Instrument definitions in Sonar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sepheritoh
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Sepheritoh

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Hi

Can someone please tell me how to create instrument definitions in Sonar for virtual (DX or VST) instruments. The online help says to click on Options-Instruments to display the Assign Instruments dialog box. That I do, but it then greys out the define box that I am supposed to click.

Help appreciated
 
I'm not sure if you can make own Instrument Definitions for Virtual Instruments. As far as I know IDs are used for hardware MIDI-ports...
 
Thanks, nice, but yeah, I downloaded it and could not figure out how to use is for soft synths.
 
If you find out that Instrument Definitions is usefull for sofhsynths, then please let us know. :)
 
Sorry Moskus. I could not find that it is usefull yet. Tried it by using loopback device, even tried it by looping back the cable physically.

Ins maker seems to work by sending a query to the synth and recieving a sysex-type reply back. This is not supported by DX or VST that I am aware of.

There must however be some way, as Sonar itself can query soft synths for patch and bank names. Even note names are supported for certain soft synths (eg DR008), but not all (eg VST synth - CM505). This is probably done within some clever programming (which I know nothing about).
 
Sepheritoh said:
Ins maker seems to work by sending a query to the synth and recieving a sysex-type reply back. This is not supported by DX or VST that I am aware of.
Right! A query is sent to the synth asking for the names on the banks and patches.

But why do you want to make your own? Many synths come with a set of presets that can be selected from the Bank/Patch area in the MIDI-track (at least many DXi-synths do this).
 
Yes. The patch & bank names are supported, but not the note names. EG when using CM505 or drumatic (drum synths), the pianoroll always comes up with a piano keyboard on the left side for a M505 track. I know this can be changed by right-clicking on the piano and selecting an instrument definition, but it only list the standard GM drums. The soft synths do not comply to GM drums in all ways.
 
Sepheritoh said:
EG when using CM505 or drumatic (drum synths)
That's why Sonar has the Drum Map manager. Look it up in the manual, it's exactly what you want! :)


And hey, another CM reader!
 
Thanks. Guess I'll have to spend some time getting to learn how to use that drum map manager.

(Cool mag that CM)
 
It's not hard to do, in fact it's pretty easy, but it takes time.


And by the way, Instrument Definitions wouldn't help you with this (I believe).
 
Moskus.

BTW, in drum mapper I have to name each patch manually. When creating different drum sounds in different patches (eg patch 1 would have a hard kick & patch 2 would have a trance kick), the drum mapper only displays the note name as I typed it in the manager. It does not recognise the new name for the note in the other patch.

Am I right by saying this?
 
I think you need to make different Drum Maps for different patches.
 
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