Yucky Knobs

Agreed. See my prior post: msg 3337298
 
Allen
 

I agree,shouldn't have made them for sonar,cheapens it.Whether its fair or not,this is the kind of thing that makes other DAW users think sonar cannot for lack of a better phrase "run with the big boys/girls".Now obviously we know that is crap.Sonar could and should be in the top 5 DAWs.
I was annoyed that instead of releasing more pro channel modules(there have to be analogue gear left to model/are overloud,boz digital labs,and softtube that would want to make pro channel plugins of certain software right?
Instead if doing that they made those knobs,that in my opinion sound terrible,or better put not useful,and they look like silly toys.But I have had many sonar users(on Facebook)tell me they liked them or I was wrong for wanting more pro channel mid. from cakewalk/3rd parties because there are  "fx chains" and they seem to think cakewalk has released plenty.......I don't get it.

I just don't get anyone likes them....
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Style-Dials-compact-mode-m3337298.aspx
Guess no one wants pro channel modules,unless they are one knobs 

Since ProChannel in current implementation is a garbage collector, it is the right place to put some garbage
 
Explanation. In attempt to create something "new" and somehow keep old Filters functionality inside, CW has managed to introduce yet another FX Bin with proprietary programming interface and fixed size small GUIs which:
a) put chaos in FX construction logic (from audio processing point it is still just second FX bin)
b) has not logical limitations in the content (coming from Filters)
c) has not logical limitations in the interface
d) is not control surfaces friendly
 

Speed Dials are put in a separate group. If you don't like it - just don't click there and you won't see any SD at all. I honestly don't know what's not to like about SDs. They are easy to use, do the job and look great. Well, there are better tools just as there are better composers, engineers and producers. So what?

letyourlightshine
I thought sonar was to be a professional recording program ,although maybe that is not how they wan to market it.
Isn't though that what music creator is?A easy version for people who do not want to get in depth with music production?

I guess these knobs was thought primary for Creator, compare pictures from http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/Music-Creator with http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR
But since both programs have the same code base, they have made the feature available in both. I find "Sonar is Creator plus many professional features" more logical then "Sonar is Creator minus some features".
 

stevec
I completely disagree - I use PC a good 90% of the time over FX Bins.  And I find them anything but illogical.   This topic was discussed a lot early in the X series, and it seems that most either like and use them or will never like or use them.   I'm in the former group.   Although, I haven't used any SDs yet...

a) one and only one EQ (the only reason is former Filter interface support)
b) strangeness with Compressor (again Filter interface)
c) normal FX can not be places directly there. I know the GUI will not fit into strip, but why not use "fly out"?
d) why PC modules can not be used as "normal" VST FXes? They could have EXACTLY the same (small) GUI as in strip in case bigger make no sense, just draw it with VST standard API (instead of crashing, what most PC modules do now...). If I understand it correctly, Music Creator has no Pro Channel. And they manage to draw the same knobs.
 
I do not understand why someone can find all that "logical".
 
I am not against PC, the idea is great. I just want CW implement it properly, make API open standard (that is just several lines of code) and so harvest more PC modules developers.
 
Also merging FX bin and ProChannel (so ProChannel is an advanced FX bin) will also extent the group of people which like it to the whole community.

Leadfoot

azslow3
 
I am not against PC, the idea is great. I just want CW implement it properly, make API open standard (that is just several lines of code) and so harvest more PC modules developers.
 
Also merging FX bin and ProChannel (so ProChannel is an advanced FX bin) will also extent the group of people which like it to the whole community.

I think you should post this in the Features & Ideas forum. It's a great idea!

I have posted that long time ago: http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3123977
 

Not sure why I got  -1.I made clear I wasn't judging those who don't agree with me,Its just my opinion.

I only used the PC before because the FX bin could only display 3-4 plug-ins. I pretty much never used the included plug-ins, not that they were bad at all, but when you own the venerable Waves plugs, you tend to be a little biased to use their modeling expertise. With that said, Waves thought it would be divine to create the One-Knob series plug-in themselves. Cakewalk is following that logic, and I'm betting it's better for those who are unsure how to get great sounding tracks quickly without fiddling with multiple plug-ins, or the seasoned mixers who just want to quickly try things. Leave the technical out and create. I don't mind that.
 
I do agree they are a bit cartoony, but not nearly as bad as X2's waveform color schemes. They certainly could look worse. When you place these side-by-side with the Waves offerings, you can see the comparable logic in look/feel. Craig was careful to not introduce these in the e-Mag as a Cakewalk invention. Nevertheless, he did a fabulous job of explaining how they can be useful.

I also agree with any implications that it would be nice to have them outside Sonar or the PC. I don't use the ProChannel, not because I don't like it, but because you have to un-hide it. Any new FX that Cakewalk introduces there collect dust on my desk, unfortunately. 

Uhh... the Style Dials were/are something for the Sonar "Artist" version users to have and use in the PC whereas before they had no PC at ALL.
 
I think that was a very nice gesture of Cake to make their base version a little cooler/more useable for Artist users while at the same time letting them into the Prochannel workflow without giving away the farm.
 
This wasn't about us spoiled rotten Platinum and Studio users. We just got them because the screeching would be horrendous if the base package users got them and we didn't.
 
Also the original intent of the Style Dials way back in the day were as "placeholder" effects that could be inserted during tracking or project building or whatever to do various things one would normally do with more complex effects in the final mix. Apparently they were popular and got revived and now we have newer effects based on the same premise.
 
They did not remove anything. You don't need to use them. I will likely try them, maybe... but I don't expect them to replace what I'd normally use (and AFAIK they actually use various plugins in the Sonar package like the FX Chains do).
 
What's the problem?
 
As far as how things "look"? Who gives a fart?
 
No one is going to "hear" how they look.
 
Yeesh.

"As far as how things "look"? Who gives a fart?"
Those of us that feel it could have been done better.  Us.  We're the ones giving a fart!

I totally get why someone would want to use a one button effect. Once you get used to the sound they create, it's a very, very quick way to get a sound you're after. To create a scratch track for a yourself, client, a producer or even a mastering engineer, you don't have to fiddle with dozens of knobs and buttons to get the sound you want. It's right there, one step, and very easy to dial in (Much like a preset on any other effect). There are going to be users that will say they never use presets and create every sound in their FX from scratch. That's ok too, but there is always going to times when you just want to dial in a quick and easy effect.
As to the look of the knobs themselves, I find the graphic on the knob, and the name of each, easy to read and understand. I don't think it detracts at all from the sense that Sonar is a quality DAW.
I too have wondered why Cakewalk would want to put in what essentially amounts to a second, propriety FX bin. I do however find myself using it in preference to the standard FX bin, as the graphics and ease of use make it so much simpler to use than just about any other DAW's implementation of an FX bin.