Reference Guide

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ReWire
Software Instruments
ReWire
SONAR can send MIDI events to any object in a ReWire client application on as many MIDI
channels as the client application makes available.
ReWire Instruments
ReWire is a technology for transferring audio data between software applications in real time—the
software equivalent of a multi-channel audio cable. ReWire is built on the following cornerstones:
• Real-time audio streaming between applications
• Sample accurate synchronization
• Common transport functionality
SONAR supports the ReWire 2.0 format, but with some differences. SONAR interacts with ReWire
applications in the following ways:
• You can insert one instance of a ReWire application into each SONAR project.
• You can use as many MIDI channels and devices in each ReWire application as that application
makes available.
• You can insert ReWire devices into SONAR projects from the Synth Rack view or Insert menu,
and you can tell SONAR to create the necessary synth tracks and one MIDI track at that time. You
can also tell SONAR to open the ReWire application’s property page, because, unlike synths,
ReWire applications must have their property pages (interfaces) open in order to function.
• SONAR’s tempo, transport, and loop points are linked to the ReWire application. Activating or
changing any of these settings in the ReWire application(s) changes the same setting in SONAR,
and vice versa. If you have several applications open and you make a change in one of them, it
may be necessary to put the focus on the other application(s) to update their interfaces.
• You cannot send patch or bank changes from SONAR to the ReWire application. All other track
property controls in SONAR control the ReWire device, except the pan controls on MIDI tracks.
The pan controls on SONAR’s synth tracks control the ReWire device’s panning.
• You can mix down or bounce ReWire tracks in SONAR the same way you mix down or bounce
synth tracks.
• You can use SONAR’s automation functions on both synth and MIDI tracks that the ReWire
application uses.
• Muting or soloing a synth track that a ReWire device uses automatically mutes or solos the MIDI
track that feeds that synth track. Muting or soloing a MIDI track that a ReWire device uses will
mute or solo the corresponding synth track only if there is only one MIDI track feeding that synth
track.
• You must always close your ReWire application(s) before you close SONAR. Some ReWire
applications prevent SONAR from closing properly if the ReWire applications are still open.
For step-by-step procedures, see: