Willy You know what be really cool, Cakewalk could host an X1 Bundled FX only share page for FX 2.0 Chains - users could upload/download their home made leopard print coated chains - it could be the first steps to keeping this forum a friendlier place :) :) :)

What are the panel's size limitations?

Can I just kludge all the Sonitus FX parameters into one big scrollable professional channel?

ba_midi

e.Blue


I was about to start this exact same thread! This is some really ground breaking stuff. The included presets are also killer and I look forward to using them in upcoming projects.
Of course Reason has the Combinators but that functionality only resides within the 'walled garden' that is Reason, no 3rd-party FX.

-e.B

While I do agree that this is good stuff (almost excellent stuff), and nice to see Cake actually providing useful tools like this, I wouldn't call it ground-breaking.  Other hosts have had this type of functionality (albeit presented differently) for quite some time.   So this is more "catching up", I'd say.

But at least it's being done with a good approach and definitely adds value-added benefit to X1.

Ok, I'll bite...


What other DAWs provide the ability to create FX chains with custom interfaces using included and 3rd-party plugins?


-e.B

Yes it will work with UAD

Willy You know what be really cool, Cakewalk could host an X1 Bundled FX only share page for FX 2.0 Chains - users could upload/download their home made leopard print coated chains

This is great idea and we'll look into it for sure.  Leopard-only might be to rigid we'll def. have to include categories for zebra, brushed aluminium and maybe even wood.

What are the panel's size limitations?

It is a fixed size, you can have 6 knobs and 6 buttons.

Can I just kludge all the Sonitus FX parameters into one big scrollable professional channel?

Well you could put all of the Sonitus FX plugins into a chain and map up to 12 params to the FX Chain UI (6 knobs and 6 buttons).  If you need accees to any one of the plugs in that chain double-clicking it will bring up its UI.

Jonbouy

Jonbouy... With al due respect, and I mean that, I'd say you're wrong. You've used combinators in Reason so you should really understand the significance of this feature.

I'm not wrong, and I fully understand the significance of this feature.

I don't need to own it or use it to see that unlike the Combinator it doesn't provide multi-parameter support being able to adjust several parameters on more than one effect simultaneously assigned to a single control.

Yes as I've already stated or implied it is a move forward for Sonar it is fantastic that it works on VST's but in this form, again no experience needed, if you boil it down it is supplying you with the ability to put a selection of controls from the FX in your chain and put them on a panel that you can then customise the look of.

Multi-parameter control as in a Combinator is what I was expecting, and from Noel's comments I gather was the original aim of Chains 2.0 in this incarnation is a disappointment enough to me to ensure that I won't be joining you in sharing with you first hand about it's use.

I think it was a missed opportunity. You think it's cool, I have no problem with that.

Enjoy.

Hey Jonbouy!
 
 
Should have been a little more clear. I was typing from my phone in a sleepy haze
 
When I said you were wrong I was reffering to this statement:
 

To me, as it has been implemented here, it's just smoke reflected in a mirror rather than any added useful functionality over FX chains.

 
This is very much added useful functionality Multiparameter functionality to one knob was never promised but we have a future prospect that it might be implemented - and that's cool. But it's not a Combinator, it's FX Chain 2.0 and is its own beast with strengths that are not even possible in Combinator. The two shouldn't be compared, it's like apples vs oranges.
 
You are right in saying that you don't need to own the X1 expanded to see that it's different from the Combinators but you should give the new FX Chain a spin before dismissing it as a mere half baked toy. It's a serious improvement to the nice idea of FX Chains and my enthusiasm over this is because it's now a more useful feature with even creative possibilities. It's not the Combinator, it's similar but it is its own thing and what it does adds a very powerful and significant functionality to Sonar. This thread was about appreciating FX Chain and your input here - with respect - lacks some knowledge IMO.
 
But hey, I'm free to like it as much as I want and I do and I can't wait to see what they bring to the FX Chain table in the future. I bet there's a reason for why it has its own version number. Perhaps macrocontrol over multiple parameters will be implemented in FX Chain 2.1? Either way, I'm sure if you jumped on the bandwagon and gave them a try you would see what a nice creative addition to Sonar they are. If not, you don't have to use them

...........but I'm the one making music YES - +1000

mike_mccue

If it had all the combinator features... I'd suggest that it reminds me of SynthEdit and I'd find some personal interest and curiosity in it. 

