can record, everything else is beyond ridiculously hard

simple stuff like taking two tracks putting them in a folder in a song that already has one folder.  can I not make another folder.  Tracks are supposed to go into a folder right?  Also, how do I take two tracks copy them, (so I can mess with them- I am taking a vocal track and two guitar tracks that I want to edit for a commercial and adding an audio speaking part and clipping to size, etc, without destructive editing and then finishing it up).  It seems like the learning curve on basic processing is ridiculous.  What do you have to know to do basic things with this stuff?  I can't believe how hard this is.  Wandee

Ah yes! It looks like madoman comes from the "install, run and click randomly until things seem to fall into place" school of software training. I have to admit, I went to the same school. But in learning how to use DAW's, I finally conceded that it was beyond me and that I'd have to read a manual (or a good book) sooner or later. 

madoman


Tracks are supposed to go into a folder right?  

thats the first i have heard of that....  so the answer is "no", or "it depends" tracks are just tracks.. what you do with them is up to you.
 
Sonar has a bunch of tutorials that come with the program... they were written for good reason and are highly recommended to avoid frustrating first time experiences.. trust me, you cannot use this program (or any DAW) without reference to the manual

I can't believe how relatively straight forward and intuitive Sonar is. Can't say how many times I've thought: "If I developed this I would have a context sensitive menu for this..." and then I right-click and voila`: there it is!

Of course I've watched every video I've ever seen referenced in this forum, read Scott's book (twice: 7 and X1) and lastly perused the Cakewalk X1 Help file. All of which seemed to help. Along with some great advice from folks here in this forum. Slowly I'm becoming more knowledgable.

Regards,

madoman - get ahold of one or more of the excellent X1/X2 videos and watch them from start to finish.  The videos help turn on a lot of bulbs where there was darkness before.  You will find yourself saying "aha!" at least once on every chapter.  Scott Garrigus' Power series books are also very helpful.

I did it, I did it!! I learned to move, edit, delete, automate (write, enable) haven't learned looping yet.  But wow.  the issue is this.  I got cakewalk Pro9 to start, then sonar 7.  However, I couldn't justify taking the time to learn how to do this stuff or even work on it.  My wife and I run an insurance agency in a small town (25k) in Western Kansas- we have an isolated pretty neat market of about 10000 households, a major regional medical center, a successful Division II college in a stable (3.4% unemployment) economy.  We are 52&51 with a 7 and 11 year old.  Our business manages about 2.3 million dollars of people's money going 15 directions.  As many have seen since 2007 our same book of business takes 20% more work and pays 20% less.  so, every spare moment I have is applied to surviving and managing my business and my family.  
so, I got this idea to do radio ads- I have a very popular local talk radio station (conservative in an extremely conservative area) that will allow me to do a $250 a month program and be in their advertising rotation.  We started.  Got me a little Focusrite (I like the name- focus is a big deal with me!) USB Interface, NT1A rode mic, Sennhieser cans and we're off to the races!
I put together some excellent stuff! for radio that is and local market and relatively fast, original catchy believable, etc.  I don't have at this point a managerial /corporate spin that is putting me in a box. Plus what I am doing is very non liable.  
The response has been fantastic- probably about 35 days and over 20 people have called or told us out and about that they heard our ads and really liked them.  One guy said it is neat to hear refreshing guitar and an optimistic voice interspersed with Rush Limbaugh.  
I don't listen to Rush Limbaugh (just Rush!).  Having a blast here in Kansas.  Wandee

It's called Cakewalk University, but it is not really a 4-year college, and you do not need a Masters.

You do need to learn enough to do the basics, and running through some videos or doing a few of the tutorials is not a giant commitment of time.

Take a 1/2 day and get up to speed, or not, your choice.

We are here to help, but you need to invest of yourself as well.

Bob Bone

Don't forget that Sonar does ship with some basic tutorial with the manual. That was how I got started. Glad to hear that you are making money with Sonar!