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Note: The core Cakewalk installer does not include all available software instruments. Please download and install the optional instruments via Help > Check for Updates.
Figure 347. Synth Rack.
A. Insert Synth B. Delete Synth C. Synth Properties D. Synth Settings menu E. Insert Synth F. Dock/undock G. Docking options H. Expand/collapse I. Instrument list J. Synth Automation menu
Figure 348. Synth control bar.
A. Connect/disconnect (only when floating or docked at top or in the MultiDock) B. Synth name C. Preset picker D. Mute E. Solo F. Freeze/unfreeze G. Automated knobs H. Synth icon I. Automation track J. Automation Read K. Automation Write L. Assign Controls M. Show/Hide Assigned Controls
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Synth Settings menu. The Synth Settings menu lets you insert, delete and freeze the selected soft synth, and specify other related options. The menu contains the following commands:
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Insert Synth Options. Opens the Insert Soft Synth Options dialog box (see Insert Soft Synth Options dialog), which lets you specify what happens when you insert a new soft synth.
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Synth Properties. Opens the user interface for the selected soft synth. You can also double-click an empty space in the synth’s Synth Rack row to open the synths user interface.
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Replace Synth. This submenu lets you replace the selected synth with any other available synth.
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Delete Synth. Deletes the selected soft synth or ReWire device from the current project.
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Synth Connected. Connect/disconnect the selected synth, mute all tracks associated with it, and free up memory and CPU cycles.
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Enable MIDI Output. If the selected soft synth can create MIDI data from built-in arpeggiators or other components, select Enable MIDI Output if you want to record or redirect this new MIDI data.
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Unload Synths on Disconnect. When this option is selected, you can freeze a soft synth or disconnect the synth in the Synth Rack view and free up the memory that the synth was using. With some synths this can be a lot of memory, especially with synths that use samples. Of course, if you remove the synth from your computer’s memory, reconnecting or unfreezing the synth will take the same amount of time that it did when you originally loaded the synth.
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Force MIDI Echo Through Current Track. Select this option to force incoming MIDI data to always echo through the current track, even if the current track’s Input Echo button is in the Off position, and regardless of which synth has focus in the Synth Rack.
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Show Synth Icons. Show/hide synth icons in the Synth Rack.
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Enable Smart Mute. When this option is disabled, you can individually mute individual split MIDI/audio tracks for soft synths.
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Insert Synth . Insert a new soft synth.
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Insert Synths. This submenu lists all available soft synths. Click the desired soft synth to insert it in the current project and add an Instrument track. You can also preview MIDI files through any active soft synth in the Media Browser.
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Insert Synths > Plug-in Layouts > Manage Layouts. Opens Cakewalk Plug-in Manager, which lets you create, delete, and edit plug-in layouts.
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Insert Synths > Plug-in Layouts > <list of layouts>. The Plug-in Layout menu lists all layouts stored by Cakewalk Plug-in Manager. Select a layout to change the plug-in list.
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Insert ReWire Devices. This submenu lists all available ReWire devices. Click the desired ReWire device to insert it in the current project and add an Instrument track. You can also preview MIDI files through any active ReWire device in the Media Browser.
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Delete Synth . Delete the selected soft synth.
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Insert Synth Options . Open the Insert Soft Synth Options dialog box, which lets you specify options for new soft synths.
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Synth Automation menu. The Synth Automation menu lets you specify on which track to display and record automation data for the selected soft synth.
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<name of track synth was created with>. By default, automation data is displayed and recorded on the track the soft synth was created with.
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Audio Tracks. This submenu lets you choose any available track in the project to record and display the selected synth’s automation data on.
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Instrument list. Each inserted instrument in a project appears in the Instrument list, and shows the following controls:
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Connect/disconnect. Disconnect a synth, mute all tracks associated with it, and free up memory and CPU cycles.
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Synth icon. The synth icon provides a graphic representation of the soft synth. You can right-click the icon to manage the assigned icon. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Synth name. The default name of the soft synth. To rename the synth, double-click the name, type the desired name and press ENTER.
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Preset picker. The preset picker lets you select any available preset for the soft synth. When the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock, you can also click the left/right arrows to step through the available presets.
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Automation. The Automation list lets you specify on which track to display and record automation data for the soft synth. This list is identical to the Synth Automation menu at the top of the Synth Rack. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Mute. Mute/unmute the synth, and all tracks associated with this instance of the synth.
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Solo. Solo/unsolo the synth, and all tracks associated with this instance of the synth.
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Freeze/unfreeze . Right-click the Freeze Synth button to access various freeze options on a pop-up menu.
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Freeze Synth. Freeze the soft synth.
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Unfreeze Synth. Unfreeze the soft synth.
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Quick Unfreeze Synth. Quick unfreeze the soft synth.
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Freeze Options. Open the Freeze Options dialog box, which lets you specify what happens when you freeze a synth.
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Quick unfreeze / refreeze synth. Quick unfreeze/refreeze the soft synth. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock. You can also hold down the SHIFT key and click the Freeze Synth button to perform Quick unfreeze / refreeze.
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Read. Enable/disable automation read for the soft synth. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Write. Enable/disable automation write for the soft synth. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Assign Controls. Lets you choose which parameters in the synth’s interface to create control knobs for. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Show/Hide Assign Controls. Show/hide any automated knobs you have created with the Assign Controls command. This control is only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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Automated knobs. These are knobs you create by using the Assigned Controls button. The knobs are displayed below the synth’s control bar in the Synth Rack. Automated knobs are only available when the Synth Rack is undocked or docked in the MultiDock.
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