I'm trying to figure out the best way to reduce the time it takes to process audio in SONAR.
 
When I highlight a track and go to process->audio effects and apply an effect, it can take as long as 5 minutes just to process. When you have to apply EQ and multiple stages of compression this can make for a very long editing session.
 
The system I use has Windows XP 32-bit, 4 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core 2 Quad processor. I'm running SONAR Producer version 8.3.1.
 
What do you think will offer the biggest improvement in process time? OS upgrade? SONAR upgrade? Hardware upgrade?

There's no reason to print the effects on the track. You are wasting time needlessly. Besides, if you print the effects on the track, then you can't remove them if you want to change them later. Just record your tracks, add effects, mix, and then File-Export-Audio and you'll have your recording. 

Not being able to remove them after the fact isn't an issue, I always save an unedited version of the recording. I've always processed the effects because I use multiple stages of compression. That and I can see the results of the compression in the wave form, and then I can make sure my recordings are all the same level.

Kingrazor


Not being able to remove them after the fact isn't an issue, I always save an unedited version of the recording. I've always processed the effects because I use multiple stages of compression. That and I can see the results of the compression in the wave form, and then I can make sure my recordings are all the same level.

Couldn't "Show waveform preview" be used in that context? I'm not sure if it works on FX, not only softsynth
audio tracks. Anyways, I wouldn't feel confident relying on the visual of the waveform.

Dumb question, but has to be asked: do you have the "fast bounce" option checked?

Kalle Rantaaho

Kingrazor


Not being able to remove them after the fact isn't an issue, I always save an unedited version of the recording. I've always processed the effects because I use multiple stages of compression. That and I can see the results of the compression in the wave form, and then I can make sure my recordings are all the same level.

Couldn't "Show waveform preview" be used in that context? I'm not sure if it works on FX, not only softsynth
audio tracks. Anyways, I wouldn't feel confident relying on the visual of the waveform.

Using the wave form gives me a easy an easy way to show volunteers how to do things. I have two other people that handle editing when I'm gone and it's easy to have a visual tool.
 
Plus, I've never really had a bad recording just using the wave form as a guide. I think you can get away with that with compression more than anything else really. When I'm mixing live I generally use the GR meter to determine how I set the compression.
 
@bitflipper: I haven't checked to see if the "fast bounce" setting is on or off. I'll see whether or not it is next time I have the system in front of me.

I like to examine waveforms, too. But I'm more likely to freeze a track than to use Apply Audio Effects or even waveform preview. Freezing gives you the same benefits (seeing the effected waveform, saving system resources, not waiting for samples to load) but un-do is much more convenient.

I don't normally bounce any tracks. I just export them when I'm done editing. I'm only working with one track usually though.

I use tool copy and process in Wave Lab, It's fast, I don't like the way Sonar's rendering is set up. It often creates a stereo track from a mono. ??  Sonar has very pour wave editing functions. Thank god for Wave Lab.

Cactus Music


I use tool copy and process in Wave Lab, It's fast, I don't like the way Sonar's rendering is set up. It often creates a stereo track from a mono. ??  Sonar has very pour wave editing functions. Thank god for Wave Lab.

We'd rather use the program we spent $1000 on.