Hello! I am returning once again to see if anyone can help resolve a persistent issue in Sonar (X1,X2,X3 or Platinum)
 
I am a composer for TV and film. I use Sonar. People send me MP4s and Quicktime files. These files import and open in Sonar but when I export audio from those sessions, they do not sync perfectly in other programs when using the same video file. They are off by up to a frame and a half  (The difference varies slightly in the different Sonar versions) - 
 
I test the same thing using ProTools and Sony Vegas without Sonar and there are no sync issues. Frame accurate sync when exporting and importing audio from the MP4 or quick time file back and fourth between those programs.
 
If I do the test in Sonar using an AVI file, I don't get the problems. Any exported audio syncs up perfectly in the other programs, so it's an issue with MP4/Quicktime files or the codecs used to create them.
 
Sonar seems to have a problem importing the MP4 or QT correctly on the time line so even though Sonar's time display and the burn-in time display on the video file are locked, Sonar exports any audio up to a frame and a half late. I'm having to manually resync any audio I create in another program before I can deliver it if I want it in perfect sync. 
 
- It is not a basic thing I'm overlooking in my setup (frame rate, sample rate etc)
- A half frame/1.5 frame out is not acceptable in film/tv audio (frame accurate is necessary) 
- Yes, I have looked into Codecs and don't seem to have any other problems. Although Sonar might prefer different codec packs, I've tested a bunch: Shark0007 K-Lite etc. All have same results
- I have tested this in every way possible, on different machines and with different versions of Sonar (post X)
 
*If someone out there has an advanced user/outside-the-box idea of what to try I would be forever grateful!
 PLEASE HELP!!!! And thank you!

I am a film composer too and have always just used AVI files because sonar seemed to like them better
I kept hoping that sonar would get better using QuickTime and mp4 files as time went by and we got new updates

dannyjmusic
I am a film composer too and have always just used AVI files because sonar seemed to like them better
I kept hoping that sonar would get better using QuickTime and mp4 files as time went by and we got new updates

Indeed, SONARworks best with native Windows format. Also AFAIK Apple has still not created a 64-bit Quicktime for Windows. 

Yes, AVIs always work great. But I have no time to convert the many hours of files i'm workin on. I need to "load and go" so to speak. They are also much larger in file size. MP$s do work now if you have LAV codecs etc. but this little sync issue persists. 
 
True that QuickTime 64 bit for windows isn't out, that made me think for a sec.. but... I don't have the issue inside ProTools (I have to deliver some shows in protools) or Sony Vegas when using MP4 or QT. It's got something to do with Sonar somehow.   
 
If anyone has an mp4 kicking around and wants to try loading it up in sonar, export a bit of the audio (BCW for ease) and reopen that audio with the original video in another DAW or Vegas etc. I'd be interested to see if anyone else notices the same problem. (The audio you export will be a little later when compared to the original MP4s audio inside another program. 
Thanks

AVI isn't an acceptable video format, this is 2016.
 
I have nothing to add other than I really hope Sonar provides more attention to modern VIDEO production.  I do weekly work having to export out of Sonar then into another video program that can actually work with real video.  

In my recent experience, Sonar Plat likes .wmv files best.

SONAR is also using Microsoft's new media platform, which hasn't fully matured. Some users have better results switching to the older video engine. 
 
I do know that Cakewalk is working with Microsoft on video, we'll see what transpires...

really, as much as i love sonar, it is a daw, not a video editor.
 
i use vegas for sync-type things. if i'm doing dialogue unless there are issues i can probably do all i need in vegas, i have many of the same plugins available. i'll bring a problem clip into sound forge if its really bad. 
 
i use sonar to work on individual music tracks (bedding) and when i need 1:22 of a song with vocals, i'll export 1:45 and make my cuts and sync in vegas.

dlion16
really, as much as i love sonar, it is a daw, not a video editor.
 
i use vegas for sync-type things. if i'm doing dialogue unless there are issues i can probably do all i need in vegas, i have many of the same plugins available. i'll bring a problem clip into sound forge if its really bad. 
 
i use sonar to work on individual music tracks (bedding) and when i need 1:22 of a song with vocals, i'll export 1:45 and make my cuts and sync in vegas.

It isn't about actually making edits to a video in Sonar (or at least not in my case, though that would be wonderful).
 
The fact that Sonar can't properly import and export industry standard type of files synced to the audio you have added is a pretty major shortcoming.  
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Tutorial8.1.html
 
The seemingly supported formats are Standard Def stuff that were obsolete years ago.  
 
 

I use Sonar as a DAW not a video editor, it doesn't do anything with video except play it. Even if you try to change the start time of the video it will likely crash.  
 
A great portion of DAW users are working with video, whether they are TV/film/game composers/sound designers or just people making youtube videos. Sonar should really take the time to ensure they are not behind the other DAWs when it comes to video and other basic functions. They clearly are. I think Sonar would only acquire more customers if they worked on these issues.
 
I think many Composers/sound designers pass on Sonar because of limited integration of professional and proper:
- Video 
- Score editor (not to change topic but the score editor is practically useless and getting worse)
- Midi functions that are important in film music: better control over tempo mapping, changing tempo without affecting midi etc. just to name a couple.
- Recording latency while using plugins  
 
Too much effort is being put into adding native plugins and soft synths that don't compete with third party ones that most professionals use anyways. They really need to get the basics working first. How hard can it be to look at these issues? This isn't someone ranting about the colors of the audio clips or nitpicking about small UI design features, these are things that separate Sonar from industry standard DAWs. Look at how many 3rd party utilities like UAD won't even add Sonar to their list of compatible programs, even though it is compatible.    
 
SONAR ROCKS, NOT PUTTING DOWN SONAR! But seriously, don't negate your pro users! Heck, make it work, charge more for it! (okay, I didn't say that...)