I am a long time user of Cakewalk but I have struggled over the last several years with all of the features that Cakewalk provides. It's overwhelming. He have all these tools in our tool box but how many of use really understand all those tools? I will tell you that I don't understand them all. If I don't understand all the tools, then I am limited with what I am able to create while using Sonar. I find that I stick to what I know and don't use lots of features that I would probably use if I understood them. Cakewalk has lots of videos on YouTube but you can't isolate only Sonar Platinum videos. So what is the solution? I was thinking that maybe within a thread, we can talk about each plugin or soft-synth etc. we could really get into the nits and bolts of each feature? Is there any interest in this?

Thanks

Joe

It's all available, in the manual, the videos, Cakewalk TV, Cakewalk Uni, Cakewalk blog. There are so many tutorials on various aspects of Sonar.

Some features may be explained by a video from Sonar X1 because that feature hasn't really changed since then. For other things you need a more modern video or article because the feature was added more recently.

In the stickies section of the Sonar forum there's a section on Craig Andertons weekly tips which is up to about number 64 now. Have a read through them.

You have to remember that in Sonar you have access to facilities that would have cost 100s of thousands of dollars just 10 or 15 years ago. In those days it was a full time job for a number of years getting to grips with what you could do in a pro studio. Do you put in that kind of time to learn? Do you practice recording, mixing etc. there are more resources out there than ever before.

There is a Techniques forum here that hosts discussions on various techniques to do with the craft. Give it a look see.

And yes, I pretty much do understand them all. If I need to use a technique that I'm not familiar with or haven't used for a while I'll make sure that I make myself competent to use it if it's going to cost someone else their money for my time and skills.

I'm 61 and been doing this since 14. Still learning. This forum and being active on it is a great way to learn. It just takes time and application to your craft.

I, for one would be very interested. Like mudgel said, there's a lot out there already. Post in techniques and I for one will lurk or post. To offer some perspective, I am an educated musician,(primary guitar). I understand just about any practical theory, but I couldn't ever use it all. I love many musical styles, but I will never be the greatest jazz, rock blues,metal, country, classical, bluegrass, flamenco guitarist out there. You have to expose yourself to raise the scafolding somewhat evenly, and use that as your springboard to showcase your strengths. Learning the basics of tracking and mixing in Sonar will give you that same foundation. Then you can tackle some of the features that help you get there. Example: my guitar is too loud, but it still gets buried in the mix. Solution: EQ the guitar so it isn't  competing with other instruments.Tool: Sonar has quad curve  on every channel.OR drop levels of competing instuments when playing guitar so it's the predominant track using automation lanes. OR feed the guitar track to the side chain of a compressor so it automatically pushes the other instruments down when it is sounding. If you don't know how to do these things (yet)start your search there. Start with a problem that needs addressing. Use the materials out there like you would a dictionary, not to memorize it, but to find the right word.

Sonar - so many options, do you understand them all?

And just remember, you don't have to understand ALL the options, just the ones you need at the time, then as you go and you need something else, you learn it, rinse and repeat and one day you will know more than you now thought you would.

orangesporanges
I, for one would be very interested. Like mudgel said, there's a lot out there already. Post in techniques and I for one will lurk or post. To offer some perspective, I am an educated musician,(primary guitar). I understand just about any practical theory, but I couldn't ever use it all. I love many musical styles, but I will never be the greatest jazz, rock blues,metal, country, classical, bluegrass, flamenco guitarist out there. You have to expose yourself to raise the scafolding somewhat evenly, and use that as your springboard to showcase your strengths. Learning the basics of tracking and mixing in Sonar will give you that same foundation. Then you can tackle some of the features that help you get there. Example: my guitar is too loud, but it still gets buried in the mix. Solution: EQ the guitar so it isn't  competing with other instruments.Tool: Sonar has quad curve  on every channel.OR drop levels of competing instuments when playing guitar so it's the predominant track using automation lanes. OR feed the guitar track to the side chain of a compressor so it automatically pushes the other instruments down when it is sounding. If you don't know how to do these things (yet)start your search there. Start with a problem that needs addressing. Use the materials out there like you would a dictionary, not to memorize it, but to find the right word.

The OP didn't state he's a beginner. He stated he has been a long time user that simply don't understand all features offered. I think one part of the issue, is when the promo comes out for a newer version, you're hit with a number of features that you obviously want to investigate. Trying to learn multiple new features at once, on top of what you really haven't learned previously, only makes it more frustrating. Sure, there's video tutorials and the PDF manual, but you still have to shift threw numerous material that may not be simple so and clear enough to understand. It can be like learning music theory on top of trying to learn an instrument, by the same means. Add to that, when you have no idea why something doesn't seem to work as described and it's due to a bug you have no idea exist.
 
