Learn what each menu command does in Cakewalk Next, including File, Edit, Insert, View, Transport, and Help options to streamline your music production workflow.
File Menu
Comnmand
Description
New Project
Create a new project.
Open Project
Open an existing project.
Open Recent Project
Open a recently loaded projec.
Save Project
Save the current project.
Save Project As
Save the current project with a new name.
Save As Project Template
Save the current project as a template.
Export Audio
Export the current project as a WAV file.
Publish to BandLab
Publish the project to your BandLab library. Export is not possible if the project exceeds 12 tracks.
Export to CXF
Export the current project to a Cakewalk Interchange Format (CXF) file, which can be opened in Cakewalk Sonar.
Exit
Close Next
Edit Menu
Comnmand
Description
Undo
Reverse the last action.
Redo
Reverse the most recent Undo command.
Cut
Remove the selected objects and put them on the Clipboard.
Split
Split all clips at the playback position.
Copy
Copy the selected objects to the Clipboard.
Paste
Place the contents of the Clipboard into the current project location.
Delete
Delete the selected clip or track/bus/track folder.
Duplicate
Duplicate the selected event(s).
Selecte All
Select all tracks, clips, events, or plugins, depending on which view has focus.
Clear Selection
Clear the selection.
Move to Track Folder
Move the selected tracks/buses into a new track folder.
Remove Folder
Remove the selected track folder and move the contained tracks up one level.
Move Track out of All Folder
Move the selected tracks to the root leve
Bounce to New Tracks
Bounce/consolidate multiple selected tracks to new tracks.
Bounce Tracks in Place
Bounce the selected track(s) in place, in their entirety.
Process>
Normalize Audio Tracks
Normalize all audio clips on the selected tracks.
Trim Silence
Trim silence from both the beginning and end of the selected clip(s).
Enable Ripple Editing
Enable/disable ripple editing.
Preference
Configure various app settings.
Insert Menu
Comnmand
Description
Insert Audio Track
Insert a new audio track.
Insert Instrument Track
Insert a new instrument track.
Insert Sampler Track
Insert a new sampler track.
Insert Pad Controller Tracks
Insert a new Pad Controller track.
Insert Instrument Rack Track
Insert a new Instrument Rack track.
Insert Track Folder
Insert a new track folder.
Insert Bus
Inset a new bus.
Insert Track Template
Insert a new track from a track template.
Insert Audio/MIDI File
Insert an audio or MIDI file.
Insert Empty MIDI Clip
Insert an empty MIDI clip in the selected Instrument track.
View Menu
Comnmand
Description
Show Track Inspector
Show/hide the Track Inspector.
Show Clip Inspector
Show/hide the Clip Inspector.
Show Loop Browser
Show/hide the Loop Browser.
Show Arranger Inspector
Show/hide the Arranger Inspector
Show Lyrics Inspectors
Show/hide the Lyrics Inspector.
Show Lyrics Prompter
Toggle between showing the Lyrics Prompter and Lyrics Editor.
Show Arranger Track
Show/hide the Arranger track.
Show Lyrics Track
Show/hide the Lyrics track.
Show Tempo Track
Show/hide the Tempo track.
Track Heights
Restore last user defined height / Fit tracks to view / Collapse track heights.
Expand Track Folders
Expand all track folders.
Collapse Track Folders
Collapse all track folders
Show Project Info Editor
Show the Project Information editor.
Show Virtual MIDI Controller
Open the Virtual MIDI Controller.
Toggle QWERTY to MIDI Input
Enable/disable QWERTY MIDI input without opening the Virtual MIDI Controller.
Show Aim Assist
Show/hide the Aim Assist line, which is a vertical line that shows the mouse pointer’s horizontal position in the Clips pane, and vertical and horizontal position in the Piano Roll editor.
Time Ruler Format>
Musical Time
Display Measure:Beat:Tick time in the transport toolbar and time ruler.
Absolute Time
Display absolute time in the transport toolbar and time ruler
Samples
Display sample time in the transport toolbar and time ruler
Playback Options>
Smooth Scroll
During playback, keep the playhead stationary and scroll the Clips pane and Piano Roll editor
Follow Playhead - Tracks View
Scroll the Clips pane when the playhead reaches the right edge.
Follow Playhead - Piano Roll View
Scroll the Piano Roll view when the playhead reaches the right edge.
Transport Menu
Comnmand
Description
Play/Pause
Start/pause playback.
Play/Pause (no rewind)
Start/pause playback from current position (never rewind to the last start position, and don’t move the start position marker).
Jump Back
Rewind the playback position and seek to loop positions and the playback marker en route to the project start
Go to Start
Go to the beginning of the project.
Jump Forward
Jump forward and seek to loop positions en route to the project end.
Go to End
Go to the end of the project.
Record
Start/stop recording on any armed tracks.
Toggle Loop Playback
Enable/disable playback looping.
Loop Selection
Set the current time range selection as the loop range, and enable looping.
Loop Recording Creates Takes in Track Folder
When loop recording, place all takes in a track folder
Mute Previous Takes During Loop Recording
When loop recording, mute previous loop passes
Enable Punch Recording
Enable/disable punch recording
MIDI Recording Overdub
When recording MIDI on instrument tracks, merge new material with existing material. Existing clips on the track are left unchanged and all newly recorded material is stored in new clips. While recording, you will be able to hear material from existing clips.
Toggle Metronome
Enable/disable the metronome.
Resume Playback at Last Start Position
When playback starts, jump to the previous playback start location. The start location is indicated by a small green play icon above the time ruler. The start location updates when you click in the Clips pane.
Stop Playback on Engine Dropout
Stop playback if there is an audio engine dropout.
Help Menu
Comnmand
Description
Help
Open the online documentation
Report a Problem
Report bugs via an online form in your default web browser
Keyboard Shortcuts
Show a list of keyboard shortcuts
Check for Updates
Check for software updates.
View Release Notes
Show the release notes.
Activation
Export Activation Request
Export a file that can be used to activate Next from a different online computer
Import Activation Response
Import an activation file that was created on a different online computer
Sign In / Sign Out
Cakewalk Next® needs to be re-activated every 6 months in order to unlock all available features, such as saving and exporting. This normally happens automatically if you are signed in to your BandLab account and connected to the internet.
Cakewalk Next® supports SSO (Single Sign-On) for activation, which allows you to log in via any service supported by BandLab as your sign-in authority. Google, Facebook, Apple ID, mobile phone and BandLab user/password credentials are currently supported.
SSO is only used for Cakewalk Next® activation, and under normal circumstances you will only need to sign in once. Cakewalk Next® will attempt to refresh your activation status silently and automatically on occasion during start up. Use the SSO login as you have done with your BandLab account in the past.
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