I like my SONAR Artist version, BUT, I have few working issues that most other DAW have them as their basic editing option.
 
1) Transposing a recorded audio up or down, the whole process takes ages (and permanent/destructive?). In other DAWs, this is like 1 second process and can hit CTL-Z and reverses.
2) If I like to manually adjust a recorded audio's level at a certain spot, splitting in two lines, then dragging the object down, reduces or adds gain. But not in SONAR Artist. Why? I know you can do it with automation, but why go to all that length? I just need a small section, a word to reduce the gain or add a small gain, automation is far too much to work with.
 
I hope Cakewalk can at least implement these two options to match up, or even overpass some of the other DAWs.
 
I like SONAR, but speed and ease of use for certain functions needed to be added.
 
P.S. If I have missed how to use these easy options, please do advise me.
 
Thanks again.

With regard to 2):
 
Clip Gain:
Hold Ctrl and click in the lower half of a clip, then as soon as you drag up or down a new Clip Gain envelope will be created to adjust the level only for this clip.
 
 

Klaus
With regard to 2):
 
Clip Gain:
Hold Ctrl and click in the lower half of a clip, then as soon as you drag up or down a new Clip Gain envelope will be created to adjust the level only for this clip.
 
 

Thanks. I swear I tried everything. Will try this now and hope it will work.
 
But I still prefer visual response to the clip gain modification, like many other DAWs.

Vatche
But I still prefer visual response to the clip gain modification, like many other DAWs.

"Many other people" prefer blue over red, not that it make mush sense for Sonar or music in general
My point, in case you like some particular feature in particular program, you can name it directly. From what I know, mentioning "Concurrent DAWs" in this forum is not forbidden. That will also can help other to understand what exactly you expect...
 
For 2: any temporarily volume change is an automation. Different people/DAW can use different word for it, but it is still an automation.
 
There are 2 automaton types in sonar, clip and track. Switch to the required view (default view is "Clip"), for example to "Clip automation / Gain". Select the region you want adjust, move mouse into the clip caption. The cursor will change and you can adjust the gain (with visual effect, what you mean by that?). The same works for track automation. The overall gain adjustment for the clip was already mentioned by Klaus.
 
For 1: there are several methods. For different purpose and with different quality.  From your description, you are looking for quick, not destructive real-time method. One possible approach: make the clip a Groove clip (Right-click, "Groove-clip looping"). In the track inspector, select "Clip" and there "Groove Clip" section. Adjust Pitch/Fine pitch parameters, works during playing and you can revert to zero any time.

Thanks. Both options I can work it now.
 
Much appreciated for the feedback.

Every DAW has their weak points and strong points.
Not all DAW's can do everything. some are better, easier to work with than others.
What you may find cumbersome in Sonar, Reaper has an easier approach, what you may find difficult in reaper, sonar has a feature that makes it simple.
 
What we do is create the imaginary scale with our hands and weigh out the pro's and con's.
the good's and the bad's. Then we make a choice.
I have found Sonar to do most of those things I want it to more than anything else out there and that's why I use it.
I didn't start using Sonar because I liked the look of the cakewalk logo
I started using it because it did what I wanted it too and it did it productively.
Through process and elimination I have landed here on planet Cakewalk.
 
With all this declared, I would like to see a easier way to control transposing audio with a twist of a knob.
I have no problem with gain automation. I've been doing it this way for years. its typically the first thing I do when handed a mix, I listen for imperfections, fix out of tune vocals, then go straight to gain adjustments.
this way you don't slam the snot out of a compressor with varying levels and volume automation is much easier in the end.
 
Chuck

I sill have my old SONAR X1 CD.
I do like lot of the options in SONAR Artist, I recently upgraded to. It does all the things I need for simple projects. I just could not work out those two issues and I thought they did not exist! Now I know how to do it. Thanks 
I use PreSonus Studio One V3 Pro as my main DAW for big projects.
I have SONAR Artist on my laptop, and it is perfect for outdoor, live, and simple quick projects, specially with my Yamaha AG03 Audio Interface.

Regarding transposition, I don't have Artist but I assume it uses the iZotope algorithm as Professional and Platinum for transposition. If so, yes it is destructive (although of course you can undo it). The reason it is slow is because offline processing allows for higher quality. These days computers have become fast enough that it's possible to do decent real-time transposition, but still, offline rendering will give better quality. The higher SONAR versions have Melodyne Essential, which does non-destructive, real-time transposition.