Converting MIDI to audio in SONAR 3 P.E.
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Posted on Feb 11, 2005 05:21 pm
mwellborn
Member Since: Feb 11, 2005
Hello all . . . this is my first time at the HRC forums. I'm an amature at this so I hope that someone can point me in the right direction. I have recorded 4 audio tracks and a MIDI drum track. I have read the manual and I think that I have everything set up correctly, but the problem is this. When I try to convert the MIDI to audio by recording to a new audio track, it doesn't record the MIDI track. Here is how I've got it set up if this helps:
audio track - Input: Stereo SB Live! Wave Device
Output: SB Live! Wave Device
MIDI track - Input: SB Live! MIDI UART - Omni
Output: Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth (I am thinking that this may have something to do with it, but it seems to be the only option to choose)
I have adjusted the soundcard's volume and made sure it is selected, but still nothing
Your help is most appreciated!
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Feb 11, 2005 05:33 pm select the whole drum track the go to File < export audio. and save the audio track then import the audio....i think there's a way to do it with out import/exporting but i can't think of it off the top of my head.....something like "bounce audio to clips" ahhhh oh well, the other way will work just fine.
peace
wyd
Feb 11, 2005 05:46 pm Great! Thanks wyd! I'll try that tonight.
Feb 11, 2005 08:14 pm Well, I tried that and it didn't work. I should've known it wouldn't. I don't think MIDI can be "exported" to WAV format. Any other suggestions?
Feb 12, 2005 12:23 pm did you select the whole track, and mute the others? that should work.....when you do that, it writes the audio from the output of the synth to a wav file, i've done it quite a few times.....do a search in the help file for "midi to audio" i wish i had my setup here at work with me, but i don't i'll check tonite and get back to ya.
damn this is buggin' me now
Feb 12, 2005 07:23 pm I selected the whole track and mute all of the others, but it didn't work. I got a bit further today with MIDI to Audio, but here is the problem now. I insert a new audio track, arm that audio track and mute all of the other audio tracks. Then I hit record to capture the MIDI track as audio, and
I see the wave being created in the new audio track, but it's just a flat red line. any suggestions on this?? I feel like I'm getting close, but I also feel a bit dumb. This seems like it should be so simple. BTW, Thanks for brainstorming this with me wyd!
Feb 12, 2005 07:35 pm no prob, and you're not dumb....i know that recording the track as it plays is not a good thing....i'll go home tonite and have a solid answer for ya tommrow i promise.....db where you been all day??
Feb 12, 2005 11:03 pm Thanks SO much wyd! Looking forward to your reply. What an AWESOME forum!!
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Feb 13, 2005 05:12 am I haven't used sonar since XL 2.2 but hope this helps:
MIDI isn't sound just the info on how to generate it using a synth which can be a hardware or software (plug-in) synth.
If you use an hardware synth, you need to route the output of the MIDI track to a synth (via interface and MIDI cables) and then route the ANALOG output of the synth back to an audio track to record the sound you want.
There are some synth plugins that work similarly so you would route the output to a plugin instead of sending the signal out your PC. Some of those plugins can actually render the data without needing to record it.
Feb 13, 2005 05:42 am Thanks for the info el musico! I appreciate your input. Actually, my MIDI track is just SONAR's MIDI drums. So it's not hardware, it's within SONAR. That's why I'm kind of confused about how to convert it to audio.
Feb 13, 2005 01:49 pm got it!!!
mute all unnecessary tracks
goto edit < bounce to tracks
make sure you have a new audio track to bounce it to
peace
wyd
Feb 13, 2005 04:26 pm I tried that, but it gives me a message saying
"The specified selection did not contain any audio data. Please ensure that the selection contains the audio data you wish to bounce."
The problem is, I wish to bounce a MIDI track, not audio data.
I'm totally confused on this one.
Feb 13, 2005 07:58 pm try creating an audio track and choosing the midi as the imput and if there is an option for the drums as an output. usually how vsti's work in sonar, might be the same for the drum map.
Feb 13, 2005 08:24 pm Testudos, I tried what you suggested, but there isn't an option to choose MIDI as th input for an audio track.
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Feb 13, 2005 11:31 pm hey Mwellborn, when you play the track in Sonar can you hear the drums? If you could go over your setup with a little more detail that would be great, like what plugins or virtual synths you be using.
Feb 14, 2005 12:38 am el musico, I have recorded two electric guitar tracks, a bass guitar track, two lead guitar tracks, and a MIDI drum track. The MIDI drums are using my soundcards standard MIDI synth and SONAR 3's Roland GS Drumset. I am not using any plugins or virtual synths, that I am aware of. I am not sure how to describe it any differently as I am quite new to this.
Feb 14, 2005 12:40 am I almost forgot, I CAN hear the drums when I play the MIDI track in SONAR.
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Feb 14, 2005 12:56 am Ok, since you have sound already, try taking the track that you hear the sound coming from and check to see what the output is. if it goes through what your master fader's outputs (or main outs) are then change the output of the track to a bus and create an audio track with it's input being the same bus and record the audio.
If that's not the case then sorry I can't help you out... BUT someone knowledgeable in SONAR should chime in soon...
Feb 14, 2005 02:05 am Here is the way I do it. You mute all tracks but the midi track and the DXI track. Create a new audio track. set it's input to Stereo SB audigy. select none as the new tracks output. Then arm the track and hit the record button. This should start recording the midi signal as an analog wave form.
NOTE: You will need to go into Creative mixer and set the Record function to "What you hear". This will allow the track to record the sound from the card itself. Remember to change that back when your done. Also, turn off all system sounds through your control panel. If any of them go off, they will also get recorded.
After you recorded, set an output for the new track and listen back to it.
Feb 14, 2005 04:17 am philthyone, THANK YOU so much! I did it the way you said to and it worked out perfectly. I can't tell you ALL how much I appreciate your input and help. I will definitely keep watching the HRC Forums for great ideas and tips. And I will absolutely be back to post again. THANKS and keep up the great posting!!
Peace,
Matthew
Feb 14, 2005 10:51 am Glad it worked out for you. Good luck
Feb 14, 2005 12:40 pm glad ya got it...but before posting i tested the bounce to tracks and i did a whole midi song with no audio and it converted the outputs of all the v-synths into a .wav file in a new audio track....you don't hafta listen to the whole thing...it takes less than a minute to convert a whole song....the way ya'll did definately works but i'd be worried about any unnecessary reconverting (DA/AD) in the chain. (but i'm not sure that that's even taking place!)lol somethin' in our setups must be a bit different...ahh well it's good to see a happy ending!
peace
