Helpful ReplyIs it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 700?

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brunovaltho
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2015/02/25 13:23:25 (permalink)

Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 700?

Hi guys!
I have wrist, hand, muscle pains...
I'm looking for a solution using the mouse as less as possible.
Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 700?
Thanks a lot! :)
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Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/25 15:17:15 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:14:32
Hi
You can do a lot with a control surface, but I'm afraid you cannot go completely without a mouse, especially when it comes to editing ...
 
yet, with the VS-700 (which must be the best integrated available surface) i think you could do without the mouse for long periods ...
 
... recording/tracking: with good templates in place, virtually mouse free ... 90-95% of all actions @ vs-700 is the estimate for myself (what remains for mouse are routing issues, direct monitoring headphone mixes, and other minor things) - i could potentially push it a bit higher w/ key bindings and other tricks (depends a bit if you just record your own band where you could optimize to perfection or if you do client work requiring different workflows)
 
... cleaning/editing tracks: 0% for me as I always forget how to do @vs-700 because mouse is so convenient, i reckon you could do some percentage, but no chance for comping or melodyne work ... so the solution would be to keep recording until you/your client totally nails the take ;-)
 
... mixing: virtually mouse free, close to 100% for me - if you learn all shortcuts to add/mute/delete plug-ins, have a good custom ACT mapping, select/nudge clips from the v-700 ...
 
OK, plus a keyboard and knowing keyboard shortcuts to fill in on a few new features that vs-700 never adopted/doesn't have enough buttons for (changing screen sets, ...)
 
i hope that info helps ...
 
PS: when trying to optimize your workflow, keep reading this forum and asking the guys ... this is a tremendous resource for ideas and how-to's
post edited by FreeFlyBertl - 2015/02/25 15:24:29

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Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture)   Control-Surface: VS-700C 
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OldTimerNewComer
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/25 17:10:14 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:14:36
...Pardon me for butting in, but There Is A Way you might control your DAW without a Mouse...
Funny, but I was about to post a request for a way to upload a link to exactly what you describe.
 
If You could Help me with that (lengthy info, plz. p.m. me for the skinny) and pass this offer on to mister
Anderton I would appreciate it (Craig I welcome your p.m. also).
 
    I have not posted a lot but have LURKED around this joint since Sonar 2XL, and after seeing how
helpful E1 is, I have always wanted to contribute to the community...
 
Perhaps this will be MY opportunity, and my efforts will help a few folks like you, Aixmusajo.
 
Peace.
Mel

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#3
Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 01:28:10 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:14:41
OldTimerNewComer
...Pardon me for butting in, but There Is A Way you might control your DAW without a Mouse...


now you made me curious, yet you don't even hint how to do it ...
pls let us in ... unless of course it's something commercial & top secret you develop and can't share it upfront ;-)

GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER
  +++   Visit the Rehab   +++
 
DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600
Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture)   Control-Surface: VS-700C 
VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really) 
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jimkleban
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 08:52:12 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:14:44
Sonar is very robust with TOUCH enabled for a touch screen.
 
Jim
 

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azslow3
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 09:42:42 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:14:49
aixmusajo
I have wrist, hand, muscle pains...
I'm looking for a solution using the mouse as less as possible.

Excuse me in case I am thinking in wrong direction, but have you tried usual mouse replacement?
I mean track ball, touchpad or stick. They all required finger movements only and can be used as fast as a mouse after some training. Good consoles are relatively big (V-700 width is 28 inches).

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www.azslow.com - Control Surface Integration Platform for SONAR, ReaCWP, AOSC and other accessibility tools
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brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 12:20:32 (permalink)
OldTimerNewComer
...Pardon me for butting in, but There Is A Way you might control your DAW without a Mouse...
Funny, but I was about to post a request for a way to upload a link to exactly what you describe.
 
If You could Help me with that (lengthy info, plz. p.m. me for the skinny) and pass this offer on to mister
Anderton I would appreciate it (Craig I welcome your p.m. also).
 
    I have not posted a lot but have LURKED around this joint since Sonar 2XL, and after seeing how
helpful E1 is, I have always wanted to contribute to the community...
 
Perhaps this will be MY opportunity, and my efforts will help a few folks like you, Aixmusajo.
 
