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“Cannot open MASTER.INS. No instrument definitions will be available” message when opening Cakewalk

You may get a “Cannot open MASTER.INS. No instrument definitions will be available” message when opening Cakewalk for the first time.

The Master.ins file is used by Cakewalk to store instrument definitions for any hardware synthesizers you may own, but the file is not required for Cakewalk's operation. The file simply allows you to see banks and programs by name in Cakewalk.

To re-generate the Master.ins file, do the following:

1.

Hold down the SHIFT key when you start Cakewalk.

The following message appears: “Cakewalk will now personalize your user settings...”

2.

Click OK.

Cakewalk copies over the Master.ins file behind the scenes and you will no longer receive this message.

For more information about instrument definitions, see Instrument definitions.

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