Using MIDI Effects in Cakewalk 8.0x and 9.0

MIDI effects work in the same manner as audio effects. You can use them in real time as Console view Track Inserts, or as offline commands.

To use the MIDI effects in real time:

1. Open a MIDI sequence.
2. Click on the View menu and select Console.
3. Move your mouse cursor to a MIDI track in the Console view. At the top on the MIDI tracks will be a blank box, called a patch point, where you can insert the real time effects. Use the mouse to Right-click the patch point and select Cakewalk FX to see a list of available real time MIDI Effects.
4. Double-click on the effect to open a detailed effect parameter window. Adjust the settings to your liking, then press Cakewalk's Play button to hear the effect working in real time. A detailed explanation of each setting is available on page 6-50 of your Cakewalk Pro Audio User's Guide, or in your Help file.
5. Real time MIDI effects are non-destructive. You may delete the MIDI plug-in at any time and hear the track play as it was originally recorded.

To use the MIDI effects on input:

You can also use the effects on input before recording or while recording a track in Cakewalk.

1. Setup the effect in the same way as you did for real time playback.
2. Select a MIDI source in the track where the MIDI plug-in is assigned.
3. Play your MIDI instrument. You will hear the effect as you play.

Applying the effects offline:

1. You can also apply the effects offline if you want to destructively edit your MIDI track. Using a MIDI effect in this way means the result of the effect will be written to the MIDI track you are working with, altering the original recording.
2. To do this, select the MIDI notes you want to edit. For instance, highlight a MIDI clip in the Track view's Clips Pane.
3. Open the Edit menu and select MIDI Effects.
4. Pick the effect you want to use.
5. Change the parameters to fit your needs and press OK. Now the effect will be applied and the track will be physically altered. If you don't like the result, you may select Edit | Undo or Ctrl + Z to undo the effect.

NOTE: If you use either the Echo or Arpeggiator effect, the clip will become longer due to the additional MIDI notes placed into the clip by the plug-in.

Back to Lessons