bitflipper

I have in the past renamed the (*.dll) plugs in explorer - works.

Works for new projects, yes. But old projects will choke when they can't find a previously-referenced VST file.  Better to use the Plugin Manager to rename them.

I agree with the idea of an expanded fx bin window, either by a double-click or even hovering the mouse over it. Better still would be a completely configurable track header that lets you decide what you don't want to see, the order in which widgets are displayed, and the width of dropdown lists, sliders and the fx bin.

You're so right about the new projects versus the old. The other problem is keeping track of the renaming when updating versions of the plug...

+1 to the visual Undertow presented... That makes a lot of sense given X1's current gui.


@ SteveStrummer - Thanks, something like that would speed things up a bit.

What's with all the software developers that make music / use Sonar?  Me too!

I've been using Cakewalk since Home Studio 4.  Then HS 9.  Then Sonar 6.  Now X1.  Loved, and still love, each and every upgrade.  Sure, gotta get used to new key bindings or menu placements. Gotta re-customize my layouts and workflows. But the benefits always seem to outweigh those costs. But I also know that sometimes a certain upgrade isn't worth it.  Heck, Cakewalk finally upgraded their compiler from VS6 to VS2010 for X1!  But that I can understand :-)

I've only been using X1 in my spare time for about 3 weeks, and I'm almost back up to full speed!

To me, writing and producing music is almost exactly like writing and producing software.  But music has actually become much more personally rewarding.

mdbatchelor


I've been using Sonar since 1.x, and I'm writing here to express my complete displeasure with Sonar X1 Studio. I was really looking forward to some very cool features, and instead, I find Sonar X1 to have made a quantum leap backward in usability. Patches and banks end up with unintelligible names, I'm constantly fighting with the cursor to make it do what it's always done naturally in the past, and I'm continuously having to go multiple levels deep for menus that were easily located before. I'm a software engineer by trade (my day job) and I work with Sonar on the weekends for the pleasure of arranging and orchestrating music. After giving this a go for more than three weekends, I'm finished. I wish I had a way to get my $$ back. Be warned all you potential upgraders, be warned. Sonar X1 is a colossal failure when it comes to usability - something I value in a DAW. Thanks for your time.

Yes I wish you could get your money back also-I am so tired of hearing "I started with the Flintstone version of Sonar, way back, you know, when.
It's a collosal failure for you and some others. Not for all of us.
BTW, I was way before the Flintstone version came out- CW BC Pro

stratman70

mdbatchelor


I've been using Sonar since 1.x, and I'm writing here to express my complete displeasure with Sonar X1 Studio. I was really looking forward to some very cool features, and instead, I find Sonar X1 to have made a quantum leap backward in usability. Patches and banks end up with unintelligible names, I'm constantly fighting with the cursor to make it do what it's always done naturally in the past, and I'm continuously having to go multiple levels deep for menus that were easily located before. I'm a software engineer by trade (my day job) and I work with Sonar on the weekends for the pleasure of arranging and orchestrating music. After giving this a go for more than three weekends, I'm finished. I wish I had a way to get my $$ back. Be warned all you potential upgraders, be warned. Sonar X1 is a colossal failure when it comes to usability - something I value in a DAW. Thanks for your time.

Yes I wish you could get your money back also-I am so tired of hearing "I started with the Flintstone version of Sonar, way back, you know, when.
It's a collosal failure for you and some others. Not for all of us.
BTW, I was way before the Flintstone version came out- CW BC Pro

For people tired of hearing things they dont' like I recommend:
1. Ear muffs,
2. Fingers in ears,
3. Don't listen.
4. Learn to like what you're hearing.
5. Ignore the comments and let them pass.
 
Of the things I recommend, I prefer 5.
Other than inflaming a situation where people already feel 'touchy' those sort of comments don't help. This forum, being as it is a peer to peer forum owned and run by Cakewalk, is the only venue where any expression positive or negative about Cakewalk's software has any relevance.
 
What I don't get is why can't people be negative about a piece of software without having to endure a possible (now getting more likely) hostile response by someone who wants to take on another user's whinge and escalate it into a personal battle to be won.
 
Sheesh! How about a bit of tolerance. Another point befoer I duck for cover. In the real world where we interact face to face with folks; we have the means to eliminate them form our immediate circle for one reason or another. If a person regularly gets up your nose; just block them.
 
 

Actually, this is one of the better X1-thrads I've read lately...

IMO, Sonar X1 wasn't an expected upgrade. Usually all version updates have been the same Sonar with more "something" added and a few fixes here and there. With X1 we didn't upgrade to "Sonar" any more, it's more like a completely new DAW in which we might feel familiar or we don't. And with a completely new DAW comes the teething problems that we've seen so many debates over and I'm not trying to start another "this is poor coding" discussion here (I sincerely feel for those who've had the enormous problems). However, IMO Cakewalk have done a great job in updating X1 to a very stable DAW on most systems and with VERY little problems for me before, it's absolutely a dream to work with on my DAW - stability wise - now. I suppose that the GUI is where the teething problems still remain but as Sonar X1 reach puberty (probably in the next version update) we will see great enhancements to the GUI. I don't have any personal problems with colour or sizes or anything - that's my opinion. But I have eyes and can see that it's still a little bulky. I have no problems with the new workflow because honestly, I was incredible sick and tired of the old Sonar so all is good in my studio. 

But the points made about abbreviations, small FXbin with big blue buttons, oversized buttons, colour customizations and pretty much every thing mentioned here - yes, I agree. Something must be done and I am sure it will. But I am very grateful that they have spent time on getting rid of many of the bugs that affected stability rather than focus on just the cosmetics. If the cosmetic will be added in a new X1(insert letter here) update or the next version, whatever that may be, then I'm betting on the next version. But I'm fine with that and I know others are too. I am pretty sure I will keep updating Sonar.

My point; I've never had any problems with people wanting to switch DAWs or go back to an older version of Sonar. IMO you might as well since you'll be learning a new DAW anyway and if X1 doesn't tickle your strings and you want to upgrade to something then why not try one of the others out there. After all, it's a tool to make music, not to keep you alive, as in: I'd be more upset if they stopped making new batteries for my pacemaker (if I had one - and they needed changing of batteries - which I don't know anything about). X1 was perfect for me, not for others. X1 may provide a more comfortable learning curve vs a completely new DAW but there's a learning curve none the less. If you're not willing to climb it, I truly understand but will give my Kudos to everyone who were reluctant but did it anyway. I hope it's good now

I'm off - merry weekend ya'll!


Marius