I want to fade in and out of a complete song. All the tracks are midis controlling outboard modules
 
The option "process" > "apply effect" comes up ok, but the "fade/enevolope" I want to use is greyed out - as in fact are all the apply effect options.
 
I've selected the the track and highlighted the section to fade, but no joy.
 
I had thought I could fade in/out the entire piece if the tracks were all selected  but nope!
 
What am I doing wrong here or is there another way to fade out the whole piece?????
 
 
 
 

If it was me I would record all the audio from my outboard modules first and then go from there.
 
Edit:
 
Sorry, Mike, I should clarify that I would record a new stem for each module.
 
I prefer to do that than to use MIDI for controlling volume.
 
cheers
 
andy

I would just stick a volume envelope on your master buss and be done with it.

Hi. Is bus automation available in X3 Studio?
If so, you could use that. Fade in/out Master bus.
All the best.

I use bounce to tracks then face the new clip.

You say that you MIDI tracks a re controlling outboard modules.  Do they all respond to CC11 expression?. 

If so, What I would do is select all MIDI tracks, which the From and to markers placed at the beginning and end of where you want the fades to occur.  Then use Insert Series of controllers using controller 11 and set the Begin and End values accordingly.

Can I just share with you why I think recording separate audio tracks of MIDI "performances" is a good idea?
 
Quite a few years ago now, before the advent of "virtual synths" and DAW's, I started to build up my MIDI system. I used Cakewalk (with no audio capabilities at all) to drive all my synths and I the only thing I had at the time to record the output was Sound Forge.
 
So, I would set my song in motion and record the whole thing in one go, running everything through a small mixer and into my PC audio in.
 
I thought it was okay at the time. But, as I more recently started to learn, with the help of Peeps here, I realised that what I had recorded was pretty crap, not just composition wise, but audio too.
 
I have since tried to go back and re-record and re-master some of the better pieces, but, alas, the memory backup battery of my Roland JP-8000 had run right down and after replacing it I had lost all of my presets (yeah, I know, I could have backed those up but I didn't) and the ribbon controller had failed, and I have not been able to replicate a lot of the sounds I used.
 
Now that I have Sonar, and I am also starting to go back to using some of my hardware, once I am happy with how a MIDI track sounds, I record the audio. I keep the MIDI, though, and I can go back and re-record something if needs be.
 
This way, I can concentrate on the composition first and then once that is complete I can do any necessary EQ adjustments on the audio track and apply any fades/automation.
 
And, if I learn new techniques, and feel I want to improve a mix, I can do so regardless of whether or not my hardware still works.
 
 
cheers
 
andy

Hi all and thanks everyone. OK first:
 
My X3 doesn't seem to offer an automation on the master bus, so that's out
 
Andy: My history is similar to youre although I started with Midisoft Studio - which went bust! At the moment I'm recording the audio from the modules using a mixer (with any audio in Sonar) straight to a Denon sd recorder.
 
It seems that a more elegant solution might be to sub-mix the outboard boxes and record the lot to a spare audio in pair on the Spahhire A/D. The envelope the whole thing. Of course I could cheat and wind the mixer output down at the end of the track and record the fade directly, but then I wonlt have it stired!
 
prom id: I hadn't thought of using CC11. It does mean put the controller on every track which I was hpoing to avoid. But I'll give it a try.
 
really appreciate the inputs from everyone, so again thanks alot
 
 

Tremor
 
My X3 doesn't seem to offer an automation on the master bus, so that's out
 

X3 studio is 3 years  old, not 300 years old. Of course it has automation.

1- Make sure the R button (see photo above) is depressed.
2- Go to 5 seconds before you want you fade out to start
3- Press the W button (see photo above)
4- Press Play
5- Now create your fade
 
Stop the transport and disengage the W button.
 
This is how it works:
The W button=Write button.
The R button= Read button.
 
If you are not using automation in your projects.. Its like eating a banana split with no banana.

The Process menu is for Audio tracks. I believe if all you have is midi tracks controlling outboard synths, a bus fade won't work because the synths are playing thru your interface, which is also outside Sonar. For Sonar to manipulate the synth outputs they need to be recorded into Sonar on an audio track and sent to the Master Bus with an automation envelope.
 
Or you can apply cc11 controllers to the end of all your midi tracks as mentioned above.