Peace.
Mel


Hi OldTimerNewComer!
Very interesting! Can you explain more simply what I should do?
Thanks!
#7
brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 12:21:48 (permalink)
FreeFlyBertl
Hi
You can do a lot with a control surface, but I'm afraid you cannot go completely without a mouse, especially when it comes to editing ...
 
yet, with the VS-700 (which must be the best integrated available surface) i think you could do without the mouse for long periods ...
 
... recording/tracking: with good templates in place, virtually mouse free ... 90-95% of all actions @ vs-700 is the estimate for myself (what remains for mouse are routing issues, direct monitoring headphone mixes, and other minor things) - i could potentially push it a bit higher w/ key bindings and other tricks (depends a bit if you just record your own band where you could optimize to perfection or if you do client work requiring different workflows)
 
... cleaning/editing tracks: 0% for me as I always forget how to do @vs-700 because mouse is so convenient, i reckon you could do some percentage, but no chance for comping or melodyne work ... so the solution would be to keep recording until you/your client totally nails the take ;-)
 
... mixing: virtually mouse free, close to 100% for me - if you learn all shortcuts to add/mute/delete plug-ins, have a good custom ACT mapping, select/nudge clips from the v-700 ...
 
OK, plus a keyboard and knowing keyboard shortcuts to fill in on a few new features that vs-700 never adopted/doesn't have enough buttons for (changing screen sets, ...)
 
i hope that info helps ...
 
PS: when trying to optimize your workflow, keep reading this forum and asking the guys ... this is a tremendous resource for ideas and how-to's




Thanks a lot FreeFlyBertl for taking the time to give me such a detailed answer! Very usefull thanks!
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brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 12:22:55 (permalink)
jkleban
Sonar is very robust with TOUCH enabled for a touch screen.
 
Jim
 


 Hi Jim!
What do you exactly manage to do with touchscreen?
Thnaks!
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 13:15:30 (permalink)
You should be able to do most everything via touch. 

Best
John
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/26 16:08:57 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:15:11
Ok, I just wanted to give you the opportunity to work your issue out privately in case the subject of
your injury is sensitive to you.
 
I can better show you in steps than trying to verbally describe what you need to do so bear with me...
At the End I will provide an example from a script I'm planning to gift to the Sonar Community
once it is finished.
 
The One Hint I give involves the origin of my project.
I am a saxophonist who writes his own stuff.
During one of my solo sessions moving from the Mic to my Console Became A Big PITA.
 
I began a search through about 10 diff. software and ended up working with a program by a guy named
Carl Kenner(I think) called Glovepie.
The last three letters are an anagram meaning PROGRAMMABLE INPUT EMULATOR.
 
the short explanation relative to your issue is that Glovepie will take an input from
ANY Windows O.S. input (including a MICROPHONE) and convert it to a keystroke,
or combination keystrokes, any standard midi message or OSC (open music system)
message you choose, basically allowing almost Complete Control of Sonar (or any other DAW)
using only your voice.
 
Following are three script examples I  use often to control Sonar (I'm about 90 percent finished).
 
 
Example 1.
//*DOUBLE SLASHES ARE USED TO COMMENT OUT A LINE OF SCRIPT :)*
//=LINES STARTING WITH "SAY" denote an audio response from the Windows voice recognition service.
//=LINES STARTING WITH "SAID" denote an audio input from you.
//ANYTHING YOU WANT THE COMPUTER TO SAY, OR HEARD AS AN
//INPUT FROM YOU MUST BE ENCLOSED IN QOUTES ("").
// - example functions for controlling a Digital Audio Workstation -
 
//Module A1 - desktop control - ("general use commands")
//Example Module - (start Glovepie Conditional Listening Mode)
//"only responds to commands when specific conditions are met"
//(!all functions must be inside the variable "if statement")
 
//if said("Start listening, 5") then
//   var.listen = true
//end if
 
//if said("Stop listening, 5") then
//   var.listen = false
//end if
 
//if var.listen
 
//   if said("hello x", 5) or said("x listen up", 5) then
//      say("hello")
//   end if
//   if said("goodbye x", 5) or said("x shut up", 5) then
//      say("goodbye")
//   end if
//end if
 
Key.Escape = said("cancel that.") Key.Enter = said("execute")
 
if said("open notepad", 5) then
   say("opening notepad")   
   Execute("C:\Windows\system32\notepad.exe")
end if
 
if said("open google", 5) then
   Execute("http://www.google.com/")
   say("opening google")
end if
 
