Frequently Asked Questions

Why are all AIFF files greyed out?

This problem is fixed in 6.3.2. Some changes made in a newer OS X release caused this to occur. If you do not want to or cannot upgrade, you can work around the problem by dragging the AIFF file on to the Metro (SE/LX) icon in the dock.

I am having trouble registering. I cannot find a serial number or I get a message saying I have a duplicate serial number. How come?

Cakewalk's Metro SE was bundled with a number of products and users who purchased those products did not receive a Metro SE serial number.

In some cases duplicate serial numbers were issued for Cakewalk Metro SE. Our system requires users to have a unique serial number which identifies that particular user.

The solution in both of these cases is to contact support with proof of purchase information and we will reissue you a valid Cakewalk serial number with which you may register and upgrade.

I downloaded and unstuffed the product but when I double click on it nothing happens. What should I do?

This happens because a change was made to aladdin's stuffit expander as of version 8.0. To solve this problem click here.

Where are my OS 9 Plug-ins?

This is a bug in Metro 6.05 on systems that do not have OS X installed. There is an alias in the Metro Folder titled 'OS X VST plug-ins' which is producing an error when Metro starts scanning for plug-ins. This error causes Metro to stop scanning and thus it never finds any remaining plug-ins. This problem is fixed in Metro version 6.06 or later, which does not stop scanning after it encounters this error. However the easy workaround is simply to trash the alias file. The alias file is there as a convenience so users can easily find where to put their OS X plug-ins.

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How can I buy the full version?

The full version is available as a download from the Sagan Technology store. For further information on release dates and pricing, please join our email list.

Is there an SE version of Metro 6?

There is an SE version of Metro 6. It is available as a download from the Sagan Technology store. There is also an upgrade price for Metro 5 SE users.

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How do I "mixdown" several audio and MIDI tracks into one file - to create a CD or MP3 file, for example? Do I need another app to do this?

To mix down several tracks to create a CD and/or MP3 you will need to:

  1. Connect the output from your MIDI devices and computer audio output to a mixer.
  2. Connect the mixer to the input of your computer.
  3. In Metro, record-enable an audio track.
  4. Select the correct stereo audio input from the Audio Input Select column of the tracks window.
  5. Click Return and then Record in the transport window.
  6. When the recording is done press stop.

If you have installed the LAME MP3 Quicktime Converter you can simply Export (with the using Quicktime option) the newly recorded track directly to MP3 and you are done.

Otherwise Export the track to some place on your hard drive where you will be able to find it later. This will write an AIFF file. Then in iTunes, or other CD or MP3 making application you can either burn a CD or convert the resultant AIFF file to MP3.

    If you do not need an MP3 but just some other compressed format such as Ogg Vorbis or MP4 you can use other methods. For example to create an Ogg Vorbis file you can use the Jukebox Window after exporting. For MP4 or other QuickTime supported compression, in step 7 select export using QuickTime and select the appropriate format.

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    Where can I find the LAME MP3 converter so that I can export audio directly to MP3 files?

    The LAME MP3 Encoder, Quicktime Component, and Framework are all included in an easy to use installer. It is also a Universal Binary, meaning it will work on both PowerPC and Intel platforms. Download it here.

    Where can I get offline documentation?

    Documentation and tutorials for Metro 6 and Metro 6 SE are available for use offline. First download the documentation from our downloads page. You also may need to unstuff the documentation with stuffit expander. The Metro 6 getting started guide is also available to registered users after they login and included with the Metro demo.

    A great resource to users is the Metro Forum. Please come and visit.

    Join our email list to be notified when further offline documentation is available and in what form. In the meantime, read the online documentation and the Metro 5 getting started guide is available upon request.

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    Why do I get an error in Metro 6?

    Metro 6 is an application package so that it runs on both 9 and 10. It may be that the ASIO driver or VST plugin is expecting a different folder structure from the application to the ASIO Drivers folder. If this is true, you have a couple of options which may or may not work.

    1. Place an alias to the ASIO folder inside the application package. Click on the program, show package info, open the folder package, open mac os and place the asio folder alias at the same level as the app. This will only work if the driver resolves alias files. If this doesn't work you could try placing the actual folder instead of the alias.
    2. Drag the program Metro PPC out of the application package and into the Metro folder. This should work.

    Do this. Control-click on the Metro 6 application. One of the options in OS 9 and greater is 'show package contents'. Select this. This will change the Application into a folder (which it actually is anyway). Then you can open the folder. Follow steps 1 or 2 above to hopefully fix the problem.

