Working with Software
Synthesizer
You can use a variety of software synthesizer formats with SONAR™, including
DXi’s, VSTi’s, ReWire instruments, SoundFonts, and stand-alone soft synths.
SONAR includes the Cyclone DXi, which allows you to stack up to 16 ACIDized
loop tracks side-by-side for editing with automatic tempo synchronization (see the
Cyclone topics in the online help). A software synthesizer is a software program
that produces various sounds through your sound card when the soft synth
program receives MIDI data from a MIDI controller or sequencer program. DX
Instruments, or DXi's, are a plug-in form of software synthesizer designed for
responsive, low-latency performance on the Windows platform. Some DXi's can be
programmed to generate rhythmic patterns and do not require MIDI input from
SONAR. You can control and play DXi's in real time using their internal interface
or external MIDI devices like keyboards, guitar synths, or wind controllers. You
can automate the controls of some DXi’s. Some DXi's are used as MIDI-controlled
audio processors, such as vocoders, intelligent pitch shifters, or tempo-based
delays. You can patch plug-in effects to DXi tracks.
You can now use VST Instruments and effects with SONAR, using the included
VST Adapter, which runs when you install SONAR. You can run it manually when
you get new VST plug-ins (see “Using VST Synths and Plug-ins” on page 417).
SONAR has a Synth Rack view to make inserting a DXi or ReWire instrument
into a one-step process, and to make viewing and configuring these instruments
simple. SONAR also supports multi-port DXi’s, which allow you to use different
audio tracks and effects for each patch or group of patches in a multi-timbral,
multi-port DXi.
In This Chapter
Kinds of Soft Synths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Synth Rack View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
DX Instruments (DXi’s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
ReWire Instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Stand-alone Synths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Using VST Synths and Plug-ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
10
To Next Page
Loading...