Tutorials For 700 C&R

Are there any tutorials on the V-Studio 700C&R.  The manuals which come with this stuff do not tell me a lot about how to do things.  I've got a zillion questions on the Fantom X.  For an example, I am using the Getting Started book and in the Initial Settings chapter about playing back MIDI demo songs.  I've loaded the song, create a new audio track and etc and it works.  Cool.  So, that brings questions to mind: 

For every MIDI track I've got through Fantom X, do I need an audio track?

Will all of the Fantom MIDI tracks go through the one audio track?

How do I create an arrangement with several different MIDI voices on the Fantom so they are independent of each other?   I have been assuming, I could have (for example) 6 MIDI tracks with different voices such as piano, guitar, bass, sax, trumpet, some sort of percussion.  When having those tracks, I should be able to adjust the levels and pan them individually.

How do I change the voice?  (I tried the CH and patch and for some reason, the voice changed to a harpsichord and now I can't get it back to the piano).

Hey RA1222, Have a read on the other thread 'Fantom Not Operational, The Fix' I have done a fairly length post there about some Fantom production techniques.

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1820515

I don’t understand what is happening.  The first time I followed some of the instructions given by Mr Evans, everything appeared to be working just fine.  I just couldn’t get past assigning a voice to the first Fantom track.  I’ve restarted several times and I am gradually losing what I gained.
 
This is what I am doing and what is happening:
 
I opened a new project and created 8 MIDI tracks.  I assigned my MIDI controller to each of the tracks.  (My MIDI controller is a Yamaha Motif XS-7.)  The instructions say:
 
“Each Midi track should have a different Midi Channel.  Ch1 to start and go upwards”. 
 
I inserted the Fantomm VS synth and used “All Synth Aduio Outputs Stereo).  The instructions say, “Pull the newly created fader down and fade up Fantom in the Direct Mixer instead.  I guess, I am not sure what that means.  Where is the newly created fader.  I guess, I am not sure what the “Direct Mixer” is, either.  I had assumed it was the mixer that appears as the Fantom VS Editor as it looks like a mixer.  I am also thinking, it might be the virtual control surface on the left side of the track view where there is a fader.
 
Incidentally, as in the book on “getting started”, I inserted an audio track.  On the Input, I selected, “Fantom VS 1 Primary Output: Stereo”.  The Output, I selected, “VS-700 Sub” because my monitors are hooked up to the Sub instead of the Main.
 
My Input, of course is the MIDI controller, which says “Yamaha MOTIF XS7-1 – Omni”.  I put that on all of the MIDI channels as I figured the same Input applies to all of them.  I was also thinking (probably in error) the Output for each track has to be channeled differently as each track potentially will have a different voice (thus, the different Output channel). 
 
So, I want to set the Output for each track as indicated in the directions (“Each Midi track should have a different Midi Channel”).  However, the only choice I have which is related to the Fantom is, “FANTOM VS (VS-700)”.  For some reason, when I did this earlier, I thought I had more options such as Fantom VS-700.
 
Now, on the Fantom VS Editor, I have a Piano Voice and I have 1 selected, which should be for track 1.  I am getting nothing.  (When I tried it earlier, I was getting something and was able to change to voice on the Fantom.  Now, nothing is happening.  However, if I check the VU meter for track 2 in the Track View, the VU Meter responds each time a strike a key on the XS-7 (MIDI controller).  But, there isn’t any sound.  It doesn’t matter which track I select on the Fantom VS Editor, the response is on track 2 in the Track View.  Yes, I do have the MIDI Input Echo enabled, too.

I am surely missing something or forgetting to make some sort of setting someplace.  It is probably something blaringly simple.  I just don't know.  Hopefully, I gave enough details for someone to do a diagnosis. 
 
 
 
 
 

So, I want to set the Output for each track as indicated in the directions (“Each Midi track should have a different Midi Channel”).  However, the only choice I have which is related to the Fantom is, “FANTOM VS (VS-700)”.  For some reason, when I did this earlier, I thought I had more options such as Fantom VS-700.

 
Each track should have a different Midi channel, refers to the inputs not the outputs. As far as I know, you have two sources of output from the Fantom. The primary outputs, which work in the created Synth audio output track, and  the Fantom VS700 audio outputs in the audio drop down list which you would put in the input of an audio track.
You can put the Primary outputs, Left, Right, Stereo into the inputs of an audio track but they will change to a Synth audio output track with no record button.
If your keyboard-controller outputs to channel 1 for the main keyboard and you don't have different channels for split keyboard, dual sound layer keyboard, etc., then ch 1 is your only input. Check the output channels on your keyboard.
I haven't been able to get the  16 Fantom channels to output to sixteen different Midi tracks. Have you? I know they're listed, but no sound when set up that way.
I do know that on the Midi page of the Fantom Editor, you can assign each of the sixteen channels inputs to a specific input, namely Ch 1 if so desired, and create a complex voicing.
If your keyboard outputs to different channels for backing tracks with drums, bass, and various backing instruments, the Fantom will record those instruments to seperate channels based on your keyboard channel outputs. 
There are different ways to set up the Fantom to play your chosen input voice or just receive the basic Midi data to trigger the Fantom voice. ???

My Input, of course is the MIDI controller, which says “Yamaha MOTIF XS7-1 – Omni”.  I put that on all of the MIDI channels as I figured the same Input applies to all of them.  I was also thinking (probably in error) the Output for each track has to be channeled differently as each track potentially will have a different voice (thus, the different Output channel).  
 
If you have 16 channels from the Motif, assign those 16 tracks to 16 different Midi track inputs In Sonar. I use 1 thru 16 on my Midi Merger and my keyboard sends to 16 different tracks for different instruments the keyboard will send.
Mine sends main keyboard on 4, bass on 2, Drums on 10, etc.

The goal I am trying to achieve is to have, for example, several MIDI tracks being played through the Fantom simultaneously with different voices (e.g. track 1: Piano; track 2: guitar; track 3: trumpet; track 4: bass; track 5; another trumpet; track 6: sax; and etc.)

I want to be able to record or write MIDI data in the different MIDI tracks so they could be played with different voices simultaneously. 

I wrote an e-mail to tech support and got a response.  However, my issue with the sound is still not resolved.  Tech Support sent a project with 1 audio track and 16 MIDI tracks.  It downloaded without a hitch.  I opened it and all appears to be working except I can not get any sound.  I routed my MOTIF XS7 as the input, which is my MIDI controller.  Each track I click on appears to be working.  The VU meter responds according to how I am hitting keys on the keyboard.  But, there isn't any sound.  I've tried both Main and Sub on the audio output and neither work (I should use Sub because my monitors are hooked up to them because of the cables I have).

Right now, I am mulling through the manual which is in the VS Editor's Help Menu.  Maybe I'll get a clue.

This is REALLY getting frustrating as I am spending lots of hours on trying to get this figured out and getting absolutely no where.  The fix has got to be in front of me but I just can't see it.

I restarted the project I was sent and I got NOTHING.  I mean, the VU meters aren't even responding and all of the settings are the same.  I rebooted the computer and restarted Sonar and still NOTHING. 

The frustrating part of the whole thing is that I haven't even started.  I just can't wait until things get going if this is any omen as to what is going to happen.  The VS2480 never had these type of problems.  I used it pretty much right out of the box, the way this thing has been advertised as to how easy it is to get started.