That's actually a good point. I was thinking a synthedit - but idiot proof which would be perfect. Not quite there yet tho but as Mr Bouy points out, Noel have suggested there could be something happening towards this - which means that this probably is a feature of Sonar that will be added to. Which is cool!

codamedia


Enter FX Chains 2.0: Similar concept, with one glaring difference. You control what goes into it and what is visible (to control) and what is not.  I am going to make an assumption (since I don't own expanded) that you still have access to that "low mid Q" if you really need to it - it just isn't on the front end panel for quick access.

I suspect these new FX Chains will help the users that prefer simplicity and quick access but not others (like Mike, that prefers access to all the settings). Neither user is right or wrong with their decision to use FX Chains 2.0 or not! It's just another option to getting things done - and no doubt, could make things much faster for some users.

That's the thing - everything is accessible. You just choose the parameters you want easy access to. Everything is still available. But you don't neccesarily have to pull up several plugin windows to access a few parameters you reach for often. if you have set up your FX Chain correct for your needs. As such it can be viewed as a single plugin as well with your own custom modules for the different functions.

daryl1968


Is there a way that users could share their own FX 2.0 Chains easily with other users?

Yeah, that would be awesome, like a user library that are getting so popular these days. I really hope so

Ok, Jonbouy, we get it - you have Reason so you don't need it. then don't buy it. It doesn't work with 8.5.3 anyway.

ba_midi

e.Blue

ba_midi

I didn't say the other DAWs did it the same way or better or worse.  So no biting please eB :)

The concept is not new, that was my point.   Example 1:  Ableton Live (racks, as well as chains);  Example 2: Studio One Pro (FX Chains though no custom user interface yet).

I've also been stating I think CW's approach is well done.

In that case, I'll stand by my original statement: ground-breaking! It's definitely not "catching-up" especially considering that they've already had FX Chains.

I'll stop biting when you stop fishing for reasons to not give these folks their due credit... 


-e.B

Yikes eB - what are you talking about?  In almost every post about "Expanded" I have, in some way, made very positive statements.    I'm not a fanboi (anymore) but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the good work put into the FX Chain and Expanded.

It's interesting how one of the consequences of the entire X1 original bad rollout scenario is that it has pinned a lot of people on this forum against each other.  I think unreasonably so, frankly.

My not being a fanboi applies to ALL developers these days, not just CW.   But - again - that does not mean I won't or don't give credit where it's due.

Please re-read my recent posts before you make that assumption in the future, thank you.

I'm not 'fishing' for anything.  Period.

Billy you do realize that I was joking right? Just like you were joking with the 'no biting please' statement. 

I will admit that I'm not very good at internet sarcasm, and the 'fishing' metaphor may have been a poor choice of words. All I know is that having spent the better part of the last year getting very familiar with Cakewalk's competition, I now know without a doubt that SONAR is the best DAW out there...for me.

My apologies if you took offense...

Peace,

-e.B

cryophonik


I'm totally with ProjectM on this - FX Chain 2.0 is an excellent addition and I've already created some third-party FX chains/custom channel strips.  This is the kind of user-focused feature that I have come to expect from Cakewalk.

One minor complaint I'd throw out here now is that I don't see a way to load FX Chain "presets" from within the GUI itself.  So to audition various presets one has to delete (or disable) the chain in the FX bin and then load the preset via the Explorer type window or via the browser's D&D.  

I think it'd be nice to be able to access FXC2 presets directly from within the GUI similar to how we do it now for other FX plugins.

daryl1968


Jonbouy mate, it just gets a bit boring and predictable - a few positive comments - people talking about sharing FX chains etc (very hippy like, I know) and someone chimes in with 'oh but Reason has had it since....Pro Tools does it better....Cubase has VST3' - I don't really give a s**t about all of that. If I wanted to get bombarded with negative stuff, i would be watching CNN. Choose a thread with a negative title and join in with that - you'll be in good company there.

Sorry somebody said where did it exist before, I replied.  I wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise.

btw you ain't me mate buddy...

And if you read anything you'll see I haven't been negative at all unlike the post I've just quoted.