Reference Guide

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Audio effects (audio plug-ins)
Editing audio
Audio effects (audio plug-ins)
SONAR provides the ability to use plug-in audio effects. Some audio plug-in effects are supplied with
SONAR. Others can be purchased from third-party software manufacturers, and appear
automatically in SONAR’s menus once they are installed on your system. If you need help when
using a plug-in, press the F1 key on your computer keyboard to open the plug-in’s help file. Please
note that third-party plug-ins may not have a help file.
For a list of all included plug-ins, see “Included plug-ins” on page 1341.
Using plug-in effects is similar to using the audio processing commands off-line. The overall
procedure is as follows:
• In the Track view, Track Inspector or Console view, right-click the effects bin and select an effect
from the pop-up menu.
• Set effect parameters (or select a preset).
• Listen to the track and adjust parameters based on what you hear.
You can add audio effects, like MIDI effects, to audio tracks in real time (during playback) in the
Console and Track views. Unlike some of the audio processing discussed so far, using effects in real
time is non-destructive. This means that the audio clip data itself is not modified, and no new audio
files are created. For more information about real-time effects, see “Mixing” on page 829.
See:
“Real-time audio effects processing” on page 797
“Destructive audio effects processing” on page 798
Real-time audio effects processing
From the Console and Track views you can destructively apply audio effects for one or more tracks.
When you are pleased with the audio effects you have patched into a track, you can apply the effects
to the track. Destructively applying effects to a track saves resources, allowing you to include
additional tracks and/or effects.
Note: SONAR X2 Producer and Studio can use unlimited plug-ins. SONAR X2 Essential can
use up to 64 plug-in effects and 16 software instruments.
Note: Off-line effects may cause your audio clips to grow in length. For example, when you apply
reverb, your clip may need to lengthen to accommodate the sound of the reverberation. The
additional sound that an effect produces from a clip is called an effects tail.