Preparing audio for distribution

The File > Export Audio command exports your project as a new file or files that you can burn to a CD, or distribute via the Web or email. In addition, SONAR Producer allows you to export surround-encoded files (see Exporting surround mixes). The following export formats are supported:

Table 170.  

Format	Definition
Wave (surround files in Wave format are supported by SONAR Producer only)	The standard digital audio format used under Windows for burning CDs, with a file extension of .wav.
Sony Wave64	The Sony Wave64 file format is similar to the RIFF format, but is a true 64-bit file format designed to overcome the size limitations of the RIFF format.
Windows Media Advanced Streaming Format (includes Windows Media Pro; surround files are supported by SONAR Producer only)	Compressed digital audio for streaming over the Internet, with the file extension .wma.
MP3	Highly compressed digital audio designed for quick downloads via the Internet, with the file extension .mp3. The MP3 encoder that comes with SONAR is a trial version which will time-out. The full version is available for download at www.cakewalk.com.
Apple AIFF	Audio Interchange File Format, co-developed by Apple Inc., is most commonly used on Apple Macintosh computer systems. The file extension is .aif.
NeXT/Sun	Au is the standard audio file format used by Sun, Unix and Java. The audio in au files can be 8-bit or 16-bit PCM or compressed with the µLaw, alaw or G729 codecs. The file extension is .au.
FLAC	FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, which is somewhat similar to MP3, but lossless. Audio in a FLAC file is compressed without any loss in quality. The file extension is .flac.
Sound Designer II	Sound Designer II is the native format of DigiDesign’s Sound Designer pro audio software and is also used natively by Macromedia DECK II and many applications. SD2 files be mono or interleaved stereo and the file extension is .sd2.
Core Audio Format	Core Audio Format is a new 64-bit audio format supported natively in Mac OS X, and is also used by QuickTime 7. Audio in Core Audio Format files can be uncompressed PCM or compressed (such as AAC). The file extension is .caf.
RAW	Rarely used, a RAW file can contain audio in any codec but is usually used with PCM audio data.
OMF	The Open Media Format, created by AVID Technology, is designed to port a project to other applications or platforms. OMF files preserve tracks, clip positions, slip edits and some other project attributes depending on which application is writing or reading the OMF file.

If your audio hardware is configured for stereo playback, Wave files are created in stereo; if your audio hardware is configured for monophonic playback, the Wave file is created in mono.

Cakewalk External Encoder Config utility

SONAR supports external command-line encoders, such as LAME, Ogg Vorbis, Monkey's Audio, etc. If an external command-line encoder is installed on your machine, the 'Cakewalk External Encoder Config' utility allows you to add the encoder to SONAR's list of available file formats when exporting audio (File > Export > Audio).

To use the utility, start SONAR and go to Utilities > Cakewalk Ext Encoder Config, then specify the proper settings or the encoder you want to use.

Note: The SONAR DVD includes several pre-defined profiles for various encoders. These profiles can be found in the \Utilities\External Encoder Profiles folder. You can use these profiles as a starting point when creating your own profiles. Simply double-click the appropriate .reg file to add the information to the Windows registry, then use the 'Cakewalk External Encoder Config' utility to specify the correct install path of the encoder.

To export audio to Wave file format

1.	Set all volume, pan, effects, and automation settings just as you want them.

2.	If you only want to mix down parts of tracks, select those clips now. If you don’t select anything, everything is selected.

3.	If you are using effects on the tracks and want to mix the effects down at this time, select the whole length of the longest track or clip plus extra time for the reverb or effects “tail.”

4.	Choose File > Export > Audio to open the Export Audio dialog box.

5.	Select a destination folder using the Look In field.

6.	Enter a file name.

7.	Choose one of the following from the Files of type drop-down list:

Wave. Choose this if you want to export a standard wave file, or if you’re exporting a surround project in wave format.

Broadcast Wave (time-stamped). Choose this if you want to create a Broadcast Wave file (see Broadcast Wave).

8.	In the Source Category field, select one of the following options:

Tracks. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each track that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Buses. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each bus that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Main Outputs. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each main output that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Entire Mix. Choosing this option creates one file for your entire mix, unless you’re exporting a surround mix with Split Mono selected in the Channel Format field.