Example 2.
//global parameters
 
if said("I'm done with you", 5) then
    say("stopping...")
    wait 1 seconds
    ExitProgram    //...the command for stopping the Glovepie program
end if
 
if said("kill that") then
    say("no problem")
    wait(100ms)
    key.LeftAlt + F4 = true
    key.LeftAlt + F4 = false
end if
 
Example 3.
//Module 001 - (Hardware Setup - m.i.d.i.)
//Hardware Setup
//   midi2.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//   midi3.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//   midi4.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//   midi5.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//   midi6.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//   midi7.channel1.DefaultChannel = true
//
//Module 005 - SONAR Control Mode ...
//enable Sonar_X3/Platinum_Control
       
        if Said("Let's make some music", 6) or Said("Sonar Control Mode", 6) then
            var.Cake = true
            wait 2 seconds
            execute("C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\SONAR X3 Producer\SONARPDR.exe")
            say "Sonar control mode engaged"
            wait 3000 ms
            say "Ring me if you need me"
        end if
           
        if Said("Let's blow this joint.", 6) then
            var.Cake = false
            say "packing it in..."
            wait 2 seconds
            say "good-bye."
        end if
 
        if said("Sonar control mode status") then
            if var.Cake
                say("Platinum, or X three, mode is enabled")
            else
                say("Platinum, or X three, is disabled")
            end if   
         end if
//=================================================================//
//Platinum/X3E controls
 
if var.Cake
//=================================================================// //["AudioLand"]//...
//Note...all commands with "everything" belong on ch16...
 
//Basic Commands...
execute("C:\Expand_collapse MultiDock.vbs") = said("toggle MultiDock", 5)
execute("C:\Help.vbs") = said("launch Help", 5)
execute("C:\Minimize_restore MultiDock.vbs") = said("Minimize MultiDock", 5)
execute("C:\Minimize_restore MultiDock.vbs") = said("Restore MultiDock", 5)
execute("C:\preferences.vbs") = said("show preferences", 5)
execute("C:\Show AudioSnap Palette.vbs") = said("audio snap", 5)
execute("C:\Show Tools HUD.vbs") = said("Tools", 5)
execute("C:\Zoom in horizontally.vbs") = said("Zoom in horizontally", 5)
execute("C:\Zoom out horizontally.vbs") = said("Zoom out horizontally", 5)
//Browser Commands...
//=================================================================
execute("C:\[PlugIns]Audio.vbs") = said("show audio plugins", 5)
execute("C:\[PlugIns]Instruments.vbs") = said("show instruments", 5)
execute("C:\[PlugIns]MIDI.vbs") = said("show midi plugins", 5)
execute("C:\[PlugIns]RewireDevices.vbs") = said("show ReWire Devices", 5)
execute("C:\InsertSynth.vbs") = said("Insert Synth", 5)
execute("C:\SwitchToMedia.vbs") = said("Switch To Media", 5)
execute("C:\SwitchToPlugIns.vbs") = said("Switch To PlugIns", 5)
execute("C:\SwitchToSynth.vbs") = said("Switch To Synth", 5)
execute("C:\Toggle_Auto_Preview.vbs") = said("Toggle Auto Preview", 5)
execute("C:\TogglePlay.vbs") = said("Toggle Play", 5)
execute("C:\ToggleView.vbs") = said("Toggle View", 5)
 
...You get the idea...
(five stars to any one who can tell me why I am using .vbs files).
 
I don't have a link but it's easy to find.
 
The program is free, but care is needed as I believe Mr. Kenner's oldest site was hacked a few years ago,
Use a trusted site.
 
Would love it if anyone else could chime in with their experience.
I love it.
 
Mel
p.s. ...you will either need to use 2 separate audio interfaces, your interface with the on-board audio
on your motherboard, or run Sonar under MME. ASIO doesn't share drivers, and if you don't want
Windows interrupting your flow, uncheck allow apps to have exclusive control of your audio in your
Windows audio devices control panel.
 
I use a wireless headset.
The more you train your voice in the regular win vr program,
the better this will work.
post edited by OldTimerNewComer - 2015/02/26 17:02:13

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Core i7 2600k @3.8 Ghz via XMP memory  setting.
AMD Radeon HD6450 CE 2GB DDR3 video.
Corsair DDR3 1600Mhz (32 Gig). 
Kingston 512 GB SSD(OS/Software).
WD 500 GB SATA(data) + 1 TB external.
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40(FW)-v3.4.
Windows 10 Pro
Sonar Platinum Jamaica Plains Update
________________________________________
 
Ultimately YOU will be the hardest to convince that the Cake is done... Finish it.
 
