Is there a physical book explaining how to use Bandlab by Cakewalk?
 
Would the Platinum book do if I could find one?
 
I don't think I need instructions for recording audio but it would be nice to know how to pull up the synths and guitar processors - the only two slightly difficult technical tasks I'll need.  Editing midi information might require instructions too although it seems this version still has the Midi editing panel that was a part of prior Sonars (going back to 1) (or earlier) - I used to be good at manipulating that panel, whatever it was called, tightening up the midi notes after I'd recorded them, etc.
 
 

Can't say for sure re bandlab version (though I doubt it) but there hasn't been a physical book for Sonar for many years. Nothing much has really changed so far, so if you download the platinum reference manual it should have all the information you need. Failing that there's always scook.

Scott Garrigus done some nice Cakewalk books. Not sure if he did a Platinum one ,but if he did that would definitely help. See if you can google him.

My SONAR X3 Power book is still available. It doesn't cover new features added in Platinum, but many of the features are still the same, so it can help with those. You can find more info at: http://www.garrigus.com/
 
I'll also be putting new tutorials on my YouTube channel. Subscribe free and click the bell icon to be notified when new video tutorials are posted... https://www.youtube.com/ScottGarrigus?sub_confirmation=1

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://www.garrigus.com
* Cakewalk SONAR Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/u...gus?sub_confirmation=1
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Publisher of the DigiFreq music recording newsletter: http://www.digifreq.com/
* Publisher of the NewTechReview consumer tech newsletter: http://www.newtechreview.com/

+ 1 to the Sonar Power series.  I have owned several versions of that, including the latest X3 version, and it is always a nice alternative to have for some how-to instructions or a refresher on a rarely used topic.  It has a chapter on soft synths, and two chapters on effects.  Also a chapter on basic editing, and one on advanced editing.
 
The Sonar user manual is mostly a reference guide, other than a few tutorials, which are highly recommended for new users.
 
I'm sure most of the X3 info still applies to the core Platinum and CbB, with the exception of coverage for new or updated features since 2015.  The basics are still the same.
 
There is also a lot of info on these pages announcing the introduction of new feature in Platinum as they arrived, covering the period from 2015-2017.  https://www.cakewalk.com/.../SONAR/Whats-New#start
 
Look especially for links to the Tech + Music publications listed in the 2017 monthly update announcements, as well as the older eZine.pdf publications prior to that.  There are a wealth of articles including how-to details for popular new features.

Thanks all for this information.   It sounds like I have some studying to do with the Garrigus book, Sonar documentation, and cool YouTube videos!

Thanks Roy, John, and Daniel!
--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://www.garrigus.com
* Cakewalk SONAR Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/u...gus?sub_confirmation=1
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Publisher of the DigiFreq music recording newsletter: http://www.digifreq.com/
* Publisher of the NewTechReview consumer tech newsletter: http://www.newtechreview.com/