9.	In the Source Buses/Tracks field, choose the buses or tracks you want to use as a source to create your mix. If you chose Tracks in the Source Category field, only tracks will show up as choices in this field.

10.	In the Channel Format field, select one of the following options:

Stereo. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a stereo file or files.

Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a mono file or files.

Split Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to separate mono files.

Multichannel. All exported tracks are mixed down to a multichannel wave file or files.

11.	Choose the sample rate that you want your exported file to be.

12.

Select the bit depth that you want the exported file to use. If your source file is 16 and you export to 24, you get more precision for any audio effects in the mix (and a larger file). If your source file is 24 and you export to 16, you lose some sound definition, but you get some of it back if the Dithering option is on in the Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording dialog box (see Dithering for more information).

13.	In the Mix Enables field, choose the elements you want to include in the mixdown. If you want to exclude muted tracks and/or include only soloed tracks, make sure Track Mute/Solo is checked.

Note 1: If you have patched a synth into a track or bus, make sure you check Track FX to include synths that are patched into tracks, and check Bus Returns to include synths that are patched into buses.

Note 2: If you don’t check Track Automation. any initial volume and pan settings in an exported track are ignored and the track’s audio data will be exported at the level that exists in the track, with pan set to center. If you don’t check Clip Automation, any trim settings are ignored during export. If you don’t check Master Automation, any volume and balance settings at the main outs are ignored.

14.	If you want to save the settings you created in the Export Audio dialog box, type a name for them in the Preset window and then click the floppy disk icon that’s next to the window.

15.	Click Export.

The audio is exported to the Wave file or files.

If you chose Broadcast Wave as the export format, the following information is stored in the file(s):

Description. A brief description of the contents of the Broadcast wave. Limited to 256 characters.

Originator. The author of the Broadcast wave. This information is taken from the Author field in the File Info dialog.

Originator Reference. A unique reference identifier created by SONAR.

Origination Date. The date the file was created.

Origination Time. The time the file was created.

Time Reference. The SMPTE time stamp for the beginning of broadcast wave.

To export a project in Windows Media format

1.	Set all volume, pan, effects, and automation settings just as you want them.

2.	If you only want to mix down parts of tracks, select those clips now.

3.	If you are using effects on the tracks and want to mix the effects down at this time, select the whole length of the longest track or clip plus extra time for the reverb or effects “tail.”

4.	Choose File > Export > Audio to open the Export Audio dialog box.

5.	Select a destination folder using the Look In field.

6.	Enter a file name.

7.	Choose Windows Media Advanced Streaming Format from the Files of type drop-down list.

8.	In the Source Category field, select one of the following options:

Tracks. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each track that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Buses. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each bus that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Main Outputs. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each main output that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Entire Mix. Choosing this option creates one file for your entire mix, unless you’re exporting a surround mix with Split Mono selected in the Channel Format field.

9.	In the Source Buses/Tracks field, choose the buses or tracks you want to use as a source to create your mix. If you chose Tracks in the Source Category field, only tracks will show up as choices in this field.

10.	In the Channel Format field, select one of the following options:

Stereo. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a stereo file or files.

Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a mono file or files.

Split Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to separate mono files.

Multichannel. All exported tracks are mixed down to a multichannel WMA file or files.

11.	Choose the sample rate that you want your exported file to be.

12.

Select the bit depth that you want the exported file to use. If your source file is 16 and you export to 24, you get more precision for any audio effects in the mix (and a larger file). If your source file is 24 and you export to 16, you lose some sound definition, but you get some of it back if the Dithering option is on in the Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording dialog box (see Dithering for more information).

13.	In the Mix Enables field, choose the elements you want to include in the mixdown. If you want to exclude muted tracks and/or include only soloed tracks, make sure Track Mute/Solo is checked.

Note 1: If you have patched a synth into a track or bus, make sure you check Track FX to include synths that are patched into tracks, and check Bus Returns to include synths that are patched into buses.

Note 2: If you don’t check Track Automation. any initial volume and pan settings in an exported track are ignored and the track’s audio data will be exported at the level that exists in the track, with pan set to center. If you don’t check Clip Automation, any trim settings are ignored during export. If you don’t check Master Automation, any volume and balance settings at the main outs are ignored.

14.	If you want to save the settings you created in the Export Audio dialog box, type a name for them in the Preset window and then click the floppy disk icon that’s next to the window.

