Dissolving Audio Tracks.

[NLAlston]

Hello again.

Xstatic, and others, were so very helpful with a recent concern of mine, and I hope that he - or someone - might step to the plate on this present issue. What's happening is this:

I am recording into Sonar 3.11 - via MotifES/mLan16e. For some odd reason this method does not allow proper playback (through Sonar) of my audio tracks unless they are routed back through my Motif's monitoring system. As I am not always connected, in this fashion, I sought for another means by which to work with my tracks when dealing solely with the computer. I have indeed found a way, with CubaseSX, but need to know if there is a better way to do so. Right now, I export however many tracks there are - one by one (mono files) into a folder. I then import them - also one by one - into CubaseSX. This works fine (I love this CubaseSX), but is time-consuming. I am told that there was a way by which numerous audio files could be exported, in one fell swoop, as a group - then dissolved into however many individual tracks that were comprised within the project. Searching through the online help files made mention of dissolving audio files, but seemed to give no recipe (at least none that I was able to decipher) as to how to go about it. Of course, it could be that I had been given misinformation, and that I jut don't understand the true concept behind this matter of 'dissolving'. Any and all help, here, would be MOST appreciated.

 

[Easto]

I'm not really sure what you're asking since I'm not that much of an expert with SX but... have you tried selecting multiple files at the same time and just do a drag n drop?

 

[Atterion]

Well I'm not really sure why Sonar won't let you playback your audio without the MOTIF (Seems a bit odd, you might want to look into that further).
As far as your question goes: In Sonar you can select all the audio you want to transport to Cubase and export it as an OMF file (From the File Menu). OMF packs all your audio into one file, however the original audio clips will be left intact).
Open Cubase and Import OMF (From File Menu), and choose a folder for your project (I would set this up before you export the OMF from Sonar so you can save it right there). Cubase will then unpack all the audio files into the project folder, put them in the audio pool, and place them on tracks in the same relative position they were in Sonar. Voila!!!

 

[NLAlston]

Atterion,

Thanks a HEAP for that VERY HELPFUL info. I am about to attempt this just as SOON as I finish authoring this to you. I don't know why Sonar acts in the manner that it does - regarding playback of my MotifES's sequenced tracks, and I have tried absolutely everything to combat this issue. But all to no avail. The playback of these tracks (if not going back through my Motif-connected monitoring system) is always clothed with scratchy & staticy sounds. So much so that it makes the listening process unbearable. I noticed, however, that CubaseSX offers FOUR ASIO drivers, as opposed to the ONE in Sonar. I don't know much about these type of things, but wonder if this factor might play into the problem I am experiencing. The only is, is that I can set up my MotifES/mlAN16e in Sonar, but can't seem to do so in CubaseSX. I am sure that if I could get setup properly, in Cubase, I would be good to go with that playback matter. But, for now, I will most definitely go with your suggestion. And thanks again.

 

[NLAlston]

Atterion,

I just traveled through your previously outlined "Export/Import OMF" process, and want to tell you that this is exactly what I wanted. And I can't thank you enough for your guidance. The only thing that would make this matter better would be if I could work entirely within the one program - CubaseSX.

But I can work with this. And THANX again.

 

[Atterion]

Well glad your up and running again, well at least partially anyways. Sounds like driver problems in Sonar, you say the audio sounds scratchy, so I'm guessing maybe the buffers are set to low for the drivers in Sonar. Try increasing the playback buffers. I assume when you say your monitoring back through the MOTIF, that you mean you are using the MIDI tracks in Sonar to actually play the MOTIF's synth engine right??? Anyways look into that and try changing the drivers as well. If your soundcard offers WDM drivers in Sonar try those, I have usually had good luck with WDM drivers.

As far as setting up your MLAN in cubase, I can't help you there. But I'm sure help for that issue, is probably just another post away for you. Good Luck

 

[NLAlston]

Well glad your up and running again, well at least partially anyways. Sounds like driver problems in Sonar, you say the audio sounds scratchy, so I'm guessing maybe the buffers are set to low for the drivers in Sonar. Try increasing the playback buffers. I assume when you say your monitoring back through the MOTIF, that you mean you are using the MIDI tracks in Sonar to actually play the MOTIF's synth engine right??? Anyways look into that and try changing the drivers as well. If your soundcard offers WDM drivers in Sonar try those, I have usually had good luck with WDM drivers.

As far as setting up your MLAN in cubase, I can't help you there. But I'm sure help for that issue, is probably just another post away for you. Good Luck

Atterion,

Thanks again. I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING - to get Sonar to playback right, but it just doesn't seem to want to happen for me. My soundcard - SoundBlasterLive (a cheapie, I know) - does offer the WDM/KS driver, but neither that one - nor the others (MME 32bit, Default or ASIO) will play back files correctly. The ASIO driver, in fact, won't even allow functioning UNLESS my mLAN16e is connected/activated. When that is effectuated, I can record my sequenced audio output into Sonar - and hear these particular files played back (and very satisfactorily so) through my nearfields which are connected to my MotifES7. However, once this connection is broken - and I wish to monitor playback solely through my computer - that's when my playback problem begins. It doesn't matter what files I try to play back, they ALL sound like an old abused vinyl record being played. I never had this problem with Sonar, before the mLAN integration, and now Sonar is good for nothing but getting my sequenced material into the computer. After that I must look elsewhere (CubaseSX) to continue, in the computer sense, with my creations. It's OK, though. Sooner or later I will figure out how to successfully setup my ES7/mlan with Cubase - and I will REALLY be rolling then.

 

[Atterion]

Well as long as you get something going. I would definitely contact Cakewalk and Yamaha, and see if it is a common problem, and ditch the SB Live (Probably the whole problem right there).

 

[NLAlston]

Well as long as you get something going. I would definitely contact Cakewalk and Yamaha, and see if it is a common problem, and ditch the SB Live (Probably the whole problem right there).

Yeah, it would be nice if I could get some tech support from Cakewalk on this matter. But, as situations would have it...I can't. I came across this program via a shipping glitch. The program had to be returned, and I was told that I could keep it on my system - but that it would not qualify for tech support or upgrading.

Also, I would most definitely like to get myself another soundcard. I was going to wait until I got another computer to dedicate solely to my music, but it looks like that may be a little longer coming about than I previously thought. Besides, I could always transfer the new soundcard to my next computer, and reinstall the SBLive into this one. So now it is just a matter of making a determination as to which card would best suit my needs. I had looked at one by EMU (I think the name of it was) which was selling for about a hundred bucks. I know that this particular card would outshine the SBLive, but wonder if I should go even better. I basically work alone, meaning that I wouldn't need anything with a sleu of input connectors. But I would like a really great card. I don't know what model that EMU card was, but what do you think about that particular line?

 

[Atterion]

I haven't used them personally, but I have heard good things (Especially the higher-end (Studio) bundles which feature the EmulatorX Sampler. I do know that they offer hardware effects that show up as VST effects in your host. Although I have heard they are not the best, They would be good to have going in place of better software ones, if system is lacking. At least during the recording stage, you could always change over to better effects when you mix down. And they also feature a nice mixer setup , and tons of virtual ASIO drivers. Definitely research first though. I highly recommend the Delta line from M-Audio. If you want no-frills straight up easy-to-use high quality sound look at the Delta 44 (About $150). You can get the 2496 (Which is what all the Delta's are based around for under $100).