Cakewalk by BandLab Tutorial (Part 4) – Virtual Instruments for MIDI

Summary

This video tutorial offers a detailed guide to the virtual instruments available in Cakewalk by BandLab. It covers a range of instruments, including bass guitar, drum kit, electric piano, and strings, while explaining their key features, controls, and customization options. Viewers learn how to adjust settings like tuning, volume, compression, reverb, and more to shape their sound. The tutorial also introduces the versatile Cakewalk TTS-1 synthesizer for creating electronic sounds. It provides practical tips for beginners to get started in composing and experimenting with these tools.

Takeaways

• 🎸 Cakewalk by BandLab includes a variety of virtual instruments: bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, electric piano, and strings.
• 🎛️ The bass guitar instrument offers features like different sound programs, tuning, slides, poly/mono modes, and amp controls.
• 🥁 The drum kit instrument provides options for tuning, pitch adjustment, panning, volume, reverb, and compression to customize the sound.
• 🎹 The electric piano includes built-in effects like drive, chorus, tremolo, and controls for tuning, tone, panning, and volume.
• 🎻 The string section contains bass, cello, and violin, automatically adjusting notes based on instrument range and providing controls for attack, release, chorus, and reverb.
• 🎚️ Cakewalk TTS-1 is a versatile software synthesizer with a wide range of instruments, though individual sounds are less detailed compared to dedicated plugins.
• 🔄 The virtual instruments in Cakewalk offer various presets and patterns, which users can drag and drop into projects for easier composition.
• 🎧 Cakewalk allows customization of sound through options like equalization, overdrive, and compression, particularly for bass and drums.
• 🔊 Instruments in Cakewalk can be previewed before selection, especially in the TTS-1 plugin, which supports a variety of MIDI channels.
• 💡 The video encourages users to explore the different sound programs and presets available in each instrument for greater flexibility in music creation.

Q & A

What types of virtual instruments are included in Cakewalk by BandLab?

Cakewalk by BandLab includes a bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, electric piano, and strings as virtual instruments.

How can you play the bass guitar in Cakewalk?

You can play the bass guitar by clicking on the fretboard notes or using pre-included basslines, like selecting from the Rock section and looping them for continuous playback.

What is the function of the poly or mono switch in the bass instrument?

The poly or mono switch determines how many voices the bass has. Mono mode allows only one voice, while poly mode allows multiple voices, making it sound better, especially in higher notes.

How can the drum kit's tuning affect its sound?

The drum kit’s tuning changes the voice of the drums. A high snare tuning sounds tighter, while low tom tuning gives a loose head sound, affecting how the drums are perceived.

What are the main controls available for the Electric Piano instrument?

The Electric Piano has controls like drive (for distortion), chorus (for a stereo effect), tremolo (for amplitude changes), tuning, tone adjustment, panning, and volume.

How does the String section plugin separate the different instrument sounds?

The String section plugin automatically separates notes based on their range to assign them to bass, cello, or violin, allowing you to create music without manually assigning each instrument.

What effect does increasing the attack and release in the String section plugin have?

Increasing the attack and release makes note transitions smoother, and at higher settings, it creates a swell effect, giving the sound more fluidity.

How is Cakewalk TTS-1 different from other included instruments?

Cakewalk TTS-1 is a software synthesizer that can create a wide range of electronic sounds, unlike the other instruments. However, it doesn't include pre-made beats or patterns and requires manual input in the piano roll.

What are the main effects available in most of the virtual instruments in Cakewalk?

Most virtual instruments in Cakewalk include effects such as tuning, panning, volume, chorus, reverb, and compression to adjust the sound and dynamics of the instruments.

Which instrument is preferred for electronic drum sounds, and which one is better for acoustic drum sounds?

For electronic drum sounds, the Cakewalk TTS-1 plugin is preferred, while for more natural acoustic drum sounds, the SI-Drum Kit plugin is a better choice.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Introduction to Virtual Instruments in Cakewalk

The video begins by introducing the virtual instruments available in Cakewalk by BandLab. The narrator emphasizes the importance of watching previous tutorials to understand audio and MIDI recording before diving into virtual instruments. Cakewalk provides several instruments, including a bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, electric piano, and strings, which can be used to create music entirely within the program. The narrator starts the detailed walkthrough with the bass instrument, explaining how to play and manipulate sounds using loops, basslines, and various control options.