Sonar... Re-Imagined, frankly, became a clunkier GUI, which can make learning certain things a bit steeper. CW- got rid of other programs like: Project 5 and Kinetic, to focus solely on Sonar, even though there were numerous pleas to continue these programs that were geared toward users that made dance and urban music. Since then... Sonar has been marketed towards anybody they can get to make a purchase. Yeah, even the first time novice to DAW's. Ok... I took a wrong turn somewhere, but anyway, The new Sonar may simply be more than you have a need for. If you get a version that offers less, like the Music creator version, you won't have all those new features to temp you.
 

Also ...
Anderton's ToW (http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3074655) and the Technique forum (http://forum.cakewalk.com/Techniques-f90.aspx) are great places to look.  Also check out the Cake blog (http://blog.cakewalk.com/); bookmark it and revisit often.  And don't forget the eZine (http://www.cakewalk.com/P...Rolling-Updates#start) that highlights new features each release!
 
I don't understand everything Sonar has to offer.  I make it a point to learn something new every time I fire it up.  Experiment. 
 
IMO, there are two types of understanding in this context:
The first is the technical understanding of what a specific tool or feature does, how to select/insert/apply and such.
The second is understanding how to apply the feature/tool in a creative way.  This one is up to your imagination. 
 
The cool thing is that you don't have to use every feature/tool in the toolbox for every project.  Piece by piece, bit by bit experimentation and exploration is my approach.  I hope I never run out of unexplored territory 

Rather than try to understand them all, a simpler approach is to do things you want to do, then when you have an idea of something you want to do look it up. Often it is best to ask in here since the "keyword" you are looking for may not be known yet and this forum is full of helpful folks.
 
If you think from the perspective of time alone, there is little use "knowing" something you would never use... the key is to just know it exists, then can find/use when/if you have the need.

easyjoey
If I don't understand all the tools, then I am limited with what I am able to create while using Sonar.

You should not think of it this way because a) it's not really true but b) if this is how you view it that is what will limit your creativity.
 
Yes, there are definitely a LOT of tools/areas/features/etc, many of which are extremely complex but in general it's all fairly compartmentalized. You can just learn the stuff that is useful to you and safely ignore the rest until you get curious or your needs grow.
 
For example the first month I used Sonar I just figured out...
 
How to setup my interface, how to operate the transport and MSR controls, VERY basic editing in Track View, how to import files like drum loops, how to insert FX and how to do a basic export.
 
That was all I needed to put together a song (which I did a couple of as well as a small part on a collab within that first month or so). It wasn't all that easy at first and it was a little messy but it got done.
 
Ever since then I've been widdling away at all the other stuff peeling back the many layers of Sonar like an onion. 3 and half years later I'd say I have at least a basic understanding of 90% of the program and all the tools (like the FX and synths) and maybe an intermediate to advanced understanding of about 60% of that (things like tracking, editing, routing, navigation of projects and the program, etc are second nature to me now simply from working with the program regularly).
 
Fact is even though I've spent an insane amount of time watching vids, reading the manual, scouring the forum and just testing things out I probably only touch about 10% of the program throughout a project (the bulk of which is that stuff I learned in the first month).
 
The only real benefit I get from having obsessively studying it so much and digging into the darker corners of the program/toolset is that now if I get some weird, crazy artsy f*ck idea I'm not as stumped as to how to go about. I can reach out and use usually not just one tool/feature but multiple possible options to see what works best (or not at all).
 
So if I didn't know all that weird stuff I wouldn't be stuck unable to create. I just have extra cool options to enhance what I'd normally be doing or just make it a little easier.
 
The other benefit is that I can now kind of understand what the heavy hitters are talking about around here (which gives me new ideas to try out) and I can offer assistance to new people (or more casual users) who are in the same boat I was a few short years ago... just like I was helped as a wailing infant newbile.
 
tl;dr...
 
Just work as you normally would and don't worry about any of the new stuff unless you want to try out some new tricks or you truly do get stuck on something. In which case just ask the forum what the best option is, do a quick read up/test of the feature and go back to creating.
 
No need to bog yourself down if you don't want/need to.
 
Cheers.

Thanks guys.... I think part of my point was missed.  The key here is, you might have 1000 tools in your tool box but only are familiar with 50 of them.  You use those 50 over and over and have them mastered.  Because you don't understand or are totally oblivious to the other 950, you may not be aware of what your options are.  You may not even make a connection that there is a solution to a potential problem or technique if you have no idea that a solution potentially exists...  If you eat bologna every day, you have no idea what steak tastes like.
 
The Sonar manuals are decent but they don't provide practical advice.  That's why I love the Sonar Power books but I am looking for more.  I own several Moog synths and was at the factory recently.  The rep was showing what all of these features would do.  I asked "why would I use that feature?" and the guy looked at me and said, no one has ever asked that.  He then explained HOW and WHY the feature could be used and the conversation was much more helpful. 
 
So my thoughts are just a simple discussion of various options Sonar offers and with an explanation of HOW and WHY.  I hope this makes more sense.
 
Thanks
 
Joe