noynekker

Hi Steve, I don't recall hearing this one before, not one of Paul Simon's big radio hits I might recall. You've done an excellent job here, and I can certainly hear the "Paul Simon" flavour when listening, throughout this whole piece. Right away, those flutes reminded me of "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail" (I never remembered "El Condor Pasa" was the song title), it was no doubt written in that same era . . . oops, google says 55 years ago, can that be correct ?, maybe I heard it in a previous lifetime Also, another great sounding recording from your studio ! Good work, good listen. Bruce

Your instrumental playing sounds excellent, and how they blend from one to another, especially by your fireplace (and mine) . . . just drift away, so good !

Hey out there in SonarLand ! Here's a new song, I've been tweaking the mix this last month, let me know how it translates on your ears and speakers . . .

@GBTBassist . . . my main problem was related to many BFD updates and reinstalls over many years, and a Novation controller software that added wrappers for all my plugins. BFD was placing DLL files all over the place on my computer, and I was having to add extra VST scan paths in Cakewalk preferences VST scanning for them to work . . . BIG mess !! (VST2 dll's in the VST3 folder, big no no) I spent a day deleting / moving BFD related DLL files around. Then I came across this new BFD3 VST3 version, which fixes the future, but I still like to open and tweak older projects which use the VST2 versions. There are some checkboxes in the VST area of Cakewalk preferences that I played with regarding VST3 Migration. I think I finally got lucky . . . old and new projects are loading properly again. BIG tip, BFD3 has a setting to automatically load a preset when opening every time . . . turn that off ! Cakewalk's PRV view does not load the drum name mappings like it used to, but I gotta move on and make some music, fix that another day (think it's a new BFD3 VST3 bug, half baked me thinks) . . . since you asked, LOL Cheers

@MIDInco . . . thanks very much for the response ! You are correct, with very little fanfare (even on the BFD forum), there is indeed a VST3 version 3.5 available . . . you really have to go digging to find it, but it is there. Thanks again for the info update!

@MIDInco . . . thanks for your reply. As far as I know BFD3 is still VST2 . . . you're probably referring to a recent BFD3 VST3 version that was put forth . . . but unfortunately it's just a player version, and doesn't have the powerful features of the full BFD drum set. We're all waiting for BFD4, which will be VST3, I've heard rumblings about it, but it's so long in development, and new owners, that it may never happen ?

@msmcleod So, how do I roll back to my previous Sonar version (30.12.0.004 - Dec 2024) . . . because I never had this BFD3 plugin issue with my last Sonar version. I have the .EXE file for Dec 2024 version in my Downloads folder, can I just run that to roll back, or is it more complicated ?

Thanks guys for the replies . . . so I’ve clearly got some troubles with BFD3 on my end . . . I’ll have to investigate.

Did the most recent Sonar update, Feb 2025. I've been working on a project last week or so, and it has been totally stable. As soon as I add the BFD3 drums plugin, and try to do a freeze track or export to WAV, I get an instant Cakewalk crash, and a pop up screen appears which specifically mentions the BFD3 plugin. So, I tried doing a "Replace Synth", for another drum synth I have. This works fine when trying to do a freeze track or audio export. I realize BFD3 is now an older VST2 plugin, but it is kind of a showstopper for me, as this has been a go to drum plugin for me. Steps to reproduce: Add BFD3 plugin as an instrument track to a brand new cakewalk project drag some midi notes to a track freeze the track (or export to audio) Cakewalk crashes instantly

Great stuff Barry ! The vocal, lyric and the acoustic guitar are magical to listen to. You've really captured the right intonation and range for your vocal in this recording. Others have mentioned the drums . . . though, the song is not about drums. Even so, if you made the drums splash along with the arrangement some more, an exceptional song would be made better . . . just a fan's opinion. I'll go leave my like on SC.

Heard this a few times, and really appreciate what you’ve written here, the arrangement is amazing, and your vocals always deliver . . . just had to reply and support you . . . super piece !!