05:00

🎸 Exploring Bass Guitar Features in Cakewalk

The narrator explains how to operate the bass guitar instrument in Cakewalk. Users can play notes directly or use preloaded basslines. Key features include the ability to change bass sounds from a variety of presets, such as a picked bass, adjust tuning to detune the bass, control slides, switch between mono and polyphonic voices, and select between different pickups. Amp settings like volume, pan, equalization, drive, and compression are also discussed, allowing for in-depth sound customization.

🥁 Customizing Drum Kit Sounds

The video moves on to the drum kit virtual instrument, where users can select different drum kits and loops. Controls for the drum kit include tuning, panning, and volume, with a unique feature that allows for tuning individual drum pieces like the snare and toms. The narrator highlights how tuning affects the character of the drums, making them sound tighter or looser depending on the settings. The kit also includes a master volume, reverb, and compression controls to refine the overall sound.

🎹 Features of the Electric Piano Instrument

Next, the electric piano virtual instrument is explored. Like the other instruments, it includes presets and patterns for starting compositions. Controls include various effects like drive for distortion, chorus for expanding sound, and tremolo for amplitude modulation. Users can adjust pitch bending, tone, and typical settings like panning and volume. These options provide users with creative control over the piano's sound, allowing for both subtle and dramatic effects.

🎻 String Section Instrument Overview

The string section virtual instrument features a bass, cello, and violin that automatically assign notes based on their range. Each instrument has its own volume and panning controls, and there is a master volume for the entire section. Users can adjust attack and release to control note smoothness, creating effects from abrupt to swelling transitions. Chorus and reverb effects are included, and the string section offers a wide range of sounds from simple synth strings to full orchestral effects, making it highly versatile.

🎛 Introduction to Cakewalk TTS-1 Synthesizer

The final instrument covered is Cakewalk TTS-1, a versatile software synthesizer. This synthesizer can create electronic sounds from various instruments but lacks the detailed customization options of dedicated plugins. It features basic controls such as chorus, reverb, pan, and volume, and offers numerous presets for different instruments like pianos, guitars, percussion, and wind instruments. While it is ideal for electronic music, the narrator suggests using other plugins for more natural sounds, especially with drums. The TTS-1 allows users to preview sounds and make adjustments through an edit panel.

👍 Conclusion and Call to Action

The video wraps up with a brief summary of the virtual instruments in Cakewalk by BandLab. Viewers are encouraged to like the video and subscribe to the channel if they found the tutorial helpful. Social media links are also provided in the description for further engagement.

Keywords

💡Virtual Instruments

Virtual instruments are software tools that replicate the sounds of real musical instruments. In the video, Cakewalk includes various virtual instruments like bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, and strings, allowing users to create music entirely within their computer without needing physical instruments.

💡Bass Guitar

The bass guitar is a stringed instrument that provides the low-end sound in a track. In Cakewalk, the virtual bass guitar can be controlled through an on-screen fretboard or pre-programmed basslines, and users can adjust its sound by modifying tuning, slides, and pickups to fit different styles like rock or jazz.

💡Drum Kit

The drum kit virtual instrument replicates a real drum set. It allows users to select different kits, adjust the tuning of individual drums and cymbals, and manipulate panning, volume, and reverb. This instrument gives flexibility for creating either electronic or acoustic drum sounds in a track.

💡Tuning

Tuning refers to adjusting the pitch of a virtual instrument. In the video, users can modify the tuning of the bass, drums, electric piano, and strings to achieve specific tonal qualities or create a unique sound by detuning notes slightly from their normal pitch.

💡Compression

Compression is a tool that reduces the dynamic range of an instrument, making loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder. In the video, compression is used on both the bass guitar and drum kit to give a more consistent sound and make instruments feel more balanced in the mix.

💡Synthesizer

A synthesizer generates sounds electronically, often mimicking instruments or creating new electronic tones. Cakewalk includes the TTS-1 synthesizer, which can create a variety of sounds, including electronic versions of traditional instruments like pianos and guitars. However, these sounds are less customizable than those in dedicated plugins.

💡Electric Piano

The electric piano is a virtual instrument that replicates the sound of an electric keyboard. Users can apply effects like drive, chorus, and tremolo to adjust its sound. These effects simulate changes such as distortion and stereo widening, offering a range of tonal variations for different music styles.

