by Guillaume Jeulin
Blue Cat Audio
http://www.bluecataudio.com

This tutorial shows how to use the Peak Meter Pro (DPMP) in Cakewalk Sonar, in order to modify the parameters of an effect on a track according to the envelope of an other track.

Step By Step

01 - Insert the DPMP on the drums track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/01.png

02 - Select the DPMP preset settings in the main menu (right click on the background):
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/02.png

03 - Enable the DPMP Midi output for the transformed peak envelope, and set the CC number:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/03.png

04 - Insert the Stereo Chorus effect in an instrument track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/04.png

05 - Select the chorus presets settings in the main menu:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/05.png

06 - Enable the chorus MIDI input for one or several parameters, and set the MIDI Channel to Omni (0) and the MIDI CC to the same value as for the DPMP output:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/06.png

07 - Insert a MIDI track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/07.png

08 - Setup the MIDI track output to the Stereo Chorus DXi:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/08.png

09 - Setup MIDI track echo on:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/09.png

10 - Open the Options - Global Settings panel:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/10.png

11 - Select \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Echo soft synth input to all MIDI tracks\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' so that the Peak Meter MIDI CC messages are sent to all tracks:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/11.png

12 - Hit Play - the chorus rate slider is now moving with the drum track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/12.png

13 - Hide the RMS curves on the DPMP to monitor only the peaks:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/13.png

14 - Tweak the Amount and offset parameters of the DPMP:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/14.png

15 - Tweak the Chorus MIDI response curve parameters (Min,Max,Response):
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/15.png

16 - Tweak the DPMP MIDI output response:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/16.png

17 - Arm chorus parameters:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/17.png

18 - Select the same parameter(s) you chose to enable in the MIDI input settings:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/18.png

19 - Hit the record automation button:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/19.png

20 - The result is an automation envelope in sync with the drums track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/20.png

21 - You can then assign the automation envelope with any parameter of the track:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/21.png

22 - You can do the same on the DPMP track by directly recording any output parameter:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/22.png

23 - Enjoy:
Image: http://www.musiciantutorials.com/images/blue_cats_digital_peak_meter_pro_in_sonar/23.png

Conclusion
You have learnt how to use the Peak Meter Pro (DPMP) in Cakewalk Sonar: you are now able to perform real time true side chaining on multiple trakcs or record automation curves. This technique can be used for side chain compression, ducking, voice over etc. Experiment with many effect parameters, and do not hesitate to spend some time tweaking the MIDI response curves for an optimal result.

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