I know this must sound reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal stupid but throughout everything ive learned ive never actually used a midi track. I use soft synths but i dont know anything other than the fact that a midi track and a soft synth instrument track are two different things. I first noticed that a midi track is alot more complex than i thought when i started learning to use the pentagon vocoder. Whats the difference between just a soft synth and a midi track? WHat all can you do with a midi track? whats the difference between a simple instrument track and a midi source? Anything at all that you find helpful to know about midi will be a appreciated. Also on a side note i still havent figured out how to use pentagon, if anyone can help me with that. thanks

In short - A simple instrument track is a combination of a MIDI track and an Audio track. Much of the routing is hidden from the user. Easy to use but less control over options etc.

A MIDI track needs a corresponding audio track if you are using a soft synth.

FastBikerBoy


In short - A simple instrument track is a combination of a MIDI track and an Audio track. Much of the routing is hidden from the user. Easy to use but less control over options etc.

A MIDI track needs a corresponding audio track if you are using a soft synth.

What he's trying to say is that instrument tracks are for dumb people.
 
Uh, I mean Simple people...

FastBikerBoy


In short - A simple instrument track is a combination of a MIDI track and an Audio track. Much of the routing is hidden from the user. Easy to use but less control over options etc.

Just a quick note... with the new Inspector in X1, you now have access to all Simple Instrument Track parameters via the Audio and MIDI tabs at the bottom of the Inspector. So unlike in 8.5, X1 gives you total control of these tracks now.

Scott

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Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

The eternal fountain of Sonar knowledge...

Thanks Scott! I didn't know that.

No problem, A1... glad to help! Just one of the many nuggets of knowledge from the SONAR X1 Power book... http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks

Yeah, I never used the Simple Instrument Tracks in past versions because of the limitations, but now I use them all the time because of this nice addition in X1.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

garrigus

FastBikerBoy


In short - A simple instrument track is a combination of a MIDI track and an Audio track. Much of the routing is hidden from the user. Easy to use but less control over options etc.

Just a quick note... with the new Inspector in X1, you now have access to all Simple Instrument Track parameters via the Audio and MIDI tabs at the bottom of the Inspector. So unlike in 8.5, X1 gives you total control of these tracks now.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

Yeah thanks Scott. TBH I've always found Instrument tracks harder than to use than a MIDI an Audio track 'cos I never really knew how to change anything.

And with full control back at your fingertips if desired, instrument tracks aren't for 'simple' but for smart people who like good overview. 

So, the old way, before X1 - you'd have to take a MIDI track, create an audio track from it with a soft synth, and link the two together - kinda like an instrument track does automatically?

Yes and no, the method is correct but instrument tracks first appeared in 8.3 IIRC, might have been earlier.