I can't figure out how to use Dimension Pro

I searched the forums, tried to find decent looking videos, went through the help file just trying to figure out how to use this Dimension Pro thing. Can it be used as a soft synth (like TTS) where I just tell it to work with a midi track? If so, I don't see any way to accomplish that. I even brought up the standalone version and I couldn't even get the File menu to load in a midi file. I am obviously are missing the BIG first step. Once I get my foot in the door, I should be able to figure it all out. Any good youTube videos that I can watch that would help with this? Every video I found was either a promotional thing or had poor visual quality. Thanks in advance! Kevin

Yes, you can use it just like TTS. How are you adding it to project? Are you using Insert Synth from the Insert menu?

Can it be used as a soft synth (like TTS) where I just tell it to work with a midi track? If so, I don't see any way to accomplish that.

It IS a softsynth.... and a good one. 


All softsynths respond to MIDI data. They don't make any sounds without that. 


Insert Dimension Pro into the synth rack. If you select Simple Instrument Track from the popup, that's all you need to do. If not, then Dimension Pro will be on a synth track and you need to insert a MIDI track and set the output of the MIDI track to the Dimension Pro. 

Unlike the TTS-1, however, DPro will only play one sound at a time so for different sounds, you need to load a separate instance of DPro for each. (That's not totally true, there is an advanced function that will let you load 4 sounds into DPro, 1 into each element. See the Help Menu for how to do that.)

If you really want to get into Dimension Pro, Cakewalk has a video tutorial that is not too expensive and well worth it if you can get past the instructor's Scottish accent.) :)

Its not so much a soft synth as a soft synth sample player. Without loading a patch it will make no sound. In Dim Pro speak its a program that needs to be loaded. 

grumbleweed4162: I am pretty sure I loaded a patch (it has been a week or so), but I'll try again today.

daveny5: It certainly seems that I was doing it correctly (but I obviously wasn't!). I'll try again tonight. -- and try the "simple instrument track" as another way of doing. Thanks for all the prompt and helpful responses! Kevin

If I just want to play my keyboard, I usually will just run the standalone versions of Dimension, Rapture, and Z3tA+ 2. Those all have the "microhost". 

Load DimPro.
Make sure a Program is loaded.
Make sure the midi controller is set to midi channel1.  DimPro responds to 1-4 channels if you have it set for multitimbral.  Otherwise, all 4 elements respond to the channel it is set to.
Play.

If it is not loading in a program hit F5 to refresh the browser.  Load from browser.

If still having problems, houston, we have a problem.  it might be install.  I just installed SONAR P on a new 64 bit computer and there is a stranded mutisample folder in C:  It is best to talk to tech support.  This is a user forum, and while generally knowledgable and helpful and well tempered (and handsome, too - well most of us anyway), it can be hard to fix an anomaly.

The first step to helping us help yourself (and practice for tech support) is to list your system, daw and the process you are doing - step by step.
 
PS - tts is a gm synth and probably responds to all midi channels w/ one instance and all notes.  Dimpro responds to a single channel and, depending upon the patch, not all notes.  ONly a dozen keys or so respond if you have a drum, bass doesn't necessary extend above C, and strings and such only respond in their natural range.
@

AT: Thanks for chiming in. I'll go back to the drawing board and come back when I have a better list of steps. I just figured someone would say "Hey, here's a great video on YouTube -- go watch that" or "everything you need to know in the help file in section xxx". I don't mind figuring stuff out -- I just can't find ANY technical information on how to use dimension pro with an existing midi file. It seems that unless you are playing through dimension "live" all the time, once you have recorded you part, you are using an "existing midi file".

The responses here have been great, though -- it just means I don't really have a good enough understanding of what dimension pro really is. Kevin

You need to load a program by clicking on "Empty Program" and then select one by double clicking it in the Browser

Horns?  Usually they are restricted in the range of notes.  that might be the problem if the midi file is playing the notes on a midi channel DimPro ain't set to or if the "range" is off.

But glad it is at least making noise.  That is about all I can do, anyway. ;-)