Why no master bus in Sonar?

[cominginsecond]

The only thing that I don't like about Sonar is the lack of a master bus. If I use more than one of the buses as virtual groups (so that I can apply a single EQ, for example, to several tracks) I have no way to apply an affect (like a finalizer or some overall EQ) to the entire mix. Or do I? Anyone know if this can be done?

If anyone from Cakewalk is out there, please consider adding a master bus!

 

[cstockdale]

you just use the FX bin in the mains for this. I just did it last night, applying a common reverb and EQ across an entire mix in my Main A.

 

[dachay2tnr]

Cakewalk should be well aware of users' desire for this feature. It is a constant complaint on the Sonar Newsgroup (which is hosted and frequented by Cakewalk personnel).

Unless there are significant technical issues, I would be very surprised (and disappointed) if this didn't show up in Sonar 3.0.

In the meantime there a few workarounds. For ex., export a mix and then bring it into a new Sonar project. Then you can put the effect on the VMain. Or try using the Aux Buses for your subgroups.

Not ideal, but for now you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[cominginsecond]

you just use the FX bin in the mains for this. I just did it last night, applying a common reverb and EQ across an entire mix in my Main A.

I assume then, that you weren't using the B or C or D buses. I always use more than one bus, which means I can't apply a single effect to the entire mix, only to parts of my mix.

 

[cstockdale]

fair enough, I didn't catch the jist of your question.

 

[mixsit]

I assume then, that you weren't using the B or C or D buses. I always use more than one bus, which means I can't apply a single effect to the entire mix, only to parts of my mix.

When I sent two v-mains to the same output pair for a drum sub, on export it wanted to make two seperate wave files.
Also, I believe you can be clipping on a combined output and not show it on the meters.
Wayne

 

[cominginsecond]

When I sent two v-mains to the same output pair for a drum sub, on export it wanted to make two seperate wave files.

There's a box you can check that will blend all the buses into one stereo wav.

Also, I believe you can be clipping on a combined output and not show it on the meters.
Wayne

That's when I use the meters in my M-audio monitor mixer software.

 

[moskus]

That's when I use the meters in my M-audio monitor mixer software.

Fair enough, but things would be easier if Sonar had an "Ultimate Master Bus".

 

[mixsit]

There's a box you can check that will blend all the buses into one stereo wav.

Thank you. I did not see that one.
At the time, I was ready to do a 10 song quick cd dump for the band when I ran in to this, ended up bouncing the tracks down instead, wasted some time looks like...
Thanks again.

 

[pennylink]

I second the need for a master bus!

But more importantly in the meantime, is it true that you can be "clipping on a combined output and not show it on the meters"?

I regularly use anywhere from 4-6 buses (or is it busses?), in addition to AUX, and although they don't show clipping in the Sonar meters, they do so in the mixer output meter of my Q10.

Having said that, I haven't noticed that the sound is actually clipping, i.e. there is no noticeable distortion or unpleasant noises when monitoring the mix. Also, when I mixdown to a stereo track and open it in a new Sonar project prior to mastering, the sound file doesn't appear to be clipping, both audibly or in the meter.

I'm confused... can anyone clarify?

 

[cominginsecond]

I second the need for a master bus!

But more importantly in the meantime, is it true that you can be "clipping on a combined output and not show it on the meters"?

I regularly use anywhere from 4-6 buses (or is it busses?), in addition to AUX, and although they don't show clipping in the Sonar meters, they do so in the mixer output meter of my Q10.

Having said that, I haven't noticed that the sound is actually clipping, i.e. there is no noticeable distortion or unpleasant noises when monitoring the mix. Also, when I mixdown to a stereo track and open it in a new Sonar project prior to mastering, the sound file doesn't appear to be clipping, both audibly or in the meter.

I'm confused... can anyone clarify?

If you're clipping in the Q10 meters, you're clipping. If you're not noticing distortion, it's because you're not clipping enough to get noticeable distortion. Still, it's not a good idea to clip.

 

[cominginsecond]

Fair enough, but things would be easier if Sonar had an "Ultimate Master Bus".

True that. I would definitely pay to upgrade to Sonar 3.0 if it had a master bus.

You hear that Cakewalk?!!

 

[mixsit]

...and, to add to the mush, one member thought that not all digi-meters were necessarily all that accurate. So far I've found ACKUS to line up well with Waves H/W meters though. (So far, so good.)
But if it looks clean on play back in sonar, that should be good to go.
Wayne

 

[pennylink]

Thanks cominginsecond... "If you're clipping in the Q10 meters, you're clipping. If you're not noticing distortion, it's because you're not clipping enough to get noticeable distortion. Still, it's not a good idea to clip."


OK, that makes sense. But then why does the mixed down stereo wav not clip in the track meter when you open it in a new Sonar project?

Still a little confused...

 

[cominginsecond]

OK, that makes sense. But then why does the mixed down stereo wav not clip in the track meter when you open it in a new Sonar project?

Still a little confused...

Wow. That makes no sense whatsoever. I don't have an answer for you there. I would open up the file in Sound Forge or whatever two track editor you have access to and take a close look. Maybe the Q10 meters aren't as accurate as the Sonar meters, or vice versa.