Guitar Gear Forum

I can't figure out how to record a VST to an audio track I see a "bounce to" option, nothing I try works....now I know why I don't like PC based recording, the learning curve just kills me.

Post up a pic of your screen. I don't understand what you're trying to do.....are you trying to use a virtual amp and record it onto a track or is it something else?

I use X3


What you're trying to do is really easy:

1- right click in the effects section of an audio track
2- choose load VST and pick the VST you want to use
3-create a MIDI track
4- set the output of your MIDI track to the audio track your VST is loaded in
5- arm both tracks for recording

Done. Some VSTs will even do steps 3/4 automatically upon loading. Either way, it's super simple.

Thanks man, I'll give that a try and see how it goes!! Stupid question though; why can't I simply record the sound directly to an audio track? I guess I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the signal paths...

Do you want to record an audio track and use a VST effect on it, or are you using a VST virtual instrument (like drum or synth software)?

If you're using a virtual instrument then do what Billy said. If you want to use a VST audio plugin on recorded audio, then you load the plugin as an Insert on that track (or it might just be under "Effects" -- I haven't used Sonar since 8.5 but I think they used the term "Effects" rather than "Inserts"). You'll be recording the dry signal but your computer will process the effect as you're monitoring and/or playing back the track. If you want to write the processed signal to disk then you may have to look for "Freeze", "Render", or "Bounce" options for that track.

Markdude wrote:Do you want to record an audio track and use a VST effect on it, or are you using a VST virtual instrument (like drum or synth software)?

If you're using a virtual instrument then do what Billy said. If you want to use a VST audio plugin on recorded audio, then you load the plugin as an Insert on that track (or it might just be under "Effects" -- I haven't used Sonar since 8.5 but I think they used the term "Effects" rather than "Inserts"). You'll be recording the dry signal but your computer will process the effect as you're monitoring and/or playing back the track. If you want to write the processed signal to disk then you may have to look for "Freeze", "Render", or "Bounce" options for that track.

that's correct. I assumed you were talking about a VST instrument....

You can also Freeze the VSTI and it creates wave files. Also saves CPU resources. When you need to make changes, unfreeze the plugin, correct and then refreeze. Freeze is indicated by the asterisk in the Synth Rack.

Others still like to bounce things down, but Sonar offered better freeze options since X1. I use it quite often rather than bouncing.