Understanding Configuration Profiles
Cakewalk Sonar allows you to back up, manage, and restore global application settings using JSON-based Configuration Profiles (.ccp). Stored in %APPDATA%\Cakewalk\Sonar\Config Profiles, these profiles consolidate hardware, system, registry, and key-binding preferences into single portable files.
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Note
Configuration profiles manage global app and hardware settings. They complement, but do not replace, project templates, presets, or Workspaces.
Key Use Cases
- Hardware Switching: Instantly swap audio driver modes or device assignments when moving between studio interfaces and mobile setups.
- Workflow Setup: Maintain distinct hardware profiles tailored specifically for tracking, mixing, or live band recording.
- Control Surface Management: Toggle between different control surface mapping configurations.
- System Restoration: Save a "known good state" profile for rapid recovery during system troubleshooting.
- Automated Startup: Launch targeted configurations automatically using desktop shortcuts with command-line flags.
Configuration Profile Components
| Category | Stored File / Registry Path |
|---|---|
| Audio Configuration |
Aud.ini
|
| MIDI Configuration |
TTSSeq.ini
|
| Control Surfaces Configuration |
ctrlsurface.dat, ctrlsurface_UWP.dat
|
| General Application Settings |
Cakewalk.ini & Windows Registry
|
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Custom Key Bindings |
Saving & Loading Configuration Profiles
Saving a Configuration Profile
- Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Customization - Backup/Restore Settings.
- Select the specific setting categories to include in the backup.
- (Optional) Enter a brief description in the text field.
- Click Save, enter a filename (defaults to
ConfigProfile_[date].ccp), and click Save.
Automatic Backup
Sonar automatically saves a backup profile of the last known good configuration whenever you exit the application.
Loading a Configuration Profile
- Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Customization - Backup/Restore Settings.
- Enable Only apply the settings checked above on load and select target categories for a partial restore, or leave it unchecked to load all saved settings.
- Click Load, select the desired
.ccpprofile file, and click Open. - Click Yes on the confirmation prompt to apply the profile.
Automating Profile Launch via Desktop Shortcut
- Create a duplicate of your main Cakewalk Sonar desktop shortcut and give it a descriptive name.
- Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and open the Shortcut tab.
-
In the Target field, place the cursor after the trailing quotation mark, add a space, and append the
/RestoreConfigflag:"C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Sonar\Sonar.exe" /RestoreConfig="%APPDATA%\Cakewalk\Sonar\Config Profiles\YourProfileName.ccp" - Click OK to save changes. Double-clicking this shortcut will launch Sonar directly with the specified profile.
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