I love the smart tool

I like it very much myself.

Same here...   I prefer the X1 method vs. a number of dedicated tools.   I like that in the TV I can select, move and drag with the Smart Tool...  and in the PRV I can add and edit without ever switching tools - and X2 has improved that aspect for me.
 
 

I find the smart tool incredibly handy.  As Bristol_Jonesey said, it is well thought through.
 
I rarely choose another tool, although I do use "smart tool" + alt to bring up the scissor/split tool a lot.
 
It's just one of the many aspects of X1 and X2 that makes recording/editing so much easier, quicker and intuitive.

I like pressing D for draw and E for erase. 

S for select works real good too.

That system works so good I haven't seen a need to change it.

Actually, I'd like to go back to the SONAR 4 implementation when the PRV tools were at their best.

There are many examples of how fast you can work when your tool isn't automatically changing states in an effort to show you how smart it is.

Here's link to a 6 part video series showing Theordore Kruger rocking SONAR 4 which he used until recently because after SONAR V4 Classic Edition, Cakewalk started improving the PRV tools in a way that slowed him down.

Here's a link to a video where you will see that he recently switched to Presonus Studio One because Cakewalk has elected to cater to the preferences of fewer and fewer customers, year on year, for the past few years. Mr. Kruger spent a few years asking why Cakewalk messed up the PRV tool, and finally, like so many of us, he went off and found alternatives.


How come there aren't any killer PRV composing videos showing how slow SONAR X is?




The folks that have applauded the devolution of SONAR do seem very happy. 

Unfortunately, there are not enough SONAR X customers to float the operation... hence the lay offs and early retirements.







Personally, I like the option of pressing S, E, and D etc. and knowing exactly what tool I'm using and having that tool stay in it's selected state no matter how casually I position the cursor. That is a classic work flow that is likely to be around for a long time.

I look forward to a time when Cakewalk management learns how to consider ideas while implementing the best ones rather than just making changes for the sake of saying that changes were made. 


A practice that seems to please less and less customers, year on year, isn't sustainable.



all the best,
mike

Personally, I like the option of pressing S, E, and D etc. and knowing exactly what tool I'm using and having that tool stay in it's selected state no matter how casually I position the cursor. That is a classic work flow that is likely to be around for a long time.

 
Which is why you're still using 8.5, yes?
 
I also have S1, where the same "three tool" concept is in place.  So I know, without a doubt, that I prefer the Smart Tool method because I can go back and forth between the two PRVs.  Casually positioning the cursor just doesn't seem to be an issue for me.
 
I like listening to classic rock.  I like looking at classic cars.   Yet I prefer not to use classic SONAR.  
 

Here's a link to a video where you will see that he recently switched to Presonus Studio One because Cakewalk has elected to cater to the preferences of fewer and fewer customers, year on year, for the past few years. Mr. Kruger spent a few years asking why Cakewalk messed up the PRV tool, and finally, like so many of us, he went off and found alternatives.

While he obviously knows his stuff, I see nothing there that can't be done just as easily within Sonar and I'd argue with a more pretty interface although that is of course subjective.

I have no idea how Studio One works but I do know that in Sonar as soon as one switches back to the track view there's no need to swap tools to edit within that. If Studio One works that way as well I'd say that just further supports what a great idea a smart tool is, regardless of which program it is in. If it doesn't I'd say Studio One is missing a trick.

Pick your tool and learn it well would seem to be the way to go rather than fighting something that obviously doesn't work for you.

How come there aren't any killer PRV composing videos showing how slow SONAR X is?

I've got better things to do personally but maybe there's a future video in there somewhere.

Sonar 4 the classic edition? That is the first I've heard of it. I have heard of Sonar 4 because I have it. 

So he went to Studio One when Sonar 5 came out because he didn't like the smart tool? Is that true Mike? Its funny because it was Sonar 7 when CW introduced enhanced MIDI tools in the PRV. It was Sonar 8 when CW brought us the Free Edit tool (the precursor to the Smart tool). Oh I remember now it was Sonar 8.5 that you think is the best ever Sonar. It also had an enhanced free edit tool.

Funny Studio One came out in 2009 Sonar 5 came out in 2005.  

I like pressing D for draw and E for erase. 

S for select works real good too.

That system works so good I haven't seen a need to change it.

That's odd, because on my system D Expands/Collapses the Multidock, E Bypasses All Audio Effects and S Splits Selected Clips at Now Time, and this is their default function, I haven't changed a thing

I'm infatuated with the smart tool...and for me the X series is Sonar Classic.

While I liked Cakewalk pre X I really really disliked my mismanagement of all the floating windows. Used to drive me nuts.

Regards,

fitzj


While Presonus is a great piece of software its Interface is very dull and boring. Would anyone else agree on that? 

I'll chime in and agree to that.