Templates

Template files make it easy to create new projects with certain predefined settings. To create a template file, create a new project file and arrange the project settings the way you want, then save the project as a template file. Template files have a file extension of .cwt. When you create a new project, you can use the template as the basis for the new project. SONAR looks for template files in a particular folder on your hard disk. By default, this folder is the program folder. To change the template directory, go to Edit > Preferences > File - Folder Locations.

Every time you start SONAR, a default template named Basic.cwt is loaded. If you want, you can modify the Basic.cwt template to suit your needs, or specify any other template as the default template (see To specify the default project template). If you do not want to automatically load a default template, go to Edit > Preferences > File - Advanced and clear the On Startup Load Default Template check box.

As a rule, any parameter that is saved in a project file is also saved in a template file. Following are some useful parameters that are saved in template files:

Track configuration and track parameters

Timebase

Sysx banks

File information and comments

Tempo settings

Meter and key settings

Clock and synchronization information

MIDI data

MIDI In/Out/Thru settings

MIDI metronome settings

Selection start and end times

Record mode and punch-in times

Drum maps

Audio data

Automation

The following parameters are saved globally and are not stored in template or project files:

Initialization file parameters

Big Time font settings

MIDI device settings

Instrument definitions

Autosave options

Key bindings

Color settings

To create a template

1.	Create a new file using the File > New command.

2.	Add tracks.

3.	Set one or more parameters to be the way you want.

4.	Choose File > Save As to display the Save As dialog box.

5.	Choose Template from the Save as Type list.

6.	Enter a template file name and click Save.

SONAR saves the template file.

To create a new project from a template

1.	Choose File > New to display the New Project File dialog box. The list contains the names of all existing templates.

2.	Choose a template from the list.

3.

Click OK.

SONAR creates the new project and displays it in the Track view.

To specify the default project template

There are two ways to specify the default project template:

From the Start Screen:

1.	Use the File > Start Screen command to open the Start Screen.

2.	Click New Project to see a list of available project templates.

3.	Point to a template and click the star icon.

From the New Project File dialog box:

1.	Use the File > New command to open the New Project File dialog box.

2.	Select the desired template, then click Set as Default Template.

The default template is indicated by an asterisk.

The default template is used in the following situations:

When you launch SONAR while the On Startup Load Default Template global option is enabled in Edit > Preferences > File - Advanced.

When you press CTRL+N to start a new project.

The default template is pinned in the Start Screen, and shows an asterisk in the New Project File dialog box.

 

See also:

Template example: three MIDI instruments

Screensets

Templates

Start Screen