If you don't have xlr outputs on your audio gear, always use a TRS (tip, ring and sleeve) quality cable and not a regular 1/4" phone cable when connecting your audio equipment if you equipment supports it. 
While it is true that you can use a regular 1/4" phone cable in a TRS jack, you will not get any benefit of low noise, low hum, etc. unless you use quality TRS cables.  
Like these:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BP5?adpos=1o3&creative=54989267161&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CLS34uzHocQCFWdo7AodikIAmg
 
I lived with hum for years before I learned this lesson.  Don't go cheap on your cables!
 
 
 

Oversize instrument cable plug connectors:
 
When buying a pre-made instrument cable make sure the cable manufacturer is not using oversize 1/4" plug connectors.  Some "premium" manufacturers like to use 1/4" plugs that are slightly too large in diameter.  They reason the diameter increase ensures a "firm" connection.  What they do not tell you is the oversize plug can, and many times does, deform the receptacle internal spring tabs inside your instrument, audio interface, amplifier, effect pedal or rack equipment.  When you return to standard diameter 1/4" connectors they will no longer reliably work with your instrument or equipment.
 
If a new cable connector requires more than normal force to insert, don't buy it.

Yes Jim, learned the hard way.

Sorry just delete this post. My only tip is probably obvious, if something sounds it probably is.
 

It's only Wednesday but what the heck.
 
I keep a big roll of two conductor with braided ground mic cable and a large assortment of XLR male and female connectors and stereo and mono 1/4 jacks on hand to make cables as the need arises. I've recently needed a bunch of insert cables for recording off the mixer, several instrument cables including an extra long instrument cable and just today I needed a new balanced TRS cable.
 
I spent maybe $150 or so on a huge roll of mic cable and a ton of various jacks. That amount of money won't buy much in the way of pre-made cables retail. Add another $100 for a decent soldering station and you're set.
 
Believe me, this setup will pay for itself. Making your own cables will save you a boat load of money that you'd much rather spend on shiny new gear.  
 
 

does anyone know if metadata is within sonarx3  and if so how do I find it

Karyn
Your ears are the most important tool in your mixing arsenal, and they're the one bit of kit that you're forced to use and you can't change them.  So learn to trust them.

Well,..... mine are changing. {-(

It's only 2 days past Friday - so my Sunday twilight tip.
 
Melodyne temp file:
I moved the melodyne temp file to a SSD drive after experiencing slow slow slow downs by having this temp file on a HD7200 drive. After making the switch to SSD my melodyne processing moved much faster. Major jump in processing speed. :)
 
 
 
 

soens

Karyn
Your ears are the most important tool in your mixing arsenal, and they're the one bit of kit that you're forced to use and you can't change them.  So learn to trust them.

Well,..... mine are changing. {-(

Same here... SPAN is my friend, I'm afraid to say...

It's friday. My little tips:
Tip 1: don't automate volume. Instead automate a gain plugin. That way you can use the volume fader to lower/raise the overall volume whenever you want, without selecting the whole envelope first.
Tip 2: the loop marker is handy as a visual marker. Use it if you want to focus on a specific region temporarily. It's more visible than normal markers and a regular "selection" which by the way gets very easily de-selected when you navigate around :)