    Important: Don't forget to control-click the app(folder) again and select 'hide package contents' so that double clicking will launch it again.
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    Why do I get error messages in OS X when trying to playback or record audio?

    A series of errors upon pressing play, such as:

    • -50 Error in parameter list/not an existing volume/bad positioning/bad drive number
    • -225 Invalid sample rate
    • -229 invalid input device reference number.

    Can usually be resolved simply by visiting the Digital Audio Setup dialog and selecting the appropriate Core Audio Device.

    Metro 6 requires an audio input device (even for output) to work properly in OS X. This is fixed in 6.0.1 or greater.

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    Does Metro 6 support Propellerheads Rewire?

    Yes. As of version 6.2 all versions of Metro do support Propellerheads Rewire.

    How do I record over existing music in a track (replace not overdub)?

    Change the Record mode from Overdub to Replace in the Record and Play Setup dialog box. To open Record and Play Setup, choose Record/Play from the Setup menu.

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    How do I rename a track?

    Hold the Option key when you click the track name; Metro places a text cursor in the name area, ready for typing.

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    How do I save the settings (count-off, colors, etc.) for my current project as the default?

    Choose File|Preferences. Click on the General pane and click Save. This saves the default settings for Metro, based on the current project.

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    Metro seems to erase my whole track when I record...how can I change this?

    Turn on the “Partial Track Recording” switch in the Switches menu. (Switches are “on” when they display checkmarks next to them.) Now, whenever you record new data, Metro will begin at the current time position. Remember to specify the Overdub or Replace setting in the Record/Play Setup dialog box.

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    When I import a MIDI file, what happens?

    Metro loads the MIDI file into the current document as one of the document’s Sections; you can see every section in your document in the Sections window. For more information on Sections, Tracks, and SubSections, see The Sections Window .

    Hint: To make a stand-alone document out of a MIDI file, begin with a New file before importing. Metro assigns the MIDI file's channels to the currently assigned Original port.

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    Why won't the Rhythm Explorer loop my music?

    You probably haven’t turned on Cue looping—in the expanded Transport Controls, click the Cue checkbox in the Looping area. Now when you select some notes and enter the Rhythm Explorer, Metro will loop the notes, allowing you to really hear the rhythmic changes in context.

    Hint: click the Zoom box, in the upper right corner of the Transport window, to switch between the expanded and compact sizes

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    I get no sound from my MIDI track

    There are numerous reasons why you might not hear anything from a MIDI track:

    1. Your Studio Setup is faultyMet90000.gifconsult your OMS or MSS documentation to test your Studio Setup
    2. The Mute button on your MIDI track is turned onMet90000.giffind the M column on the left side of the Tracks window and make sure there is no dot in it (click the dot to remove it).
    3. If you use your soundcard’s internal MIDI synth for MIDI, the Metro volume fader in the Instruments Mixer window might be turned down. Open the Instruments Mixer window (Command-I), find the name of the MIDI output associated with the track in question (look at the bottom of the Instruments Mixer window), and drag the fader up. Also check the Master fader at the far right of the Instruments Mixer window.
    4. If you use your soundcard’s internal MIDI synth for MIDI, your Mac’s internal amplifier could be turned down. You may need to adjust Volumes or Sound Out in the Control Panels. Open the Sound window by choosing Apple menu > Control Panels > Sound (not Monitors and Sound). Also, make sure no Mute buttons are checked in the Sound window.
    5. If you use an external sound module for MIDI, check its volume and the amplifier it’s connected to.
    6. You haven’t chosen the correct output to match the sound module you are usingMet90000.gifclick the name in the Outputs column of the Tracks window and select an output that matches the sound module you are using.

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    I get no sound from my audio track

    There are numerous reasons why you might not hear anything from an audio track:

    1. The Metro volume fader in the Instruments Mixer window might be turned down. Open the Instruments Mixer window (Command-I), find the name of the audio output associated with the track in question (look at the bottom of the Instruments Mixer window), and drag the fader up. Also check the Master fader at the far right of the Instruments Mixer window.
    2. If you use the Mac’s internal soundcard, your Mac’s internal amplifier could be turned down. You may need to adjust Volumes or Sound Out in the Control Panels. Open the Sound window by choosing Apple menu > Control Panels > Sound (not Monitors and Sound). Also, make sure no Mute buttons are checked in the Sound window.
    3. You may have a MIDI output assigned to an audio track. Look in the Outputs column in the Tracks window.
    4. Your track may be muted. Uncheck the M column at the left side of the Tracks window.


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    Frequently Asked Questions