BandLab Effects includes a wide range of processors, including:

• Amp simulators
• Compressors
• EQs
• Reverbs
• Delays
• Special effects

Effects can be sorted by category, making it easy to find the plugin you need.

BandLab Effects work anywhere standard audio effects are supported, including:

• Track FX Racks
• Bus FX Racks
• ProChannel
• Clip Effects

Sonar also includes hundreds of curated BandLab FXChains that combine multiple effects into ready-to-use processing chains.

FXChains are available from:

• Plugin Browser
• Insert BandLab FXChain menu

They can be used in:

• FX Racks
• ProChannel

Tip

You can quickly find FXChains by typing into the Plugin Browser search field.

You can organize BandLab Effects from the Plugin Browser by:

• Identifying plugins by category
• Showing or hiding BandLab Effects using Plugin Layouts

• Hidden plugins remain available in existing projects that already use them.

The first time you load a BandLab Instrument:

• Internet access is required to download its soundbank.
• The instrument will remain silent until the download is complete.
• A download message will appear inside the instrument interface.

You can:

• Download soundbanks individually as needed.
• Download all soundbanks for offline use.

Soundbanks are relatively small and typically download within a few minutes.

Every BandLab Instrument includes:

• An on-screen keyboard for previewing sounds
• Octave controls
• Support for playing notes using your computer's QWERTY keyboard

The on-screen keyboard can send MIDI data directly to Sonar.

To enable MIDI output:

1. Open Synth Properties.
2. Enable MIDI Out.

Soundbanks can be managed from the instrument menu.

Available options include:

Download Soundbank

Downloads the current instrument's soundbank.

Download All Soundbanks

Downloads every soundbank for offline use.

Reset Soundbanks

Removes all downloaded soundbanks.

Cancel Download

Stops an active download.

You can replace a BandLab Instrument directly from its interface without using Sonar's global Replace Plugin workflow.

To replace an instrument:

• Click the instrument name in the plugin interface.
• Browse the complete instrument list.
• Use the Previous and Next buttons to move between instruments.
• Browse by category or sort by instrument type.

Changes are immediately reflected in the Synth Rack and throughout the project.

BandLab Instruments can be previewed directly from the Plugin Browser before inserting them.

You can:

• Click an instrument to audition its sound.
• Preview instruments using the same Auto Preview and Loop Play settings used by the Media Browser.

Full View Simplified View

Displays every individual instrument.

Displays a single BandLab Instrument entry.

You can switch between these views from:

Plugin Browser > Show BandLab Plugins

Even in Simplified View, the single BandLab Instrument entry can be replaced with any available instrument after insertion.

Sonar automatically maps MIDI tracks to BandLab Instruments when no hardware MIDI device is detected, replacing the legacy TTS-1 workflow.

Note

BandLab Instruments supports a curated subset of MIDI CC messages.

You can manage BandLab Instruments from the Plugin Browser by:

• Identifying plugins by category
• Showing or hiding BandLab Instruments using Plugin Layouts

Hidden instruments will continue to load normally in existing projects that already use them.