Change Key of Multiple Tracks

I frequently want to temporarily change the key of a midi composition with multiple tracks.  Using the KEY tool on the track inspector is a simple way to do it, but I have not found a way to do it on all tracks simultaneously.  Is there a way?  If there is, I'd perfer that approach rather than transposing all the tracks.
 
I tried to send my midi outputs thru a subgroup bus, but it seems that those buses must not be for midi tracks.
 
..    Tony
..    HP Pavilion P6000, Windows 7 - 64bit, Sonar X2 Studio (build 306) x64, Tascam US-144 mkII

Unfortunately, the Key+ parameter doesn't respond to the Quick Group function. So you'll have to actually change the data on the tracks as follows... select all melodic tracks (don't select any percussion tracks). Then choose Process > Transpose.

To change the tracks back quickly, just press Ctrl+Z to undo. Or you can use the Transpose function to transpose them back to their original values.

Scott


--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
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Like Dave said, it's pretty fast and easy to use the transpose function. Just remember to leave your drum track out of the equation. 

I often build a bed track for people this way and then they can change there mind about the key the song is in at last minute. Then I can start adding audio tracks once key and tempo are nailed down.

Global Midi transpose on the old school sequencers used to automatically exclude channel 10. Sonar might have this feature hidden away somewhere but I haven't found it. So just hold down the Ctrl key as your highlight with mouse. 

vintagevibe


They removed that functionality in X1.  If you need try different keys it's a cumbersome, amateurish process in Sonar.

I agree but that still isn't helping this guy who has a question, I thought this was about helping people ?

Transpose is the quickest & easiest option.

Bear in mind that some chord voicings might not sound "correct" after being transposed and you may have to manually work out a different inversion that fits with the music.

Jlien X

garrigus

... select all melodic tracks (don't select any percussion tracks). Then choose Process > Transpose.

Scott, I thought you were going to tell the OP the quickest way you have shown us in your video.....select all tracks and enter "+" or "-" and the desired value in the Pitch field of Event Inspector. 

Hey Jlien...


That's true! Although, the Transpose feature does have a Diatonic option in case you need that.


But for anyone that hasn't see the free video...


* Cakewalk SONAR: Event Inspector Editing
http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/video.asp?ID=7


And more videos here: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/videos.asp

Thanks for the reminder!

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

chuckebaby

I liked that video Scott, it was very informative, the commercials, not so much  :) 

Thanks, Charlie!

Yeah, sorry about the commercials, but the video is free so I think it's a fair trade off.  

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

I appreciate everyone’s responses.  Thank you.  But I’m getting the idea that transpose is the best way to go - PHOOEY!
I may not have made it clear in my question that I realize that using transpose is a good work-around.  But that’s what I consider it – just a work-around.  I don’t particularly like it because: 1) it makes the staff view look ugly with all the accidentals, and 2) about 20% of the time I end up making a change and then inadvertently save the transposed version- when I come back two weeks later I’ve got to wonder and dig around trying to remember what key it was transposed from. 
The key change is slick.  It would be slicker if I could do all tracks at once. 
So I watch Scott’s video (very informative) but I can’t seem to figure out how to apply that to Sonar X2; where’s that Event Inspector in X2?  The inspector view I’m seeing applies to only one track at a time.   And that’s my original question – can I get that key change function to apply to multiple tracks in X2?
It seems the answer is simple: “No.”  And I’m stuck with using transpose.