Sonar 8, Absynth and Guitar Rig 3

Riaan

So I've been making some progress with the software, after some initial frustration due to the fact that I didn't know what the hell I was doing.... :-[....actually I still don't know, but at least I've figured out the I/O thing, I'm able to record audio and softsynths (mostly Absynth). I'm nowhere near using Fx sends, stereo busses and any of these other weird and wonderful things...
All my software however are demo models - I have about 25 days of Sonar 8 left, and Guitar Rig and Absynth work for 30 minutes at a time only. That's OK for now, I'll buy the full versions when I can.
However, I noticed that after saving a project, Absynth's sound has changed when I reopen the file. What once was strings, for instance, is now a kind of generic sound and has to be changed back to strings. Is this because of the fact that I'm using demo sofware?
And what about the Microsoft GS Wavetable thing? Should it be used at all? It seems to me that I have terrible latency with that, and no noticable latency with the softsynth plugins.
Also, when I use Guitar Rig as a standalone, it sounds great. When used as a plugin in Sonar however, it's not that great - just not the same tone. Why would that be?

Gearhead

Maybe the plugin does not get the same processor time or memory the standalone does? Have you tried using the standalone with another (busy!) program running in the background? Does Sonar have settings for plugin resources?

Renesongs

Sonar is a memory hog I use reaper if I need to use more than 2 plugins ( Im running a P4 1 Gb Ram) I use Reaper because it does not eat memory and it remembers exactly how you set up your plugins unlike sonar where you have to write in all the parameter controls as midi messages. Don't use the M$ GS Synth together with Absynth M$ has latency issues so it can only be effectvly used alone without any other synths about.

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan wrote: However, I noticed that after saving a project, Absynth's sound has changed when I reopen the file. What once was strings, for instance, is now a kind of generic sound and has to be changed back to strings. Is this because of the fact that I'm using demo sofware?

I don't get this behaviour with registered versions of Sonar and Absynth - it definitely remembers all settings for the softsynths.. NI demo software often has restrictions on saving any settings, so it's quite likely to be the case here.

And what about the Microsoft GS Wavetable thing? Should it be used at all? It seems to me that I have terrible latency with that, and no noticable latency with the softsynth plugins.

Run away! ? Does your version of Sonar have the TTS-1 softsynth - that is the GM softsynth (actually a repackaged Edirol SoundCanvas) and is far better than the M$oft one.

Also, when I use Guitar Rig as a standalone, it sounds great. When used as a plugin in Sonar however, it's not that great - just not the same tone. Why would that be?

Make sure you don't have other effects on the track (including EQ in the mixer view) or any buses the track is routed through. Also make sure that GR is getting a decent input level.

AndyInnes

Same here - running Sonar 8 and NI Komplete 5 - no problems - settings always come back up without any issues.