Helpful ReplySonar X1 and BFD2

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
Ronin2112
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 5
  • Joined: 2008/06/03 21:55:50
  • Status: offline
2012/08/14 20:58:31 (permalink)

Sonar X1 and BFD2

Not getting anywhere with Cakewalk or FXpansions tech support, so I come here.
 
Any help from gurus out there would be a much needed blessing.
 
I recently purchased Sonar X1. It is sweet
I installed it with the updates in order "c" 1st and "d" 2nd.
All is well. Sonar worked perfectly.
Tired of Session drummer3 sounds I purchased BFD2 and installed everything to it's default locations on my main drive(C). Everything worked great and the interface between Sonar and BFD was flawless.
Not even a hint of trouble.......
 
However.........
I will be recording Guitars (at least 3 tracks), Bass (one track) and various soft synths plus BFD2 will be used. I will mix then record these to a Tascam Multi track Tape Recorder to record all the Vocals.
 
I was told by FXpansions that I need to separate my recorded streaming audio (Gtr,Bass, Soft synths) from BFD, so I purchased another internal HD and reinstalled BFD2.
 
I sent the Application Paths to Drive(C) and the samples (Data Path) to Drive(F).
 
Many times VST scanning didn't work as the messages were (not a valad file) and a host of bugs appeared out of nowhere.
 
So..... On Drive(F) I made a file (Program File(x86)) and BFD automatically sent the data path there.
I forced the VST Paths to Cakewalk\VST plugins and everything sort of works.
 
But the problems just got worse. C++ Library Errors abound, BFD2 loads all drums and key maps, but with no sound and I tried setting paths and rescanning with no luck.
I have tried uninstalling and re installing BFD2 several times trying every way tech support told me.
Nothing works....
 
I am almost ready to uninstall Sonar X1 and BFD2, Defrag the main drive(C) and put it all back to it's default locations Drive(C). This seemed to be the best way to begin with. I had NO trouble when it was this way before.
 
My questions are:
(1) Would it be better to reinstall both Sonar and BFD to my Main Drive(C) and send recorded sonar tracks to Drive (F)?
 
If so, How do I do that?
 
(2) Would it be better to install all Sonar sample audio(Dimension etc... ) and BFD2 Audio samples to my external HD and just record to my internal Drive (F)?
 
How do I do that? (this seems a bad choice considering having tried to seperate things are creating many problems).
 
(3) It seems there are many ways to do this.
I have read some great threads, but nothing (so far) for my dilemma.
I need a simple, easy to understand method to get things working properly, so I can get back to writing music and stop wasting my time fighting with this..
 
Any tried and true way to do this??
 
Sorry to ask, but the language used by tech support and the language used on the PC are NOT the same.
File folders are confusing as well as they can be named differently from what tech support says and things load by default into unassuming folders like (Common File, Program file, Program File(x86) and so on..).
 
I explaind to both Sonar and BFD tech support that I am a novice at this and need the dummy explanation to get by...
 
I am a musician first and a reluctant engineer. 
My PC skills and PC language are severely limited.
I barely grasp DAW and programming things...
Even when everything is working properly...LOL !!!
 
Any help is greatly appreciated !!!!
 
My system:
OS:Win7 64bit
CPU: Intel i3 @ 3.30GB
RAM: 8GB
USB: both USB2 & USB3 ???
Main (internal) Hard Drive: 500GB
Secondary (internal) Hard Drive: 500GB
USB Hard Drive: 320GB (480mbps @ 7200rpm)
Roland Quad Capture(USB)
Sonar X1 Producer Expanded
BFD2
#1
List Solutions Only

7 Replies Related Threads
    Bristol_Jonesey
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 16775
    • Joined: 2007/10/08 15:41:17
    • Location: Bristol, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/15 05:19:11 (permalink) ☄ Helpful
    The best way to set up your hard drives is like this:

    Disc 1: Programs, Operating System
    Disc 2: Cakewalk Projects (Audio)
    Disc 3: Sample Libraries (BFD, DimPro etc)

    If you want to totally uninstall Sonar & start again, use this recipe:

    1) Completely un-install SONAR from your computer. This is normally done from Start | Programs | Cakewalk. This will not remove any of your project files or audio data.   

