I know I may be asking basic questions but I wouldn't if I didn't have to....Thanks
 
Is this possible? Like open a project and see what midi channels are available for use? either by seeing all that are used or only those that are not used. I am all midi except for guitars (elec and acc) and vocals.
 
Thanks folks
Frank

You could use the List view and filter out everything but channels. All you would need do is select all your MIDI tracks. Unfortunately there is no channel event. But you can see most via the patch event. 

OK- Thanks John...................
Think that's kind of what I have been doing. Would be cool though to just pop up a window and midi channels are listed-wouldn't matter if they were showing which track either. But hey-no problem, just figured I would ask

I think all the criticism of sonar as a toy (from the midi point of view) boils down to this one simple design feature: so much of it assumes that "midi channel 1" is it, period, for all tracks and all uses.   Maybe the decades old "midi channel 10" for drums.  

williamcopper
I think all the criticism of sonar as a toy (from the midi point of view) boils down to this one simple design feature: so much of it assumes that "midi channel 1" is it, period, for all tracks and all uses.   Maybe the decades old "midi channel 10" for drums.  

I'm not sure how you arrived at that conclusion. I can tell you its incorrect. With MIDI the port is the more important thing. All MIDI ports have 16 channels. Sonar is very easy to use for hardware and software synths because it is aware of ports. Not all DAWs are.  

williamcopper
I think all the criticism of sonar as a toy (from the midi point of view) boils down to this one simple design feature: so much of it assumes that "midi channel 1" is it, period, for all tracks and all uses.   Maybe the decades old "midi channel 10" for drums.  

 
I started this thread to ask a question about Sonar, not to criticize it. No way do I feel it is a toy. I was just hoping there was a way to do this. Not sure what your talking about because I have been using midi since the late 80's in Cakewalk Pro Audio to start. Midi I what brought me to Sonar and keeps me here- for over 20+ years.
Midi functionality is great. I certainly will not lose sleep over the fact that I cannot just pop up a list of used or free midi channels. It was just a question and it was answered.

williamcopper
I think all the criticism of sonar as a toy (from the midi point of view) boils down to this one simple design feature: so much of it assumes that "midi channel 1" is it, period, for all tracks and all uses.   Maybe the decades old "midi channel 10" for drums.  

WTH are you talking about? All channels are easily accessable on all tracks for all devices at all times.
 
Do you not know how to choose MIDI channels in Sonar?
 
Again... you are complaining about an issue that does not exist and doing so from the supposed perspective of someone who "knows" stuff at a professional level...
 
but AGAIN you have shown that you have a severe lack of knowledge about the program you consistently complain about.
 
Slow your roll, ask questions instead of making accusations, RTFM (and that is something I NEVER say in this manner) and you maybe... just MAYBE will be able to get what you want accomplished.
 
That is of course if your stated goal of making music is what you want to accomplish.
 
If you just want to troll, confuse newcomers, slag Sonar and waste everyone's time... mission accomplished.
 
"Toy" indeed.

To the OP, when you say "all midi", do you mean VSTs or are you driving outboard gear? I ask because I primarily use VSTs and have never seen the need see all channels in use. Maybe if I were using hardware then it would matter more.

Just wondering.

Frank,
Knowing what MIDI channels are in use would only apply if you are using a multi-timbrel synth such as Kontakt or a multi-timbrel external synth. If you are using multiple VSTis each one could be on the same channel with different MIDI tracks feeding each. 

Guys-Sometimes I want to add, say a fender Rhodes thru Kontakt, I need to assign a midi channel and I want one that is not used. If I already have 10 midi tracks, I really don't remember the channel of each one. Maybe I don't work th normal way, but what can I say. Thanks