Anderton

jpetersen

Paul P

jpetersen
3) "Insert" key > Little dialog to choose Audio or Midi track

My Insert key (which I haven't touched) just inserts a new track without asking anything.

Curious. I looked around for a preference setting that might influence this but found none.

It's based on the last track type you inserted. If you last inserted:
 

• Audio track = Insert adds audio track
• MIDI track = Insert adds MIDI track
• Instrument track = Insert adds MIDI track
• Track Folder = Inserts audio or MIDI track, depending on last track type inserted prior to inserting track folder
• Blank project (no tracks to provide precedent) =  Asks if you want to insert audio or MIDI track

 
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Ah, yes, that's right!

rlared
Meh. Cool I guess but not sure it was the best use of Cakewalks limited resources.

I (!) was just about to say that...

rlared
Meh. Cool I guess but not sure it was the best use of Cakewalks limited resources.

This new feature will help new customers and also make life easier for existing customers. Personally, I think it was a good investment. We have a lot more cool stuff coming. Some will appeal to new customers and others to existing users. 

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

rlared
Meh. Cool I guess but not sure it was the best use of Cakewalks limited resources.

This new feature will help new customers and also make life easier for existing customers. Personally, I think it was a good investment. We have a lot more cool stuff coming. Some will appeal to new customers and others to existing users. 

 
I understand what you're saying.  I'm just not sure this is going to provide enough value to users to justify Cakewalk's resources and also adding to the visual clutter with another button.  But that's just my personal opinion and I am often wrong.
 
I am wondering though in general, how does Cakewalk evaluate what features to tackle next?  Is there some process where user feedback is considered and then the features are prioritized according to the most value?  Or is it just that the group of devs thinks it will be valuable?  I ask because there are some items listed as features to be included in Spring 2016 that don't strike me as something that many users would really ask for.

I like this a lot.  
 
Good work Bakers... Keep backing those treats!!!

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

rlared
Meh. Cool I guess but not sure it was the best use of Cakewalks limited resources.

This new feature will help new customers and also make life easier for existing customers. Personally, I think it was a good investment. We have a lot more cool stuff coming. Some will appeal to new customers and others to existing users. 

That makes sense, given that last month was Patch Point/Aux Track enhancements, Melodyne 4, and power user optimizations. 

I think a lot of folks are waiting for the ability to change the interface skins and the revamped mastering plugs. Something that I know I really want. There's many threads where people are complaining about work around's and glitches that they've become tired of over the years. That's why I didn't do a back-flip when new cool feature was a menu that does things I can already do.
 
I don't think the bakers and bakettes should feel a need to defend their decisions. They do what they think is best. Not being thrilled by those decisions doesn't make me a Sonar hater. I mean, they must want feedback, because a feedback portal is in the works. It's another feature that won't elicit a back-flip from your truly.

ampfixer
...Not being thrilled by those decisions doesn't make me a Sonar hater...

This goes for me, too. After all, I just paid up for another year.
 
I agree we all benefit from new usership but Sonar was never entry-level. I use other DAWs, too, some with a reputation of being easier. None have dedicated Insert buttons, everyone gets Insert menus.
 
A far more powerful attractor is reading in other forums people asking for features "...like in Sonar." Sonar would be irresistible if its undisputed feature-richness could be reinforced by a spreading reputation for a frictionless user experience.

I will still use the insert key on my keyboard.
Never had a problem with adding tracks.

SteveStrummerUK

rlared
Meh. Cool I guess but not sure it was the best use of Cakewalks limited resources.

Indeed.
 
For example, I would have much rather the time and effort had been put into (finally) doing something about the appalling graphics that show whether a VST plug-in on or off.
 
I'm sorry, but with my eyesight, I simply cannot tell the difference between such similar shades of grey:
 

I totally agree.  I think little tweaks like this would make an awful lot of Sonar users very happy.  In this case it would  make it obvious to new users that a plugin is turned on or off, rather than questioning it at first glance and thinking "Oh, it'd be better if it lit up when it's ON".  Kind of seems like a no brainer really.  
 
I hope UI solutions like this get bumped up the "to do" list, and that the Add Track Menu is just the begining of an improved cleaner look for Sonar.  Unify everything to a common theme, pop ups, menus, dialog boxes, fonts, the whole lot.  Achieve visual continuity across the entire application.  If nothing else it'd sure look pretty!