Cakewalk X3 User's Guide

SONAR X3USER GUIDE

10 Installation, registration and basic setupRunning SONAR for the first timeRunning SONAR for the first timeThere are two ways to start SONAR:• Doub

Running SONAR for the first timeInstallation, registration and basic setup 11Figure 1. The MIDI - Devices section.At the top of the window, you will

12 Installation, registration and basic setupBasic audio setupBasic audio setupIn order to hear sound when playing back a project in SONAR, it is ess

Basic audio setupInstallation, registration and basic setup 134. Select the desired Input Driver. Depending on your computer's configuration, you

14 Installation, registration and basic setupBasic audio setup6. Go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings to select the playback and

Connecting your equipmentInstallation, registration and basic setup 15Connecting your equipmentThere are several types of audio interfaces (sound card

16 Installation, registration and basic setupConnecting your equipmentThe following table describes the various types of analog and digital connectio

Connecting your equipmentInstallation, registration and basic setup 17Connect an electric guitar to your computerConnect a microphone to your computer

18 Installation, registration and basic setupConnecting your equipmentConnect a MIDI interface or controller to your computerMIDI (Musical Instrument

Opening a demo projectInstallation, registration and basic setup 19Opening a demo projectNow that your sound device is configured, let's open the

2 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commit-ment on the part of Cakewalk, Inc. The software des

20 Installation, registration and basic setupI can’t hear the demo project3. Select the file by clicking on it so it is highlighted and then click th

I can’t hear the demo projectInstallation, registration and basic setup 21I can see meters moving in SONAR, but I don't hear anything• The most l

22 Installation, registration and basic setupRegistering SONARRegistering SONARWe strongly encourage you to register your copy of SONAR. Registration

23SONAR TourIn this chapter, we will explore the basics of SONAR to get you started. Be sure that you have completed all instructions in the “Installa

24 SONAR TourGetting aroundGetting aroundThe project is the center of your work in SONAR. A project may contain a number of different elements, includ

The Control BarSONAR Tour 25The Control BarMuch of your time in SONAR is spent recording and listening to your project as it develops. The Control Bar

26 SONAR TourSkylightSkylightSkylight introduces a next generation workspace and presents a new level of simplicity by providing an intelligent interf

The Track viewSONAR Tour 27The Track viewThe Track view is the main window that you use to create, display, and work with a project. When you open a p

28 SONAR TourThe Track viewThe Clips pane shows the clips in your project on a horizontal timeline called the time ruler that helps you visualize how

The Console ViewSONAR Tour 29The Console ViewThe Console View is where you can combine the sounds on all the different tracks to create the final mix

Table of contents3Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5About this manual.

30 SONAR TourThe Browserright pane contains main channel strips. You can drag the pane splitter bars to resize the panes.• Channel strips. Each track,

The InspectorSONAR Tour 31The InspectorWhen working on a project, you will frequently need to access track and clip parameters and mix controls. The T

32 SONAR TourThe Inspector

33Getting StartedIn this chapter:Creating, playing and saving projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34 Getting StartedCreating, playing and saving projectsCreating, playing and saving projectsUnderstanding and managing project files is central to you

Creating, playing and saving projectsGetting Started 35Open a Project. Use this button to open a standard File Open dialog, which lets you select the

36 Getting StartedCreating, playing and saving projectsLet’s explore some of the things you can do in this window.Name. Type the name of your project

Creating, playing and saving projectsGetting Started 37Cancel. Click Cancel to close the New Project File dialog.Help. Click Help to open the online H

38 Getting StartedCreating, playing and saving projects•The Go to Folder drop-down list allows you to quickly move to commonly used folders for projec

Creating, playing and saving projectsGetting Started 39Let’s start with the Bass track. Locate the track named Bass in the project. Let’s take a close

4 3 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Creating, playing and saving projects. . . . .

40 Getting StartedCreating, playing and saving projectsLocate the drop-down list for Output and click the small arrow to show all available outputs. S

Creating, playing and saving projectsGetting Started 41Experiment with the Mute and Solo buttons on each track. If you solo multiple tracks you wi

42 Getting StartedCreating, playing and saving projectsTake a look at the drop-down list labeled Save as type. Click the Save as type arrow to see a l

Recording audio into a projectGetting Started 43Recording audio into a projectOne of the most important aspects of creating music in SONAR is digital

44 Getting StartedRecording audio into a project5. Click the Output drop-down menu to select the track’s output.The available outputs for the track ar

Recording audio into a projectGetting Started 45Figure 11. The record meter shows the input level.Recording your performanceNow that everything is se

46 Getting StartedRecording audio into a project

47TroubleshootingIf you’re having a problem with SONAR, don’t panic. • Check the SONAR X3 ReadMe for additional information that wasn’t available when

48 Troubleshooting

49AAudiotypes of inputs 15Audio setup 12BBrowser 30CClips 24Console view 29Control Bar 25DDemo projectopening 19troubleshooting 20EElectric guitarconn

5PrefaceSONAR User Guide is designed to help you learn and use SONAR. This book explains how SONAR works and how to use it to create, edit, produce, a

50 RRegistration 22TTime display 24Time ruler 24Track view 26Tracks 24UUpdates 47

51CAKEWALK, INC.LICENSE AGREEMENTYOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USINGTHIS PRODUCT. INSTALLING AND USING TH

52 (i.e., stand alone) in any way, including for use in sampling or sample playback units, or in any sound library product,or in any radio or televisi

5310. MISCELLANEOUS. 10.1. Governing Law. The terms of this License shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of theUnited States and

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6 Conventions used in this bookConventions used in this bookThe following table describes the text conventions in this book: Convention MeaningBold Te

7Installation, registration and basic setupIn this chapter, you will learn how to install and register SONAR, and also how to connect and configure yo

8 Installation, registration and basic setupInstallationInstallationPlease note before installing:• In order to install SONAR, you must log on as a u

InstallationInstallation, registration and basic setup 9To install SONAR1. Start your computer.2. Close any open programs that are open or running.3.