💡Strings

Strings refer to virtual instruments like violins, cellos, and basses, which are included in Cakewalk's SI-String Section plugin. This instrument automatically adjusts the notes to the proper range for each string instrument and provides options to manipulate the attack, release, and effects like chorus and reverb for a smooth and versatile sound.

💡Reverb

Reverb is an effect that simulates the natural reflection of sound in a physical space, adding depth and atmosphere to an instrument. In the video, reverb is available for both drums and strings, allowing users to create a more 'roomy' or echo-like sound, though the specific room characteristics are not adjustable.

💡Piano Roll

The piano roll is a visual representation of MIDI notes in music software. In Cakewalk, users can use the piano roll to create custom patterns for virtual instruments, such as the TTS-1 synthesizer, since it doesn’t include pre-programmed loops or patterns like the other virtual instruments.

Highlights

Introduction to Cakewalk by BandLab and its virtual instruments.

Cakewalk includes a bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, electric piano, and strings for music creation.

Demonstration of how to play bass sounds by clicking notes on the fretboard or using preloaded basslines.

Explanation of the bass sound adjustment options like tuning, slides, and mono/poly mode.

Control of bass features like switching between pickups, adjusting amp controls, equalization, and using a compressor.

Introduction to the drum kit instrument, and how its controls are similar to the bass with tunings and sound adjustments.

Unique feature of the drum kit: pitch adjustment that changes the voice of drums, creating tighter or looser sounds.

Overview of Electric Piano features such as drive, chorus, and tremolo effects to shape sound.

Controls for the Electric Piano including tone, panning, and volume adjustment.

Introduction to the String section plugin featuring bass, cello, and violin, with automatic note assignment.

String section controls include volume, panning, attack/release for note smoothness, chorus, and reverb.

Description of Cakewalk TTS-1, a versatile software synthesizer offering electronic sounds for many instruments.

TTS-1 features include chorus, reverb, pan, and volume controls for each MIDI channel.

TTS-1 offers a wide selection of instrument presets but lacks beats or drag-and-drop programs.

Closing notes about how Cakewalk's virtual instruments provide diverse sound options for music production.

Transcripts

Hey guys, in this video we’re going to go through all the virtual instruments in Cakewalk

by BandLab.

Before starting this video, make sure you’ve checked out the previous tutorials on this

series to learn about how to record both audio and MIDI in this program.

Cakewalk includes a few different virtual instruments you can use to create music completely

within your computer.

It comes with a bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, electric piano, and strings.

Let’s go through each of these in detail.

Let’s start off with the bass.

Before we go adjusting the sound, we need something playing so we can hear it.

To make noise with the bass, you can click notes on the fretboard.

You can also use one of the included bass lines on the left side.

For example, we can open up the Rock section and choose Rock 01.

Then press the loop button to get it to keep playing.

The forward and backwards arrows are used to switch basslines.

The stop button stops the loop and the play starts it up again.

You can drag these loops to the bottom pattern grid to collect the ones you like.

This doesn’t play them all together, but it makes it easier to drop and drag them onto

the MIDI track when you start piecing together some music.

Now that we’ve got something playing, let’s look at what options we have.

On the left, we have our default programs that have a bunch of different bass sounds.

It’s worth scrolling through these and finding something close to what you’re looking for

before you go and start adjusting the other controls.

Right now, I’m just using default, but I can change it to a picked bass or something

else if I want to.

The first control on the bass is the tuning.

This can be used to detune the bass by less than a half note, so it’s in between normal

notes.

Next is the slides tool to adjust how slides and bends in your music sound.

The poly or mono switch selects how many voices the bass has.

In mono mode, there’s only one voice.

It sounds fine when playing the low notes, but the high notes sound like a distorted

pitch shifted version of the low notes.

I tend to keep this in poly mode.

Finally, you can switch between the bright jazz bass bridge pickup and the P bass pickup

The amp controls are below the bass.

The volume and pans are on the left.

There’s equalization for the bass, mid and treble frequencies in the middle, just like

you would have on a normal amp.

The

right side has a drive knob, which emulates overdrive when a tube amp is pushed.

Finally, there’s a compressor to clamp down on the dynamic range.

