Using Multiple SS2 Channels in Sonar 7

[Rycast]

Okay, I've been trying to figure this out for way too long. I'm still kinda new when it comes to Sonar and VST plug-ins...

I don't know how to use multiple channels in Sonik Synth 2 when using Sonar 7! It seems like it should be so easy, and it sounds so easy, but it just won't work for me. Maybe I'm doing something really dumb and just can't see it.

I looked it up on IK's site and found this:

"To use multiple MIDI channels in Sonik Synth™ 2 in Sonar 6, just follow these simple steps:

In Sonik Synth™ 2, select another instrument for part 2. In Sonar 6, go to: Insert \ MIDI tracks.
From the MIDI track's Output (below the fader) select "Sonik Synth 2", and from its CH (channel) drop down menu; select your desired Sonik Synth™ 2 channel."

But when I go to a MIDI track's output, all I see available for Sonik Synth 2 is "2-Sonik Synth 2 1" - which is obviously the first channel. The other channels aren't there, and there is no drop down menu.

When inserting Sonik Synth 2 as a soft synth in Sonar, I have tried creating tracks using just "First Synth Audio Output" as well as "All Synth Audio Outputs: Stereo" (I thought maybe the latter would fix the problem). But either way, it doesn't give me any more options when I go to a MIDI track and go to output... The only SS2 output available is just "2-Sonik Synth 2 1."

Well, wait a second... I just tried a different drop-down box, under the fader (it doesn't say "output" when I scroll over it like the other one does, though), and it has options for the different channels. However, it doesn't matter which one I pick, it still just plays channel one...

Let me show you some screenshots of what I'm talking about...

In these screenshots, I inserted SS2 into Sonar and made tracks for "All Synth Audio Outputs: Stereo." Sorry for the big images.





Hopefully I'm just being really stupid. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[whyterabbyt]

From your Sonar screenshot, you have a Custom view of the track settings, which is why you cant see the channel dropdown. Change that to 'All' (or 'IO') in the tabs at the bottom-left of your Sonar window (you can see the Custom tab highlighted in white below your MIDI track).

Now drag the lower edge of your MIDI track downwards, and you'll see the 'CH' channel dropdown for the MIDI track.

[harmony gardens]

In addition to what whyter talked about, you should know you are loading all possible audio outputs in your project.

When loading a Sampletank GUI, (this includes all the ST engine products, including SS2) from the synth rack in Sonar, some things are automated, and a few important thing aren't. When you load your Softsynth, you are given the option to load a single audio track, or all synths stereo or all synths mono.

The number of audio tracks the synth rack creates under "all", is set in the SS2 preferences. There is a line with a little triangle that you slide right or left to select the number of audio tracks that Sonar will create when you select all. After you make this setting, the next time you insert SS2, it will create the number of audio tracks you set there.

You need to set the audio output in SS2 manually to route the output of that sound to the audio track you want it to go to. In your example, if you want Bright Pro V... to go to Sonik Synth 2 2, you need to manually change the output in the SS2 GUI from 1+2, to 3+4. To route Nylonix to your SS 2 3, you need to change the output in the SS2 GUI from 1+2, to 5+6. The way it is set now, all your sounds are being routed to one audio track, which is Sonik Synth 2 1 Stereo.

Now let's talk about the MIDI tracks a second. No matter how many audio tracks you tell Sonar to create on loading, it only sets up one MIDI track. You need to create your own MIDI track for each channel you want to use. This is a Sonar thing, not sure if the same applies to other hosts. Anyway, it's a fact of life, so we deal with it.

Let's set up a MIDI track for your Bright Pro V... in channel 2 with the audio to your second audio track.

Right click in the Track Pane in Sonar and insert a MIDI track. Click on the All Tab, as Whyter suggested, and widen the track so you can see all routing options. In the Input dropdown, you would select the option for your MIDI controller. The Output you would route to Sonik Synth 2 Sonik Synth 2 2 Stereo. Set the CH dropdown to 2:Sonik Synth 2. Now go to the SS2 GUI and set the output of Bright Pro V to 3+4. This will route that sound's output to your second audio track.

Using the multiple audio does complicate the set up a bit, but it offers a lot more flexablility. While you're still getting used to the way things work, it can be simpler to select "first synth audio output" when loading it from the synth rack. You can tackle the multiple audio outputs once you get the MIDI routing down.

[Rycast]

Wow, I wish I had come on here and asked earlier! I've got it working beautifully now - THANK YOU BOTH!!!

I also see what you mean about the audio track outputs - the 1+2, 3+4, etc... but I don't really get why you would want to route the audio coming from an SS2 channel into a Sonar audio track. Isn't SS2 only useful for using MIDI tracks? What would be the point of routing it into an audio track - since it's a softsynth, you couldn't record the audio without MIDI input, right?

Well, for my uses, using the channel drop-down in the MIDI tracks works like a charm. I hadn't realized there were "output" and "channel" drop-down menus.

Again, thanks a lot, both of you!

[whyterabbyt]

I don't really get why you would want to route the audio coming from an SS2 channel into a Sonar audio track.

primarily, for processing with other plugins...

Isn't SS2 only useful for using MIDI tracks?

What would be the point of routing it into an audio track - since it's a softsynth, you couldn't record the audio without MIDI input, right?

audio tracks in sonar dont just 'contain' audio clips, they also serve like mixer channels for audio (from softsynths, or even live audio) giving you all the mixing console -style features like plugin insert points, panning, EQ, bussing et.c.