@IgoRr @Jonathan Sasor Thanks guys for the replies and tips ! Bonus screenshot ! I did not know this feature existed, never used it . . . when I remove the "untitled" text it works just like my other projects. I guess this was caused by opening an older project from before this feature ever existed, it defaulted to "untitled" Appreciate your help very much !

When I need to add some delay (usually on vocals or guitars) Sonitus Delay is still my go to Delay Plugin . . . it just works, has great and well defined starting presets, and intuitive stereo controls. Would be great to keep it going. Here's my support chant: VST ! VST ! VST !

When I open Sonar to continue working on my project the next day . . . in the Quick Start Screen, it has added "(untitled)" to the end of the project name. It's just this older project I've started up again, all the newer projects I'm working on don't add "(untitled)" My research uncovers the reason it adds this is because "project hasn't been given a specific name" . . . "This can happen if you start a new project and don't save it with a unique title. The software uses "(untitled)" as a placeholder to indicate that the project hasn't been named yet." As I mentioned, it is an older project, and totally has a unique filename. If I do a "Save As" with a different filename . . . that new filename shows up in Quick Start Screen with the same "(untitled)" appended to the end of the filename. So, what am I missing here, how do I get rid of this ? Inside the project folder, file naming is correct, there are no project crashes, crash dumps . . . it's just the Quick Start Screen.

Jesse . . . just an echo here of all the great comments above . . . had a few listens, and always appreciate a well written song, which this totally is . . . thanks for posting it here !

@bjornpdx . . . a well painted journey Bjorn, much enjoyed my listening ! I recognize that Omnisphere sound, and also heard a fluttering synth sound reminiscent of Jean Michel Jarre (from when we were kids) . . . always good to hear new things from you.

Mark, sounds excellent ! . . . sounds like you have a main theme and then variations of that theme. Overall, it's a very "lay back and chill" listen, I really enjoyed all the guitar creativity. My main suggestion (if you wanted to make it more into a song format) would be to somehow get back to that guitar riff you start out with (right when the drums first kick in) . . . that's the money right there, very catchy, and stood out strongly to my ears. I can hear a lot of vocal possibilities as well . . . so hope you explore that as well. Great stuff, as always Bruce

Sonar Platinum was the last version that included Rapture LE (DX) . . . at some point, not sure when . . . there was a paid version called Rapture Pro, which had patches from Dimension Pro and Rapture . . . the version I have is VST3. You can still open those projects in Safe Mode, bypassing Rapture, correct ?

Steinberg Built in ASIO driver was supposed to be an alternative ASIO driver to use when you don't actually have another ASIO driver. I had the Steinberg Built in ASIO driver installed, it caused great havoc for me . . . I uninstalled it, but it came back with something I recently updated I think. This driver simply does not work with Cakewalk, I had it on my laptop, and Cakewalk Sonar refused to open at all, monkeyed for an hour to get rid of it, and updated to Sonar's most recent version, finally gone, hope it don't come back . . . again. @Multi-Sonik . . . FYI, I also installed Spectra Layers, but it was a long time ago . . . updates to Steinberg products seem to bring back this dreaded driver !

@bjornpdx . . . Bjorn, the picture and the relaxing nature of this track transport me to the old west, very cool. You've caught that classic old west melody very effectively in the guitar. When I hear this kind of piece, it always reminds me of the movie soundtrack to "Legends of The Fall", which set the standard . . . well done, I enjoyed this one !

Hi Tom . . . think I've got some mix help on the way, glad you had a listen, and like the song idea . . . yes, some good suggestions above to help make it better.

Wookiee . . . sorry you don't like it, I'll endeavor to do better next time., but I'll be happy you think the mix is fine.

Thanks so much Bjorn, Lyrics may be the best thing, until I fix the mix . . .

You have to be careful what marketing you click on, if they have your credit card on file, I clicked on something to boost my song post, but it appears there is a charge for that . . . I got 4 likes and only 1 listen, I love the new Sonar version, and the new features, but the BandLab thing is a disconnect for me so far . . .

@Chaps Thank you, I have had some other comments about that lead guitar volume level, will try to fix that . . .