15 workflow ideas for SONAR

During my daily SONAR usage, I've compiled a list of usability/workflow tweaks that could make the experience even smoother - here goes:
 
1. Virtual Instruments: Warn before loading a preset which will erase/unload existing sounds loaded - I've lost several multi-setups to this :( This can occur when the preset selector is inadvertently highlighted and you press up- or down arrow, thereby loading another preset without any warning.
 
2. When selecting a soft synth midi track for 'bounce to track', automatically highlight the corresponding softsynth audio track as well
 
3. Add an option for automatically disabling the metronome when *recording* an audio track (ie an audio track is armed and you press 'record'). I can't really think of a scenario where the user would like to have the metronome running while recording an audio track.
 
4. Add a keyboard shortcut to enable/disable the audio engine. Sometimes SONAR does not detect when you navigate away from it, thereby leaving the audio engine running and locked. If there was a shortcut for disabling it, the user could make a habit of always disengaging when navigating away from the SONAR window.
 
5. Allow a keyboard shortcut for enabling/disabling the 'Use Audio Metronome' option
 
6. Add a toolbar button for selecting time signature (I've only been able to find this on the Large Transport toolbar - maybe I missed another place to set this?)
 
7. Track arpeggiator should default to the channel where it's enabled
 
8. Improve drag and drop from VIs - for instance, dropping midi tracks from Spectrasonics Stylus RMX into SONAR is still a hit-and-miss with regard to where the clip ends up
 
9. Automatically rebuild layers when the user selects 'show layers' for the first time
 
10. Allow multiple lasso selections in the piano roll - ie if you want to add more notes to the current selection, allow the user to do another lasso selection
 
11. After recording, highlight the event that was just created/recorded (as the user would in most cases want to perform further actions on that event)
 
12. If you have two events on top of each other in the track view - say, a short and a long event - SONAR should allow you to select the one you click. If you click the short event, SONAR seems to sometimes select the longer one for some reason.

13. Allow the user to select how many midi tracks to add when inserting a Virtual Instrument
 
14. Allow closing of the "Snap-to-Grid" box using the ESC key
 
15. Add/allow keyboard shortcuts for inserting basic midi events such as pan and volume

>> 3. I can't really think of a scenario where the user would like to have the metronome running while recording an audio track. 


Seriously? I must be missing something here. I do this all the time. Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but there's a button on the main toolbar to specify. I can't see why anyone would want to complicate this further.


For your other suggestions, I recommend submitting them individually using the feature request page:

http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/FeatureRequest.asp 

Nice features request list.  There are a few of them that are already included in Sonar though:

3. Add an option for automatically disabling the metronome when *recording* an audio track (ie an audio track is armed and you press 'record'). I can't really think of a scenario where the user would like to have the metronome running while recording an audio track.

You can already set the Audio/MIDI Metronome to play during certain events (i.e. Only during Record, Only during Playback or both).  Enable the Metronome Toolbar for easy access to these options.

4. Add a keyboard shortcut to enable/disable the audio engine. Sometimes SONAR does not detect when you navigate away from it, thereby leaving the audio engine running and locked. If there was a shortcut for disabling it, the user could make a habit of always disengaging when navigating away from the SONAR window.

Go to Options::Audio::Advanced tab and check the option that says "Share drivers with other applications" (or something similar).  This will automatically release ASIO drivers to other applications when Sonar is NOT the focus.

6. Add a toolbar button for selecting time signature (I've only been able to find this on the Large Transport toolbar - maybe I missed another place to set this?)

I'm pretty sure there's one already (not in front of DAW right now).  But you can also access this from the Insert menu.

7. Track arpeggiator should default to the channel where it's enabled

Could you elaborate?  I'm not following you on this one.  EDIT: Nevermind, I see what you're saying.

10. Allow multiple lasso selections in the piano roll - ie if you want to add more notes to the current selection, allow the user to do another lasso selection

It is NOT enabled by default, but you can change the stock behaviour of any of the MIDI Tools in the MIDI Tools menu options.  I also have it set to where pressing Ctrl+Drag will keep lassoing notes.


Again, great list!  But you need to summit it to the proper channels as Stickman suggested.


Take care!

 
EDIT:  I see you already did summit it, good :-)
 
 

3. I use Audio Metronome all the time when recording audio tracks. Definitely no need to disable it in my opinion.

4. I have a keyboard shortcut (Numpad Enter) to enable / disable Audio Engine. It is possible.

5. Disable / Endable Audio Metronome for playback & recording can be assigned to keybaord. I use them all the time.  However, it works only if playback is stopped.

mystp

@stickman: Ah yes, a very valid point - I usually record from my main input (ie all inputs), thus the metronome is recorded as well if I don't disable it. But point taken.

Are you using a SoundBlaster with the recording input set to "What You Hear" or something? I don't see a reason why outgoing audio would be picked up on the incoming audio recording in normal usage.

Personally the only time I ever want the metronome on is when I'm recording an audio track!

How about allowing a keyboard toggle for "On Stop, Rewind to Now Marker." I'm always switching that on and off the long way. I think you can use SHIFT+SPACEBAR to achieve to opposite of whatever the stop behavior is set to.

Nope, it's CTRL+SPACEBAR

panup

4. I have a keyboard shortcut (Numpad Enter) to enable / disable Audio Engine. It is possible.

More details please?
Version of Sonar = X3 ?
Where is it listed in the key bindings menu or what is it called in there?
Thank you!