Poor layout of Sonar 2.1

[Jim Y]

I never tried to use Cakewalk seriously before Sonar. I was going to get Logic but Sonar came out just in time. I do think Sonar is easier to get into than PA. Since I got Sonar 1, both Cubase and Logic have corrected the issues that had put me off them at the time - only one Undo and inabilty to run under Win2000. If I was to choose now, I don't think it would automatically be Sonar. PA was aimed at a traditional market - essentially a tape like multitrack with midi. With Sonar, Twelve tone have abandoned this for the drum loops + soft synth market. Fortunately, it can function as a traditional DAW, but there are several design factors that show that isn't how they intend it to be used. Lets face it - Sonar is Acid with midi (But with v4 - Acid has caught up with it). Since 1.3.1, the content of Sonar updates/upgrades has left me unimpressed and not a little depressed - ever nearer toward compatability with everything else, rather that building on its strengths and correcting weaknesses. If I wanted Re-wire I would have bought a completely differant product and I shudder to learn that ASIO support is to come in the future.
As for Sonars interface. Yes, the track info is a mess but isn't it in all current Daws? You could have an extended "tool tip" bubble when you hover the mouse over the edge or press a key. You will never have a screen layout to suit music until computer displays will stretch halfway around the room.
I will update from 1.3.1 when two issues are resolved. The inabilty to preview the metronome with a new, empty project and the fact that Sonar won't share midi drivers. I don't think I will jump ship to another product. Once a project is underway, Sonar can be very fast to work with and I don't want to have to go thru another learning curve.

 

[dachay2tnr]

The other thing you might want to consider is increasing the height of your tracks.

If you increase the track height, you will find that the settings (volume, pan, etc.) will stack themselves vertically within the track view window when you drag the track view splitter to the left.

Of course, this will reduce the number of tracks you can see on the screen at one time. However, it should allow you to get a decent compromise between the amount of real estate devoted to the track view versus the wave form (even at 800 X 600 resolution).

Using the tabs at the bottom is another compromise - which you already mentioned yourself.

Without trying to sound harsh, brzilian kinda hit the nail on the head. Cakewalk has to write it's programs for where the mass of the market is. I'm sure there are users who might complain that Sonar doesn't run on their DOS based computer. Would you then ask them to design a DOS version? You really have to draw the line somewhere. Technology changes.

The technology for 1024 X 768 has been around for quite awhile now. Besides, are you sure you need a different monitor and not just a new video card? Maybe you monitor has that capability already.

 

[James Argo]

...excuse me everybody, out of topic, but how come short cut "/" doesn't solo my track in Track view ?

 

[brzilian]

...excuse me everybody, out of topic, but how come short cut "/" doesn't solo my track in Track view ?

Check your key bindings. You can set them to whatever you want them to be.

 

[James Argo]

Check your key bindings. You can set them to whatever you want them to be.

...Well, thank's for the reply, but key binding doesn't let me chose "/" button to be binded. The "/" button should be the shortcut for soloing track by default anyway (Which I believe I don't have to "bind" it myself). It's there in the Help --> Keyboard Shortcuts by default. But I can't solo my track using it...

 

[dachay2tnr]

Sorry, James, all I can tell you is that it works for me.

I assume you know the track has to be selected, but other than that I don't know why it doesn't work for you.

 

[James Argo]

...I assume you know the track has to be selected...

Hey, I didn't know it I selected the track (using ",") and it works... Thank's Dachay. Now what were we talking about ? ..Ooh, the poor lay out... Go ahead, keep goin'...


Jaymz