Reference Guide

ManualsBrandsCakewalk ManualsSoftwareCakewalk Sonar - 8.5

621

622

623

624

625

626

627

628

629

630

621

Using Real-Time Effects

Mixing

Using Real-Time Effects

In the Console view and Track view, you can use plug-in effects non-destructively, in real time (to

apply effects offline, see “Applying Audio Effects” on page 656). You can also hear your plug-in

effects in real time on any live instruments you are recording—just make sure Input Monitoring is

enabled (see “Input Monitoring” on page 258). You can also insert effects directly on clips (see

“Effects on Clips” on page 626).

For example, suppose you want to add a reverb effect to an audio track containing a recorded violin

solo. You could do it in two different ways:

• Destructive. The digital audio data itself is modified. Although this may be exactly what you

want, it does limit your options. If you want to modify the effect parameters slightly or to remove

the effect and try a different effect, you must use the Undo command, or revert to a saved copy of

the original data.

• Non-destructive (real-time). The digital audio data in your track is not changed but simply

altered on the fly during playback. This means you can experiment with effects parameters,

bypass effects, or remove them entirely at any time. Since most effects require complex numeric

calculations, real-time effects processing puts a heavy load on your computer’s CPU. If you use

too many effects, the CPU will not be able to keep up and playback will sound choppy and

disconnected.

You can also apply real-time audio effects to a submix in a bus. For example, rather than patching

separate reverb effects in each of several guitar tracks, you can mix the guitar tracks together in a

bus and apply a single reverb effect to the submix. This makes much more efficient use of CPU time.

Patching effects on a bus also opens up new creative possibilities.

There are several reasons why you might want to apply effects offline (destructively):

• If you want to apply more effects than your CPU can handle, applying some of the effects offline

will reduce CPU usage during playback.

• If you want to apply effects to an individual audio clip, rather than the whole track, it is simpler to

do so using offline effects.

The File > Export > Audio command, allows you to apply real-time effects when you export, so you

do not need to apply your effects destructively or use the Edit > Bounce to Track(s) command to

prepare the tracks beforehand. For information about exporting audio, see “Preparing Audio for

Distribution” on page 669.

All plug-in effects and soft synths have a Preset window you can use to save and recall your favorite

settings for those plug-ins.

See:

Tip:

To show/hide the