LOL!  I love one knob compressors like are on a lot of the digital mixers but I usually use the GUI to dial in the actual compression.  What is needed many times is better training and better skills with the tool , not a thousand tools. This is true in every occupation.  I love and am addicted to ...tools.  So like a collector I hoard new technology and audio gear.  That is secondary to the bottom line of finishing an audio or video project.
 
So I would prefer a REALLY GOOD EQ, REALLY GOOD compressor and REALLY GOOD TUTORIALS.  Many times folks would get the American car because service and support was so much better and more people know how to work with them.  The secret for sonar bakers may be in educating, training and supporting the end user engineers in more effective and collaborative ways.  Not another magic easy button.
 
Actually the Sonar Forums are a good start.  There are a lot of helpful supportive folks that hang out here.  So I  really NEED to know how to use sonar to mix a song like "FIGHT SONG" or "WRECKING BALL" like my customers want, but what I WANT are collections of endless stupid magic knobs and other novel tools to fiddle with forever.
 
In spelling contests they say can you use the word in a sentence?  so show me, can I use these style dials to mix a radio ready hit song?  Show me. ;)

I was using a Saxophone sample in a project, and I thought it just needs to be a little more dirty, so I dialed in some Style Dial "Grit" and it definitely helped put more edge onto the sample as required.
 
As others have stated though, you really have to wonder what it is doing to the audio signal . . . there comes a point when it degrades the audio if over applied. Perhaps reminiscent of the Pro Channel Softube Saturation Knob, which when I first tried this Pro Channel plugin, I used it extensively . . . until I soloed it and listened more closely to what it was actually doing to the signal . . . additive distortion . . . which needs to be controlled, so subtle is always better.
The Pro Channel Style Dials seem to be in the same category, quick and dirty shortcuts to grit, ambience, and compression. There are more refined plugins to get better results, but the Style Dials do offer the quick one dial result.

backwoods
I bet you would never use them in your high quality multi million dollar mega studio would you richard- and neither would your numerous grammy winner clients...

You got that right buddy, oh . . . and learn to read and comprehend ?

I've added the style dials to the odd track here and there just to get an idea of what that particular effect will sound like, but eventually I delete them and add another that I can tweak to a little more my liking.

I have tried them on a few different things, but I like to know what I am fiddling with. So I do not use them much, if at all.
All the best.

I love everything about Style Dials, just wish they were less CPU hungry, especially Max[imizer]. I believe that's a trade off for complex algorithms and look ahead feature under the hood, which prevents using it on many channels. Otherwise I would "style dial" everything and then just polish the mix with more tweakable plugins, if needed.

I've no use for space and max myself, but I'll add my name to the list of grit fans.

Thing with the style dials is, they already existed, as part of music creator, so why not include them in Sonar? Basically no development cost. I'm happy to have them.

sharke
Is it documented exactly what they are under the hood?

 
Seems they are regular 'locked' FX-chains with a few linked parameters for the following Vst's
Grit: TL64-Tube leveler
Max: Boost11 & PX64-PercussionStrip
Space: Sonitus FX-Reverb
(Right-click the big Dial and you can see which parameters are controlled and set Min/Max range)
Even if you do a minimal setup of Sonar installing just the main programme and no Vst's it will install the whole Sonitus Suite and also Boost11,TL64 & PX64: They are listed in Vst-manager under exluded plugins.
I have Platinum, no Idea if this applies to 'Music creator' or other versions.....(though I'd guess it does)
 
It would be nice if the style-dials would optionally open an instance of the plugins they are controlling allowing user to see the parameters change as they are turning the knob. It would allow a quick & rough setting of an effect, and then allowing the user to fine-tune afterwards once the rough-mix is finished!
 

You know where this is leading? Now I want to create my own dials and control the range and parameter of other vst.  The fact that they are controlling parameters of already developed vst escaped me for some reason.  That changes my thoughts about them.  They are one button effects chains. Sure Ill take more or let us create them? That is pretty sweet now that think about it.  I assumed they were just budget FX themselves but if they truly using other effects that's sweet.  So it really is just a "style dial".  They should have named them that. (he)

Well I'm looking forward to the day where the entire UI gets replaced by one big red button.
Anyway it's clearly obvious by reading this thread so far it is without debate a 'huge hit' and we are all begging for more ;) this is what people want.. Huge knobs strapped onto their console... Fair enough!