My Stuff:
https://www.reverbnation.com/skeletonkrew9
 
#11
brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/27 04:42:50 (permalink)
Waouhhh! Amazing!
Thanks a lot Mel!! :)
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jimkleban
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/27 07:29:07 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:15:52
AIX.....
 
Your finger becomes the mouse pointer and the screen the mouse button, then add gestures to the equation and you can scroll through tracks or measures by just swiping.
 
I have a 27 inch touch enabled monitor but as cool as this is, I still use the mouse for most admin stuff (file open), insert FX, change parms on FX, etc.)
 
For remote control, I use MS remote PC facility.  I have a NON PRO surface and simply carry it to the tracking room to control the transports in SONAR.... you get a touch enabled session of your DAW on the remote desktop.  This is quite cool in that I can record, playback listen, and then re record if I don't like the results, all without walking back to the PC running SONAR.
 
Jim

The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI
www.lldom.com
 
Studio Cat Custom i7 with Thunderbolt (wonderful system built and configured by our own Jim R)
Apollo Duo (via TB)
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UAD Duo
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4 SSD for programs and sample libraries
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#13
OldTimerNewComer
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/02/27 08:30:13 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:15:57
I have almost finished a script that controls about 95% of Sonar's Control surface interface,
comping interface, track automation Volume, Pan, Mute, Send Enable & send cycling
as well as every Top Menu command in Sonar Platinum.
 
Using a combination of Key Binding , m.i.d.I., Cakewalks Generic Control Surface extension,
VBS to keep Sonars window focused(Glovepies ONE drawback is requiring window focus to work)
and OSC to run my plugins on another machine using REAPER as a ReWire Slave
I can park myself and concentrate on a good sax solo,
while controlling Sonar with my voice and wireless headset.
 
It (the script) also controls a lot of normal desktop stuff like moving windows, executing files and
applications, querying databases (e.g. Performance info, Math functions,)
modular, programmable speech to text and variable setting so that certain commands only
work when explicit conditions are met (ala "Dragon").
 
The cool part is that every one of these commands are
triggered by VR, and sent DIRECTLY from Glovepie.
Pretty cool.
 
I will be uploading it for whomever might find it useful as soon as it is done and I figure
out how to do it.
 
AIX, I know you will be able give your
HANDS a rest, at least.
 
Mel

Asus Sabertooth Z77. OCZ "Stealth" PSU 700w. 
Core i7 2600k @3.8 Ghz via XMP memory  setting.
AMD Radeon HD6450 CE 2GB DDR3 video.
Corsair DDR3 1600Mhz (32 Gig). 
Kingston 512 GB SSD(OS/Software).
WD 500 GB SATA(data) + 1 TB external.
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40(FW)-v3.4.
Windows 10 Pro
Sonar Platinum Jamaica Plains Update
________________________________________
 
Ultimately YOU will be the hardest to convince that the Cake is done... Finish it.
 
My Stuff:
https://www.reverbnation.com/skeletonkrew9
 
#14
brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/03/01 04:50:25 (permalink)
Super!!! :) Thanks a lot Mel!!
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OldTimerNewComer
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/03/01 06:14:29 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby aixmusajo 2015/03/11 14:16:01
no problem. you are welcome.
Give me about a week and I'll PM you when it's
done.
 
 
Mel

Asus Sabertooth Z77. OCZ "Stealth" PSU 700w. 
Core i7 2600k @3.8 Ghz via XMP memory  setting.
AMD Radeon HD6450 CE 2GB DDR3 video.
Corsair DDR3 1600Mhz (32 Gig). 
Kingston 512 GB SSD(OS/Software).
WD 500 GB SATA(data) + 1 TB external.
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40(FW)-v3.4.
Windows 10 Pro
Sonar Platinum Jamaica Plains Update
________________________________________
 
Ultimately YOU will be the hardest to convince that the Cake is done... Finish it.
 
My Stuff:
https://www.reverbnation.com/skeletonkrew9
 
#16
brunovaltho
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Re: Is it possible to control sonar X3 or Platinium without a mouse? How? With Roland VS 7 2015/03/04 15:52:53 (permalink)
John
You should be able to do most everything via touch. 


Hi John!
Can you edit with touchscreen?
Thanks!
#17
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