Of course, you could always just use a regular compressor plugin instead if you wanted to.

The next instrument is the drum kit.

Like the bass, this is also fairly useful.

The features are similar to the bass with the programs we can pick on the side and the

different drum beats, but we need to cover the different controls to adjust the drum

sound.

Once again, make sure to pick a drum kit that sounds best to you first.

They’re actually different sounds, not just adjusted settings on a main drum kit.

The main setting we need to concern ourselves with is the tuning.

The panning and volume are pretty self-explanatory.

We can adjust the pitch of all the drums up or down, and we can even do this with the

cymbals.

The nice thing is it actually changes the voice of the drums, instead of just pitch

shifting it.

So a high snare sound sounds a lot tighter, and a low tom tuning has that characteristic

loose head sound to it.

On the right we have a master volume for the whole kit.

There’s also a reverb control to adjust the amount of room noise.

You’re not really in control of how the room sounds, but it’s nice to have.

You could always just create a dry sound after and run it through a different reverb if you

really wanted to.

Last we have compression, which decreases the dynamic range.

With the drums compressed, everything lasts a lot longer.

This changes the sound depending on the kit you’re using and the tuning of the drums.

It has a lot more of an effect on drum that is tuned low that one that’s high and tight.

The Electric Piano virtual instrument is another cool included effect.

Like the others, it has some default built in programs and patterns to start with.

For controls, there are a few effects at the top.

They’re basically like pedals, so hit the switch to turn them on.

The drive increases the distortion and gives it more of a sawtooth tone.

The chorus makes it sound larger and like there are more playing together.

It also expands it out in stereo slightly.

The tremolo creates a wave of changes in amplitude.

You can adjust how big these changes are and how fast they happen with the depth and rate

knob.

On the piano itself, there are controls to change the tuning.

Like the bass guitar, we don’t have to go to specific notes, and we can bend the pitch

between notes.

The tone control adjusts the brightness roll off, kind of like a tone knob on an electric

guitar.

Then there’s just the simple panning and volume controls like the rest of the instruments.

The last of the SI plugins is the String section.

This contains a bass, cello, and violin.

The plugin automatically separates the notes on the piano roll and piano at the bottom

to whatever instrument they are in range of, so you can create music without having to

worry about that yourself.

Each instrument has its own volume and panning at the top so you can adjust the balance between

them.

In the middle, we have a master volume that controls all of them.

The attack and release basically control the smoothness of the note transitions.

With a 0 or near 0% attack and release, the notes start and stop really abruptly.

As we increase that, they start to get smoother.

When it gets closer to 100%, it gives us more of a swell effect.

On the right, we have chorus and reverb controls, just like with our previous effects.

Finally, there are tuning and tone controls like we had on others as well.

The one thing I really like about this plugin are the options available from the default

programs.

This plugin is capable of anything from a synth string section to a full orchestra,

so it’s very versatile for creating string sounds.

The last plugin included with this program is Cakewalk TTS-1.

This is completely different from the other ones.

It’s a software synthesizer that can create electronic sounds from just about any instrument

you can think of.

I like this for its versatility with all the different instruments, but the individual

sounds are not as good as dedicated plugins, and they usually have a lot less options.

There’s also no included beats or programs that you can just drag and drop onto the project

track, so you’ll have to make all those in the piano roll view.

Luckily, they did include a preview button to hear the sound the plugin is making with

certain presets and settings.

Each track here represents a MIDI channel.

They all have a chorus control, reverb, pan, and volume.

At the bottom, we can click a button to hear a preview of the sound it makes.

For more options and to change the preset we’re using, we have to click the edit square

at the top.

This brings up the options for that track.

To change what instrument you’re using, click on the instrument name in the center.

Then go under presets and select the instrument you would like to use.

We’ve got a lot of different options for piano, guitars, percussion, wind instruments,

brass instruments, strings, and some various sound effects.

The drum sounds are good for electronic kits, but not good for a more natural sounding acoustic

kit.

If I wanted electronic drums, I would use this and play around with the presets, but

for acoustic sounds I still with the SI-Drum Kit plugin we looked at earlier.

Thanks for checking out this video on the virtual instruments included with Cakewalk

by BandLab.

If you found this video helpful, give it a like and subscribe to the channel.

You can also check out our social media links in the video description down below.