newbie - Organising Projects Efficiently

Hey there!

You're not explaining how these FX are being used (inside of Sonar or from outboard gear) so I'll try to explain it broadly.

If you're using the FX inside of Sonar when recording your takes, then you don't have to worry about keeping an original version of your project because the FX don't get printed unless you bounce them.  IOW, your takes are kept perfectly intact (recorded dry) even though you hear them with FX inside of Sonar.  Just disable the FX or change it to your liking after the fact.

On the contrary, if you're recording using outboard gear (i.e. FX pedals, FX racks, etc) then you're obvioulsy "printing" the FX along with the guitar sound when recording.  In this case, what people do is split the signal into two: one with FX and one dry.  Both of these are gonna be sent simultaneously into Sonar.  Basically, you have two takes of the same performance (one dry and one with FX) for greater flexibility later on when mixing.  HDD space is cheap these days so it is not of real concern to have multiple takes of the same performance inside a project.

Anyways, that's as far as I'll go until you provide more info about how you're going about this.  Then I'll explain in more detail if needed.


Take care!

Always use per project audio folders. Then do as said above by the wise members. Simply save as using a different name. I like to change the name with an eye to just what is different in the new version.  Don't forget you also have a date stamp on any project. That can tell you which is the most recent.

OK,

Now I understand what you're trying to do.  In this case, AT's suggestion will be the best way to go about this.

Simply go to 'File::Save As...' and save your project with a slightly different name (i.e. Project Name 2) once you finish recording and are ready to start mixing.  This way you keep the original "Project Name" file intact.  And don't worry about disk space since both Project Files will be referencing the same Audio files.  Just make sure you have "Use Per-Project Audio Folders" selected under Options::Global::Audio Data Tab.  This will make file managing much easier.

Like I said earlier in my first post, the FX you insert in Sonar are NOT permanent.  You can change them in real time until you're satisfied with the sound, and then change e'm again.  It will not be permanent until you either bounce them or export the project to it's final format.


HTH

John


No in most cases. It will use the same audio file not a new one. You would need to bounce the track to a new track and mute the old one. However, Sonar is a non destructive audio and MIDI app. As long as you don't do something that uses the process menu most anything you do is not written in stone and can be undone. Effects are not added to the file unless you make it do so with a bounce for example. 

Thanks John.
I've only been using the application for three weeks now.
It took me a week to get a squeak out of it but I'm cooking on gas now and I'm loving it.
I take time to read the tips and watch tutorials on youtube and read some stuff in this forum but I'm starting at the bottom.
I've been a musician for slightly over 30 years so I'm OK with that side of things.
However, I don't know what 'bounce' means yet!
Thanks again! 

Eggy sorry for me being obtuse. It happens from time to time. Thank goodness Jose is here to cover my butt. He has it well explained. 

I want to comment on your attitude. First I wouldn't put yourself down because you have embarked on a wonderful trip that will only get better as you learn more. The fact that you have done so well so far on your own is a great sign that you will do great.

I wish to welcome you here and hope that all questions you have are quickly answered.  We do a good job in that regard but you, by the way you have presented yourself here, deserve our attention.

Thank you so much for being a great poster. Not everyone that comes here presents themselves in such a nice way.

If you do run into any problem or just have a question on Sonar in any regard please ask. 

ORIGINAL: eggy
 
I've been a musician for slightly over 30 years so I'm OK with that side of things.
However, I don't know what 'bounce' means yet!
 

 
Actually the term "bounce", with regard to studio terminology, dates back more than a few decades. It refers to combining multiple audio tracks and/or effects down to one or more tracks. The Beatles, just to cite one example, used the "bounce" technique to extreme measures when recording their LP's. Double-tracking vocals, adding BGV ooh's and ahh's, adding percussion, adding SFX, etc.,...They were recording on analog tape decks, frequently needing to exceed the limits of the number of tracks available...At that point the engineer would opt to "bounce" (or "comp") the good parts of the take to a new tape...Thus opening up more tracks for overdubbing needs...
 
I've actually simplified the explanation considerably, you would gain much more knowledge by researching the subject on your own - (and I don't mean that to sound condescending...it will be a lesson you'll be happy to have learned)...