15.	Click Export.

The Windows Media Format Encode Options dialog box appears.

16.	Select options and click OK.

The audio is compacted and exported to a file or files with the extension .wma.

To export a project in MP3 format

1.	Set all volume, pan, effects, and automation settings just as you want them.

2.	If you only want to mix down parts of tracks, select those clips now.

3.	If you are using effects on the tracks and want to mix the effects down at this time, select the whole length of the longest track or clip plus an extra measure for the reverb or effects “tail.”

4.	Choose File > Export > Audio to open the Export Audio dialog box.

5.	Select a destination folder using the Look In field.

6.	Enter a file name.

7.	Choose MP3 from the Files of type drop-down list.

8.	In the Source Category field, select one of the following options:

Tracks. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each track that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Buses. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each bus that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Main Outputs. Choosing this option creates a separate file for each main output that you select in the Source Buses/Tracks field.

Entire Mix. Choosing this option creates one file for your entire mix.

9.	In the Source Buses/Tracks field, choose the buses or tracks you want to use as a source to create your mix. If you chose Tracks in the Source Category field, only tracks will show up as choices in this field.

10.	In the Channel Format field, select one of the following options:

Stereo. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a stereo file or files.

Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to a mono file or files.

Split Mono. All exported tracks and clips are mixed down to separate mono files.

11.	Choose the sample rate that you want your exported file to be.

12.	In the Bit Depth field, select 16. If your source file is 24 and you export to 16, you lose some sound definition, but you get some of it back if the Dithering option is on in the Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording dialog box (see Dithering for more information).

13.	In the Mix Enables field, choose the elements you want to include in the mixdown. If you want to exclude muted tracks and/or include only soloed tracks, make sure Track Mute/Solo is checked.

Note 1: If you have patched a synth into a track or bus, make sure you check Track FX to include synths that are patched into tracks, and check Bus Returns to include synths that are patched into buses.

Note 2: If you don’t check Track Automation. any initial volume and pan settings in an exported track are ignored and the track’s audio data will be exported at the level that exists in the track, with pan set to center. If you don’t check Clip Automation, any trim settings are ignored during export. If you don’t check Master Automation, any volume and balance settings at the main outs are ignored.

14.	If you want to save the settings you created in the Export Audio dialog box, type a name for them in the Preset window and then click the floppy disk icon that’s next to the window.

15.	Click Export.

The Cakewalk MP3 Encoder dialog box appears.

16.	Choose options and click OK.

The audio is compacted and exported to a file or files with the extension .mp3.

Exporting tracks with no selection

If the source category is Tracks when you bounce or export audio with no selection in, each wave file will be exactly the same duration as the original source track.

Encoding options

After clicking the Export button, an additional dialog box will appear showing Extra Encoding Options. These options typically determine the bit depth, endian-ness (the byte ordering in memory used to represent the data), and an encoding type within the major file format.

Figure 300. The Extra Encoding Options dialog

Here is the master list of subformats supported in SONAR:

AIFF (Apple/SGI) (extension “aiff”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

Unsigned 8 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

IMA ADPCM

GSM 6.10

12 bit DWVW

16 bit DWVW

24 bit DWVW

AIFF (Apple/SGI) (extension “aif”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

Unsigned 8 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

IMA ADPCM

GSM 6.10

12 bit DWVW

16 bit DWVW

24 bit DWVW

AU (Sun/NeXT) (extension “au”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

32kbs G721 ADPCM

24kbs G723 ADPCM

CAF (Apple Core Audio File) (extension “caf”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

FLAC (FLAC Lossless Audio Codec) (extension “flac”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

RAW (Headerless audio file) (extension “raw”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

Unsigned 8 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

SD2 (Sound Designer II) (extension “sd2”)

Signed 8 bit PCM

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

W64 (Sony Wave-64) (extension “w64”)

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

Unsigned 8 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

IMA ADPCM

Microsoft ADPCM

GSM 6.10

WAV (Microsoft) (extension “wav”)

Signed 16 bit PCM

Signed 24 bit PCM

Signed 32 bit PCM

Unsigned 8 bit PCM

32 bit float

64 bit float

U-Law

A-Law

IMA ADPCM

Microsoft ADPCM

GSM 6.10

32kbs G721 ADPCM