• V-Studio 700

There are two ways of controlling the Fantom VS from inside of SONAR. It can be controlled via the Fantom VS Editor as a VST instrument or it can be configured simply as an external hardware device and controlled via a MIDI track and an audio track. To configure the Fantom VS solely as a hardware device, you will want to import the Fantom VS Instrument Definitions to make patch selection easier. The steps below will walk you through importing  and configuring the Fantom VS Instrument Definitions for use inside of SONAR.
 
Before proceeding, it is necessary to understand the basic differences in regards to how to configure the Fantom VS inside of SONAR.

 

Section 1 - Understanding the Fantom VS as a VSTi

In the picture above, we have inserted the Fantom VS into SONAR as a Soft Synth using the Insert | Soft Synths command.

Track 1, our synth track, contains an audio input and an audio output. Note that the input of this track is assigned to "Fantom VS 1 Primary Output: Stereo" which is the audio output from our Fantom VS VSTi.

Track 2, our MIDI track, contains a MIDI input and a MIDI output. Note that the output of this track is assigned to "3-Fantom VS 1" which is the MIDI input to our Fantom VS VSTi.

When configuring the Fantom VS using this method, we record MIDI data to the track. To convert this data to audio, you will need to freeze the track afterwards by clicking on the "Freeze Synth" icon.

Section 2 - Understanding the Fantom VS as an External Hardware Device

In the picture above, we have NOT inserted the Fantom VS into SONAR as a Soft Synth. Instead, we have created both an audio track and a MIDI track.

Track 1, our audio track, has its input assigned to "Stereo VS-700 FANTOM VS". This is our physical audio driver to the Fantom VS. If this option is not available,please enable it by going to Options | Audio and on the Drivers Tab making sure it is selected under Inputs.

Track 2, our MIDI track, has its output assigned to "2-FANTOM VS(VS-700)". This is our physical MIDI driver to the Fantom VS. If this option is not available, please enable it by going to Options | MIDI Devices and enabling "FANTOM VS (VS-700)" under both Inputs and Outputs.

When configuring the Fantom VS using this method, you can record both audio and MIDI data simultaneously to your tracks by arming them for recording. Please note that you will need both tracks to be set to "Input Echo: On" for you to hear playback from the Fantom VS.
 

Section 3 - Downloading the Fantom VS Instrument Definitions:

1. Download the instrument definitions from here.
2. Right-click on the downloaded FantomVS_InstrumentDefinitions.zip folder and select "Extract..."
3. Place the contained files Fantom-VS_Patch.ins and Fantom-VS_Rhythm.ins into a permanent location on your computer. You can place these files where ever you would like but the default location for this would be:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Cakewalk\SONAR 8.5 Producer (Sample Content)

or

C:\ProgramData\Cakewalk\SONAR 8.5 Producer (Sample Content)

Section 4 - Importing the Instrument Definitions into SONAR

1. In SONAR, go to Options | Instruments to display the Assign Instruments dialog box.
2. Click [Define] to display the Define Instruments and Names dialog box.
3. Click [Import] to display the Import Instrument Definitions dialog box.
4. Navigate to the folder where you saved the  Fantom-VS_Patch.ins file. Select it and click [Open].
5. On the Import Instrument Definitions screen, highlight "Roland Fantom VS:Patch" and click [OK].
6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for Fantom-VS_Rhythm.ins
7. Click [Close] to close the Define Instruments and Names dialog box.

"Roland Fantom VS:Patch" and "Roland Fantom VS:Rhythm" should now appear in the Uses Instrument list in the Assign Instruments dialog box.

Section 5 - Assigning the Instrument Definitions to the Fantom VS MIDI Outputs and Channels

1. In SONAR, go to Options | Instruments to display the Assign Instruments dialog box.

1. Select one or more of the FANTOM VS (VS-700) MIDI outputs and channels from the Output/Channel list (use SHIFT-click and CTRL-click to select multiple outputs and channels). You can also drag through a bunch of channels to select them. For example, if you want to assign the first 8 MIDI channels of the Fantom VS to "Roland Fantom VS:Patch", drag through the first 8 items in the Output/Channel list to select them.
2. Choose the instrument definition to which the selected outputs and channels should be assigned from the Uses Instrument list. Once again, if you are assigning the Outputs/Channels to "Roland Fantom VS:Patch", then select it under the Uses Instruments field. A black line connects the two lists.
3. Repeat the same steps to assign which Outputs/Channels you wish to assign to "Roland Fantom VS:Rhythm". To save these changes permanently, check the Save Changes for Next Session box.
4. Click [OK] to apply your changes.

 
From now on, the bank, patch, controller and note names from the Fantom VS will appear in SONAR on any MIDI track that has its output assigned to the FANTOM VS (VS-700) MIDI output.