Start/stop is not the issue here. It doesn't actually sync to midi clock as I speed up/slow down the external clock. And sonar's tempo display never changes. I worked with a forum member ( FBB) on trying to resolve this, and I am absolutely sure that he has it working more or less correctly. (He could not get sonar's tempo to display correctly but could hear sonar change tempo.). We confirmed my settings were in line with his setup. I can only conclude from this that sonar's midi sync is sensitive to the type of signal it is receiving when slaved.

When I use Sonar as a slave it is sync'd to a drum machine, either a Zoom MRT-3 or an Alesis SR-16. 
 
As Brando has mentioned the issue I have is that the tempo changes aren't recorded as such within Sonar, although they do happen in real time. Other than that it works for my needs, which are not extensive by any stretch of the imagination so perhaps I've never really bumped into any limitations, simply because my needs are fairly simple.

Sonar can be configured to sync to midi, audio, or internal. However, it has been my understanding that as soon as there is audio in the project Sonar insists on audio timing. That might even include the case where there are no audio tracks, but synth tracks even if none are frozen. If that is true, it would cause all of the above frustration. However, the idea of locking timing to audio tracks does make sense when an audio recording has already dictated tempo.
 
Both audio and internal timing derive tempo from the tempo track. MIDI timing gives Sonar no information about tempo per se, just clock events that Sonar follows to spool out notes when they become due. The tempo track is just ignored. Recording tempo is not a Sonar thing. (though there is a way to recast measure boundaries)

.........And really, if SONAR insists on audio sync (when audio is present)... Shouldn't it gray out the option for midi sync- instead of fooling users into thinking they can actually slave and sync?

Hi Dave. Thanks for chiming in. Your knowledge of sonar is amazing. I get it - and could have saved myself the investment and aggravation. Yes, as you say, syncing to a fixed tempo is no problem, (but also no good to me).
I really just need to hope Cake decides to provide a way to automate tempo. (Not sure that's the solution for everyone looking for midi sync as slave when using softsynths, though).
Thanks to you (and also to BVideo) for pointing out the 'limitation'/design constraint. At least we have a definitive answer.
Much appreciated and thanks again for the help.

Brando

Anderton
I can also vouch that SONAR syncs to external clock...I've done it with everything from another computer to a Korg M3.
 
But as pointed out in the previous post, the device transmitting has to be set up correctly for whatever is synching to it. For example some MIDI masters have options for sending just MIDI clock, MIDI clock+start/stop commands, song position pointer, etc.

FastBikerBoy
I'm not sure of the cause of your issue but it is definitely possible to slave Sonar to external equipment. I do that myself regularly, mainly with a couple of drum machines.
 
Here's my sequence
 

1. Open Preferences--->Project--->Clock and set to "MIDI sync"
2. Press play in Sonar. At this stage the transport message will read "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync"
3. Press start or play on an external device. Sonar should start, or does here anyway.

Does that not work for you?
 
 
 
 

FBB - Does this also work for Tempo changes from the master device? I can't get Platinum to follow a tempo change, (albeit in a 'McGyver'd' setup). SONAR starts and syncs correctly, but won't change tempo, which sounds like the issue the OP was having.
I am just running some experiments now trying to get Midi-OX to transmit Midi Sync to SONAR so I can trial making tempo change adjustments in SONAR to see how it performs. I am looking to buy or build a box for live Tempo adjustment of SONAR (or another DAW, using an encoder or fader).
This seems to be the case for both Midi Sync and MTC/SMPTE, but it may be a limitation of Midi Ox. I just don't want to invest in something specifically for Tempo Control if SONAR can't do what I need it to do.
Just looking for confirmation that current version SONAR responds to Tempo Change from a master device when configured to work as a MIDI slave - It's quite possible my little experiment isn't real life capable.
Thanks!
 
 

I just received this thing (I don't consider it a reply as it's pure confusion to me) from tech support.

--Sonar Tech Response-
****************************
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MAIL.
To reply to the message visit http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3317126
****************************
bvideo at November 17, 15 11:10 AM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Syncing Sonar tempo to match external MIDI clock
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sonar can be configured to sync to midi, audio, or internal. However, it has been my understanding that as soon as there is audio in the project Sonar insists on audio timing. That might even include the case where there are no audio tracks, but synth tracks even if none are frozen. If that is true, it would cause all of the above frustration. However, the idea of locking timing to audio tracks does make sense when an audio recording has already dictated tempo.

Both audio and internal timing derive tempo from the tempo track. MIDI timing gives Sonar no information about tempo per se, just clock events that Sonar follows to spool out notes when they become due. The tempo track is just ignored. Recording tempo is not a thing.

----------- End of Message -------------

EVIDENTLY the PERFECT MIDI SYNC, I'M GETTING IN ABLETON is a figment of my imagination! This does put me on the right path, use the Sonar Plug-ins, which I love so much, in ABLETON and "Be Happy". I would have preferred the simpler explanation that the external midi sync, in any version of Sonar, doesn't work. That answer would have satisfied me. The implication that I don't know what I'm doing was/is not appreciated nor is the Do Not Reply!

To everyone on the forum, I sincerely appreciate all the effort many of you have put forth, with respect for my quandary. In the event you find yourselves needing a sync for live play, I'll see you in the A Live forums.

bvideo
WilliamHenley:
 
Part of the thing you quote was not written by tech support, but by me. Probably because you "subscribed" to the thread, you received automatically generated email to say there was activity on the thread. "Do not reply" is just because the email was generated automatically by the forum software and no email reply by you would be posted to the thread. Hence it says "To reply to the message visit http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3317126" My post in this thread was not a reply specifically to you, but an observation that was meant to help several posters determine why MIDI sync "works" for some and not for others.
 
What may have confounded you even further is that the email you received has an initial version of my post that needed editing because I hit [Submit Post] instead of Preview. The link shows my more completely worded version. Sorry for any distress that may have caused.
 
Bill B.

Thanks for the clarification regarding my tech support misunderstanding as well as the effort trying to resolve the Sonar "MIDI SYNC" Quandary. I've honestly given up on the topic which is something I rarely do. With the exception of my "MIDI SYNC" issue, Sonar X3 and Platinum have, by far, the best feature content of any DAW available for the price. I guess this is the reason I'm so disappointed. Since it's introduction, Sonar has always been synonymous with Roland to me which is why I'm confounded by the lack of a simple sync function. I cannot place all blame on Cakewalk as I could not resolve my sync issue in X3 and still purchased Platinum hoping I would eventually solve the mystery.

At least I can use a large percentage of the Sonar Platinum plug-ins in a more sync friendly daw.

FastBikerBoy

1. Press play in Sonar. At this stage the transport message will read "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync"

I am trying to sync the Finale notation program using LoopMIDI.  It seems to be working now.  However, along the way, Finale wasn't sending sufficient info.  When that happened, Platinum displayed the "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync" and then just hung.  There was no way to interrupt it.  I had to blast Platinum out of the water.  This cannot be right.