    2) Next you will want to open the Run Command 
      
    a) In Windows XP this can be done by going to Start | Run  
     b) In Windows Vista and 7 this can be done by holding down the ‘windows’ key and pressing ‘r’   

    3) At the prompt type regedit and click OK.  

     ***Backup your Registry before making edits - you do this by clicking the File menu, Export Registry File.   ***
     
    4) Now delete the following Registry keys:  
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer\X1
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer\X1   

    NOTE  that this will remove any effects presets and key bindings you may have made in Cakewalk. You can back these up separately if you like, using Options|Key Bindings, Tools|SONAR Plug-in Manager, and Options|Colors. Hit F1 in these views for detailed instructions on how to do this.  

    5) Open the 'Run' command again.  

    6) Copy and paste the following into the prompt:   %appdata%\Cakewalk   

    7) This will open your Cakewalk Application Data folder, right-click on the SONAR folder and choose rename.  
    8) Rename this folder SONAR X1 Backup. 

    9) Open the 'Run' command again and type msconfig Click OK and then click on the Startup tab at the upper right of the window that opens. 

    10) Uncheck all items listed, click OK, then restart your computer. You can always recheck those items again at a later time. 

    11) Then reinstall SONAR. Make sure to have any virus scanners disabled on installation. It is not required or recommended to turn off any windows services.  
    12) Start by installing X1.
    13) Now install the X1c patch
    14) Now install Expanded (if you have it)
    15) Finally install X1d

    ____________________________________________________________________

    A defrag shouldn't really be necessary, but there's nothing wrong with doing one.

    If you don't want to delete your existing BFD library, don't fret it - you can always change where BFD expects to find the samples after the program is loaded.

    CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughout
    Custom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
    #2
    daveny5
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 16934
    • Joined: 2003/11/06 09:54:36
    • Location: North Carolina
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/15 09:09:22 (permalink)
    I don't understand why you are using tape to record the vocals when you can do that right inside of Sonar. 

    Dave
    Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F
    Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX
    Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic.
    Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. 
    Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
    #3
    Ronin2112
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5
    • Joined: 2008/06/03 21:55:50
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/16 18:34:21 (permalink)
    Thank you very much Bristol...
    I printed your post and I'll give it a try as a last resort.
    But I'm still unsure if I want to uninstall Sonar X1 at this point.
    As of right now I totally uninstalled BFD2 and Sonar is working perfectly with no C++ errors or anything else. 
    I will play with Sonar and run it through it's paces to see if it actually is 100% ok.

    I'm thinking of just reinstalling BFD2 to my Primary Drive then moving the BFD2 data folder to the external Drive and see if BFD and Sonar will scan and accept it.

    If that works, then I will try to use my secondary internal drive as my recording disk by sending all recorded Sonar recorded audio there. I'm still a bit foggy if just sending the audio folder there would actually make the secondary drive a recording disk.
     
    Daveny....
    Although digital recording is nice and it has become better since it's inception with the amazing new plugins ,  I found that mixing down bass, guitar, drums and keys in Sonar then running the final mix through a bank of analog processors (EQ, Comp, etc..) with pretubes (Avalon) to analog tape before sending it to a final digital recording gives me a more harmonically rich sound thereby getting that sound I desire.
    As for the Vocals... My living situation doesn't allow me to belt out the vox where I live.. Neighbors...
    So I must go to a rehersal studio to lay down the vox tracks on my Tascam 24-track open reel recorder (Ancient? YES!! But beautiful analog tape sound!!!) and I prefer analog tape as it has a naturally better sound and more headroom than digital.
    It is a bit of work, but the results are worth it.
    In short, I'm an "Old School" musician in a modern digital world..
    #4
    Bristol_Jonesey
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 16775
    • Joined: 2007/10/08 15:41:17
    • Location: Bristol, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/17 04:10:17 (permalink)
    I'm thinking of just reinstalling BFD2 to my Primary Drive then moving the BFD2 data folder to the external Drive and see if BFD and Sonar will scan and accept it.


