Waltenstein Studios
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how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
This is probably a silly question, but I'm having a hard time finding an answer because the signal-to-noise ratio is so low. I'm searching for terms like: save, file, project. The search engine is not being kind to me in the results. ;) Anyway, I've got a Roland A-500PRO, and it's working great. ACT works, I can use the control strip above the keys to do things like play/pause, rewind, stop, etc. But something obvious is missing. How do I SAVE MY SONAR PROJECT after a good take? I know I can setup the 8 pads on the right as control buttons and can assign File-Save to one of those. But I'd rather not change those unless I have to, since I'd like to use them as Notes rather than buttons sometimes. What I'm wondering is why it's not setup already. Isn't File-Save the MOST important thing you can do from a control surface, right after you record a take? I'm thinking there must be some keypress combination on the A-PRO that saves the project in Sonar. Or something else that's so obvious that they don't even mention it. How do you A-PRO users out there save your Sonar projects while sitting at the control surface? I'm trying to give up using the mouse while at the MIDI controller. Is it possible?
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Walt Collins SONAR X2 Producer 64-bit, Native Instruments KOMPLETE 8 Roland A-500Pro, Yamaha MOTIF ES8 Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop (16gb RAM, i7@2.30GHz) Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1 Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB interface
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Jlien X
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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Maybe assign File-Save to one of L1-L8 buttons? In my case, I just press Ctrl+S since I have a keyboard shelf that pulls out from under the A-Pro .
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Waltenstein Studios
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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I think the whole idea of a control surface that you can control the program without needing a keyboard and mouse, so I'm trying not to use those. I can re-program a touchpad, but I was hoping there was something more basic, and sort of front-and-center, for such a vital command. I would have thought it would be already programmed to be honest.
Walt Collins SONAR X2 Producer 64-bit, Native Instruments KOMPLETE 8 Roland A-500Pro, Yamaha MOTIF ES8 Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop (16gb RAM, i7@2.30GHz) Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1 Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB interface
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Jlien X
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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Waltenstein Studios
I think the whole idea of a control surface that you can control the program without needing a keyboard and mouse, so I'm trying not to use those.
I don't know if this is true. I think a control surface is mainly to control faders, knobs etc. on the virtual console (in a daw) as if you are operating a real mixer. The knobs on the A-PRO (R1-R9) represent knobs on a console (pan, EQ, etc.), rack effects/dynamics processors (comp, reverb, etc.), hardware synths, and so on, and the sliders (S1-S9) represent faders on the console, and the buttons (L1-L9) represent buttons on a tape deck, and the pads (A1-A8) represent....maybe electric drums? And if you think about it, there's no 'Save' button in a real studio (I mean studios in the old days when they didn't use daws), so that't why I think the File>Save menu is available as just one of options that you can assign to buttons or pads. Maybe the Auto-Save feature in Sonar can help you? If you use that, you won't have to do anything. The project saves itself. Sorry if my explanation wasn't good enough. I did my best. 
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Waltenstein Studios
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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Thanks for your replies Jlien X.
There's no real reason why the control surface can't/shouldn't be used to save the project. And that's the only thing missing from the default button assignments, if you think about it. I'm just surprised it's missing at all. ;)
Once I assign File-Save to a button on my A-500PRO, I don't need the mouse or computer keyboard at all, except to add or modify instruments, or to do mixing/mastering.
In fact, even basic mixing can be done quite well using the surface's sliders and buttons. Of course you'd still need the computer keyboard/mouse to do more hardcore editing or adding FX.
Walt Collins SONAR X2 Producer 64-bit, Native Instruments KOMPLETE 8 Roland A-500Pro, Yamaha MOTIF ES8 Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop (16gb RAM, i7@2.30GHz) Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1 Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB interface
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Jlien X
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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chuckebaby
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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why not just use the keyboard command CNTR+S
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Waltenstein Studios
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Re:how to save the project from the control surface (A-500PRO)
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Because that would require an additional piece of hardware I have to keep within arms reach during a take. I want to sit by my midi controller, while my computer keyboard is elsewhere.
Walt Collins SONAR X2 Producer 64-bit, Native Instruments KOMPLETE 8 Roland A-500Pro, Yamaha MOTIF ES8 Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop (16gb RAM, i7@2.30GHz) Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1 Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB interface
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