Importing instrument definitions

When you install SONAR, a few common instrument definitions are already set up for you and ready to use. SONAR also includes several hundred additional instrument definitions that you can import.

These instrument definitions are stored in text files in your SONAR folder, organized largely by manufacturer. For example, all the instrument definitions for Roland gear are stored in the Roland.ins file; all the instrument definitions for Yamaha gear are stored in the Yamaha.ins file. The Misc.ins file contains miscellaneous instrument definitions.

If SONAR does not include an instrument definition for your MIDI instrument, you can find additional and updated instrument definitions on the Downloads section of the Cakewalk website (www.cakewalk.com). Simply download the files to your SONAR folder, unzip if necessary, and import the instrument definitions as described in To import instrument definitions.

When you import an instrument definition, it is added to the master instrument definition file Master.ins. The contents of this file determines the list of instruments that appear in the Assign Instruments dialog box.

To import instrument definitions

1.	Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI - Instruments.

2.	Click Define to display the Define Instruments and Names dialog box.

3.	Click Import to display the Import Instrument Definitions dialog box.

4.	Choose the file that contains instrument definitions for your manufacturer, and click Open. SONAR displays a list of all the instrument definitions in the file.

5.	Choose one or more instruments from the list, and click OK.

6.	Click Close to close the Define Instruments and Names dialog box.

The instrument definitions you imported should now appear in the Uses Instrument list in the Assign Instruments dialog box.

 

See also:

Creating instrument definitions

To create a new instrument

To rename an instrument

To add a bank or change the patch names for a bank

To create and edit name lists