    You don't need to do this. BFD will ask you where you want the data files to be written to during installation.

    If you do move them after installation, you'll have to update the paths in preferences (BFD)

    CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughout
    Custom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
    #5
    Ronin2112
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5
    • Joined: 2008/06/03 21:55:50
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/19 19:52:51 (permalink)
    Hi Bristol,

    Yeah, I know.
    I had BFD2 installed to my main drive, but FXpansions told me to get another drive and just move the data then run BFD's trash an build. It didn't work, so they told me to uninstall and reinstall BFD. Data path to my secondary drive, App/VST paths to default locations on the primary drive.

    When I reinstalled BFD data to another drive, it made it's own folder, but there was nothing but trouble. When launching BFD it said it couldn't find critical resources and subfolders necessary.
    I scanned every BFD folder, but it always says "not a valid BFD file" and I couldn't go any further.

    I recently sent FXpansions the entire BFDLog file.
    I'm waiting for a response.
    I have a feeling that I may need to manually delete all BFD Registry keys to do a proper installation..

    On a bright note...
    After a few days of testing, Sonar X1 seems to be working perfectly, so I won't touch it.
    I just need to figure out a simple way to use another drive for "recording only" without uninstalling/reinstalling Sonar and making a mess of things.
    #6
    Ronin2112
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5
    • Joined: 2008/06/03 21:55:50
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/20 19:40:21 (permalink)
    Got it!!!

    It took quite some time (about a week and a half) and many uninstall/reinstalls, but I finally got it working....

    The first problem was letting BFD2 create it's own folder.
    It always made a folder labled "Audio" and it refused to scan it as a valid BFD file. That really got under my skin.

    From trial and error I found that to install my Data to an empty drive (USB drive), I had to first "optimize it for music" and second make a folder "Program Files (x86)" then install the data path there. 
    Once I did that, it made it's own "folders" (BFD\Fxpansions etc...) within my Program Files (x86) folder and accepted the folder and all went well.
    Now my secondary ''internal" drive can be dedicated for recording once I figure out how to do that.

    The only reason I can think for this folder issue to be happening is maybe because my PC is Japanese that has been converted to English. Maybe it's a language programing thing we just don't see on the surface?
    I'm not 100% sure, but it works perfectly now and I won't look a gift horse in the mouth...

    The second problem was getting BFD's audio to work in Sonar.
    BFD stand alone worked, but not in sonar...
    Loaded songs with BFD2 wouldn't work...
    I couldn't understand how everythning went perfectly up to this point..

    After a few drinks (LOL !!!)  and a lot of thoughts on this it kinda hit me.

    Loading a song in Sonar with BFD2 that was originally installed on my Local Drive was like loading an empty shell, a ghost if you will.
    Even doing all the VST scans, adding VST scan paths to Sonar and doing all the BFD2 VST scans, adding the new Data\VST location and doing a Trash And Rebuild in BFD2 didn't do anything.
    It loaded the Kit and all it's pieces, but there was no sound. I tried everything within Sonar and BFD to get audio working, but nothing worked. 

    So.....
     I tried to insert a totally new soft synth (BFD2) kit from it's new installed locations, copied and pasted the track to the new BFD track and it worked. 

    Now I just have to rebuild my Kit, make a new Key Map and I should be ok.

    Thanks for your time Bristol...
    #7
    John T
    Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 6783
    • Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X1 and BFD2 2012/08/20 19:48:29 (permalink)
    BFD2 is amazing, but yeah, it can be a hassle to set up right.

    http://johntatlockaudio.com/
    Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
    #8
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1