks the video series is easy to use as a quick reference guide. You'll be able to come back later and quickly find and review information you need to refresh your memory. Sonar Explained was released in 2015. The series is composed of 49 videos covering 5 hours and 30 minutes. Check it out: https://www.groove3.com/tutorials/SONAR-Explained Finally, like every other business, Groove 3 has specials throughout the year..

@marco panizza, I'm sorry you're experiencing trouble with a *wrk file. As a user the same as you I do not have access to the wrk file format specification or an e-mail address for developers support. However, I can provide you with a link to request support. I've used this link multiple times and can testify I have received a response each time. The support link is below and in my signature line. https://help.cakewalk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000025633

I really like Mike's (Creative Sauce) videos. Thanks for starting to make Cakewalk videos. I'll be watching this video multiple times.

@Massica Greetings, welcome to Cakewalk by Bandlab and welcome to the forum. One possibility is you may have VST scanning enabled during start up and the program is having trouble while scanning. Press "P" to open the Preferences window and select File > VST Settings > Manual Scan. Does that make a difference? Another possibility is the installation may be corrupt. Use the Windows Control Panel Add/Remove Programs function to remove the program and Bandlab Assistant. Then download a fresh copy of Bandlab Assistant and let it install a fresh copy of the program.

Agree, it looks like a bug to me. The track meter should never obscure the automation value. @Klaus your graphic is very helpful. Thank you for taking time to to create and post the graphic. @Devil999 and Klaus. May I suggest each of you submit a support report and reference this message thread in the support report. There is a link in my signature line.

@Starship Krupa I use https://www.irfanview.com/ to paste and edit screenshots. I save the screenshots as jpg files. I use https://www.4shared.com/ to store jpg format images in the cloud. To keep things organized I created a storage folder in 4shared.com and labeled the folder "Screenshots". Once a screenshot is uploaded to 4shared.com the website provides me with the capability to select a download link, HTML link or "forum" link to copy. The forum link includes the brackets the forum software needs to know for the forum software to display the image. An example image link is below.

Dear Cakewalk by Bandlab developers @Noel Borthwick Please implement the two MIDI standards released during the January, 2019 NAMM show. MPE stands for MIDI Polyphonic Expression. This specification is designed for MIDI controllers that allow the performer to vary the pitch and timbre of individual notes while playing polyphonically. It is an expanded message set that provides more nuanced control of individual notes while maintaining 100 percent compatibility with the previous message set. MIDI-CI, or MIDI Capability Inquiry, improves MIDI capabilities in several key areas. MIDI-CI allows devices to use an expanded MIDI protocol with high resolution and multiple per note controllers. MIDI-CI assumes and requires bidirectional communication. Once a MIDI-CI connection is established between devices, query and response messages define what capabilities each device has. MIDI-CI then negotiates or auto-configures to use those features that are common between the devices. MIDI-CI provides test mechanisms when enabling new features. If a test fails, then devices fall back to using MIDI 1.0 for that feature. Specifications to implement the new features are available for download here: https://www.midi.org/specifications-old/item/the-midi-1-0-specification

Close your eyes and try to imagine what a $90,000 pedalboard would look like. A pedalboard that has 1,248 knobs. One that requires 34 power supplies. 319 guitar pedals, 34 pedal manufacturers, 500+ feet of signal cabling, all on an enormous stage big enough for a 70-foot-long pedalboard. Fixed Link

Each Studio Instruments included in the Studio Instrument Suite includes some midi patterns. In the screen shot below, the top red rectangle is where you select which drum kit patch is used. The middle red rectangle is the midi pattern browser and player. The bottom red rectangle has four buttons where you can copy midi patterns to complete a midi phrase. Here are some links to find midi drum patterns; some are free while some are commercial. Midi patterns create small files so you'll find hundreds of patterns may fit into a small download file. https://www.prosonic-studios.com/midi-drum-beats/ https://groovemonkee.com/ http://www.fivepinpress.com/drum_patterns.html

@Eve Ripper I agree with you 100 percent that it would be nice for CbB to have a tightly integrated general purpose sampler built-in. Yes, there are many third party options available but they are an add-on. I want to be able to have a sampler in the multi dock that just works without requiring any set up beyond what CbB presently requires. I want to be able to use the media browser to be able to move samples in and out of the sampler. I want to be able to use the Cakewalk virtual keyboard to play the sampler to create an audio track. @CosmicDolphin I believe I also supported your post back when it was posted.

@Max Arwood Thanks for your suggestions. I need to stick with free for now. I looked at most of the ones you suggested and downloaded Bass professor MK II. It's not what I'm looking for but looks interesting. @scook Yep, I've been searching on my own using Google, Bing and others. It's out there, I just have to find it again. Thanks for the suggestion.

@Starship Krupa Thanks for your suggestions. I looked at all of them and downloaded Cornbear but none of them are the one I remember.

@noynekker Thank you for your suggestion however I don't have the historical assets. My history is Music Creator and Sonar Home Studio. Good idea though.

@Efrem C.'79, I agree with your assessment that the Sonar/Cakewalk legacy is complex. On the one hand Bandlab Technologies is trying to "do the right thing" by maintaining Sonar for former Sonar clients by archiving the Sonar forum, maintaining legacy releases and the Command Center download manager. Sonar clients continue to have access to the resources they collected as a Sonar client. It is Bandlab's gift to Sonar clients. Unfortunately if you were not a Sonar client in the past you can not become a Sonar client now; it's that simple. Bandlab Technologies has Sonar assets that it has not utilized yet. They may or may not use those assets in the future . I bet even Bandlab Technologies doesn't know for sure. Bandlab Technologies is growing through frequent acquisitions. Bandlab Technologies has properties in the USA, Great Briton and Singapore and other Pacific rim countries. There's likely other locations I don't know about. There's retail stores, manufacturers, social platform, magazines. How do you pull it all together into a cohesive unit? I don't know. I was involved in two situations where my employer purchased some or all of the assets of bankrupt companies. It's rarely pretty, there's always loose ends and it takes about five years for the old business culture to feel comfortable with the new organization and for the new business to come up with a plan with what to do with the assets they bought.

There is a video released a few weeks prior to the video above where the video creator explains why the signal chain uses so many effects and how he decides what settings to use. The video was made using PreSonus Studio One and PreSonus Studio One stock plug-ins. The video above makes much better sense after seeing this video.