Bandlab Cakewalk: Getting Started
If you've ever wanted to record your own songs at home but didn't know where to start, this is the tutorial for you. DAW (digital audio workstation) expert Gary Hiebner takes you on a comprehensive tour of Bandlab's Cakewalk, the powerful full-featured DAW that's 100% free! You'll learn how to set up your audio interface, record audio and MIDI tracks, apply effects (reverb, delay, compression, EQ, etc.), edit your tracks, use automation, and much more! These videos are designed for new Bandlab Cakewalk users.
Videos
• Installing Cakewalk (01:54) - We start off by showing you how to download and install Cakewalk using two different methods.
• Setting Up Devices (02:53) - Next, learn how to setup your audio playback/recording device and MIDI input device.
• Creating a Project & the User Interface (03:54) - We create our first project and show you around the user interface and the different views that can be shown and hidden, as well as the modules that can be used.
• Types of Tracks (04:39) - In this video, Gary covers the different types of tracks that can be added and used in Cakewalk and how to determine the difference between them.
• Recording MIDI (05:54) - Learn how to create instruments tracks and record MIDI to them. We also take a look at how to enable the metronome and change its settings.
• Using the Virtual MIDI Controller (04:35) - In this video, you see how you can use your computer keyboard as a MIDI controller with the virtual MIDI Controller option in Cakewalk. You'll also learn how you can change the velocities of these notes with the Virtual MIDI Controller.
• MIDI Editing (07:02) - Next, we start examining how to edit your MIDI Data. First, you'll see how you can view your MIDI note data in the MIDI Editor window and then how you can edit it with the MIDI editing tools. Plus, we'll discover how to use the Quantize function to tighten up your MIDI note data.
• Different Recording Modes (04:35) - In this video, we take a look at the different recording modes you can use, including Comping, Overwrite, and Sound on Sound. We'll also talk about when is best to use them.
• Editing Velocity & Control Change Data (04:00) - Discover how you can edit your velocity MIDI data and other control change data, such as modulation and pitch. Gary also shows you how to draw in changes to the CC data with th editing tools.
• Recording & Editing Audio (04:59) - In this video, we'll take a look at how to record audio. First, we show you how to setup your inputs correctly, then we record audio clips to the track. Afterwards, you'll see how to edit your audio clips using the edit tools.
• Saving Your Projects (05:28) - This video details how to save your Projects and discusses the different options you have. You'll also see how to include your associated files, such as audio files, with the project.
• Importing Audio (06:59) - Learn how to import audio files into our project and time-stretch them if they're at different tempos than the project tempo.
• Punch-In Recording (03:48) - This video shows you how to punch-in record audio or MIDI. First, you need to set the punch-in locators; then you can playback and punch in at a specific point in the song.
• Loop Recording (03:33) - See how to enable looping and how to set the comping recording mode, which records a new take/clip after each pass.
• Building a Take Comp (03:45) - In this video, we expand on the takes that were created in the previous Loop Recording video, demonstrating how you can build up a composite part from the takes recorded.
• Viewing the Track & Clip Inspectors (06:56) - Here, Gary details the differences between the Track and Clip Inspectors and the information you can find on each.
• Viewing & Using the Pro Channel (01:31) - See how to view an expanded view of the Pro Channel and what other channel strip effects are included within it.
• Mix Console (06:11) - In this video, Gary takes you through the Mix Console, covering all the different sections and also showing how the routing works.
• Effects, Sends & Bus Routing (06:53) - We expand upon the Mix Console by showing how you can add insert effects to your tracks. See how to create a send effect and then send your tracks to it. You'll also learn how you can route your tracks to bus tracks and add effects onto those busses.
• How to Use Automation (07:23) - Learn all about automation in Cakewalk and how it's done. Gary shows you how to set the automation modes to Read and Write and record/write in your own automation. Plus, Gary demonstrates other parameters you can automate.
• External MIDI Controller Automation (03:00) - In this video, you'll see how to use an external MIDI Controller to automate parameters in your project. Gary shows you how to first set up your external MIDI Device and then how you can assign it to parameters in the project.
• Using MIDI Input Quantize (03:16) - Discover how you can use the MIDI Input Quantize function to force your MIDI notes onto a grid value as you record your MIDI performances.
• MIDI Inline Editor (03:22) - See how to view and use the inline MIDI Editor, which makes it very easy to implement quick changes to your MIDI without having to use the MIDI Piano Editor view.
• Using Mix Recall (03:33) - This unique feature to Cakewalk allows you to save different snapshots of your mix settings. You can then quickly switch between these different mix states - very handy when comparing different mixes.
• Markers (03:40) - In this video, Gary shows how you can create markers for the different sections in your song for quick navigation.
• Exporting Your Song (09:27) - Gary finishes off by showing you how to export your song. In the Export Dialog window, there are many options to customize your export, and we go through all the options, so you know what to do in each scenario.