Maybe I am old and senile, but I am struggling to understand how real time recording of soft synths is so much more exciting than the real time recording of the midi that feeds it that we have been doing for the past 25 years? Please educate an old dog:)

Here is a little discussion about it http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2869414

Seems like it's super-important for a small number of people with specific synths, and arguably important for the rest of us who don't want to have to work out how to ensure all the relevant automation parameters are being recorded (though I'd suggest simplifying that process would be more useful).

Let me see if this is right.  When you record midi with a VST the audio is recorded with no need to bounce? I could see that if I ever do a perfect 1st take.

kitekrazy1
Let me see if this is right.  When you record midi with a VST the audio is recorded with no need to bounce? I could see that if I ever do a perfect 1st take.

  Yes, but note that you have to use separate MIDI and Synth output tracks and arm whichever one (or both) you want to record. Or you can record just MIDI notes on the first pass, and then arm the audio track and record the synth output while tweaking synth parameters in the GUI. I think this latter workflow is where it will be most commonly useful.

some of the synths that ship with sonar have randomizing parameters if you record just the midi each time you bounce the audio it will be different. this is because these randomization parameters are not recorded in midi. those that record live using synths with the randomization parameters engaged never hear what we recorded when bouncing to a track.

The nice thing about this is that with VST instruments - sometimes over time - the file gets moved - or the instrument changes or something - and at least the instrument is recorded (embedded as audio) in the sonar project or bundle.  (I still bundle - I am stubborn for some reason.)

Just a great thing.
 

That's what freeze is for, Deswind.

I don't think freeze saves the VST instrument when that instrument no longer exists on your hard drive or has been relocated.   Actually having recorded the VST instrument in the track - means it is there even if you no longer own that VST instrument, relocated it or have other problems with it.
 
Am I wrong?  Does freeze store the instrument wav file in the project?
 

John
That's what freeze is for, Deswind.

Alchemy's Performance Pad wasn't "hooked" into SONAR for recording as far as I could discover.  If you used it "live" you needed to remember what pad number to set it on (it opened at 1) and what pattern you made.
 
Now you can record that pad performance along w/ notes.  If you are into sound manipulation rather than notes, it is big deal.
 
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