Using X2.....Playlist working fine with the new shell in logistic terms. The problem is that it changes my mixes! I'm using strictly midi files with soft synth instruments and when it loads the next song file for play, the mix changes drastically from the original project file. I need o use midi files live, and I really would love to solve this problem!

I don't think it was ever fixed in X2. It was eventually fixed in X3, IIRC in one of the later X3 updates.

I don't think it was truly "fixed" in the x3 patch either. The need for two key press operations to start a song is annoying at best and although it is apparently supposed to maintain the layout of the original saved works, loaded songs appear at random places across the screen and are no longer fully visible! When you use the layout for visual queues and they cannot be seen - big problem. I used Cakewalk 5 for several years to run live shows in the 90's with full automation of robotic lights, midi and processor changes off a Pentium 150 and it worked flawlessly. Having previously upgraded to 8.0 and found issues with it's usability, I was not happy and continued using 5. Out of the game for 10+ years and back in again, I upgraded to x3 figuring they would have surely worked out the bugs - nope.
 
Yes it's not specifically designed for live playback but there are a ton of users wanting that function to work - and now with the newest release (after upgrading in December of course!) - I sadly have no intention of upgrading again and may now be forced to look into alternative software.

hi rgx, when you say "cakewalk 5" do you mean sonar, pro audio, or cakewalk? same question for "8.0" - sonar, pro audio or cakewalk? from the "in the 90's" i'll bet a shiny coin that it's pro audio but, you know, just to be clear :-)

Sorry for not stating, but it was Pro Audio 5 and 8 that I used back in the late 90's .

rgx
Sorry for not stating, but it was Pro Audio 5 and 8 that I used back in the late 90's .

Me Too!


Those were the days!

Worth mentioning is that if all your doing is playback, and not actually playing the synths, then think about changing to what I've always done to solve any live playback issues . I just make exports of the songs as a wave file and playback using winamp. I have never had an issue and I think it's better as you can perfect your mixes so each song will be balanced properly. 
There is no fuss at the gig, and my laptop does not need to be anything special. 
 
You can read about how I operate here: 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/johns_rig.htm
 
I tried the Sonar playlist thinking about using midi to control my effects and it's just way off base compared to what I'm using.
Note: I had perfect midi playback in 1985 with an Atari and Jeff Koftinoffs Pro Midi player. Set lists, Footswitchs control and Lyrics. 
http://www.jdkoftinoff.com/main/Historic_Projects/The_Pro_MIDI_Player/
 
I think we solo performers are such a small market these day's that nobody is writing any software that is perfected for us. What Jeffs player did was perfect. All that would be needed is to add a stereo audio track to bring it into this century.  
 
The solo or small bands wish list for a playback DAW 
 
It would be a simple stripped down  DAW. It would have no editing or composing features. It would be as an add on to your regular DAW so you create the songs in your regular DAW and then save and open them here where you set them up for live playback. 
 
Audio tracks. Could be limited to a little as 2. 
MIDI tracks could play synths and control midi capable hardware. effects, lighting.
Live input to soft synth  
Slots for ? synths 
Effects for Vocals and  guitar optimized for live ( low latency)  
OK most DAWs can do the above but they are overly complicated and they can't  do this:::
 
 
Playlist:  
 Playlist that is drag and drop on the fly and can be saved. 
 Stops after each song plays
 Hot keys for start, stop,advance, back& pause so a usb or midi foot-switch can control. 
 Lyrics pop onto full screen while songs plays ( Jeff's player did this in 1984) 
 
 The DAW that adds this feature will get my money for sure. 
 

The live setup wish list - perhaps Cakewalk will hear our cry!!!
I used to switch up sets in PA5 all the time on the fly but it was 99% midi playback and 1% audio mixed in a few tracks (audio sync was rough back then!). I ran everything automated with MIDI and would like to get back to that while using the soft synth sound sources so Winamp etc. won't cut it. I got spoiled not having to tap dance across lighting controllers, guitar patch changes, and keyboard setups. Excessive time spent programming, but what a Cakewalk playing live was when finished! (I did still have to step on the fog machine! )

I just bounce midi tracks to separate audio tracks for live performance - that way you maintain the flexibility of your backing track mix. I use midi tracks to control dmx lighting, guitar patch and mixer scene changes and have not had a problem (well...apart from an early version of X2  when the playlist was pretty much broken, and a much earlier version of Sonar when the initial release left out the playlist all together!)
 
I think you will find the playlist in X3e or the latest Sonar much better behaved Georgerizzi:) It will even save your column layout - having to reorganise that every time I opened a playlist in X2 drove me mad!
 
I don't think I would trust a vsti for real time, live performance though .

I'm using playlist in Platinum and am having the same issues. I need to see my track files to sync up but the project shrinks and the dock covers the track. The concept is perfect, seems a shame to have to go to all the trouble of winamp. It seems like it should be an easy fix to get the songs to appear as they normally would. Hope it's being looked at.