Similar question for softsynths, i.e. what do you mean by "unused"?

If there are redundant items in the Synth Rack for which there are no corresponding tracks, then these can be identified by selecting each one in turn and hitting middle C on your midi keyboard.  If there is no sound, then (assuming that nothing is muted) the selected synth is not outputted to any track.

On the other hand, if there are routed softsynths for which there is no midi, then the absence of midi clips within the tracks should be evident in Track View.

Or if there are any other ways that a softsynth can be "unused" in a project, please tell.

there's no way to answer your question the way you're wanting because any synth or FX that is in the project is being used unless you have it bypassed or muted. 

so, having said that, there's no way for sonar to know if you're 'using it" or not (because effectively you ARE using them all) and therefore there's no global button to remove them.

Ok, well, that's clear then. Pity there isn't an option like that. You make it sound a little as if it is a weird desire, but imho it would be a real handy feature and not something totally impossible.

The tips Kev999 has given are obvious and well known but require you to check really everything and still things can go wrong. (How about tracks that DO drive a softsynths but don't have actual midi in the track (like Jamstix). Or how about softsynths that make no sound when you hit the C because of various possible reasons (no sound within range, synth requires modwheel input for volume). Or how do you easily check if there really isn't anything routed to a bus. Or how about a LOT of effects in a track which can't be seen in a glance but need you to scroll the list.)

As I said, other programs tell you when something you want to delete is in REAL use, so it amazes my Sonar isn't that clever. It's not something impossible imho.

Anyway, I already cleaned up my projects the hard way: took me two hours or so... I would have prefered a one click solution. There are some things I just can't get used to. (Like not being able to undo changes in VSTi's canlike you can undo things you've done in Sonar...) Ah well, nothing is perfect.

you're reading things into what I type.  I am not making it sound like it's a weird desire.  I simply stated that there's no way for sonar to know you're not using it because as far as it's concerned it uses all of them you've put in the project.

Ditto what Beagle says, How would Sonar even come close to knowing what you are using in the tangled mess of options and routing? I think if Sonar even tried to do this it would screw something else up in the process. Example the clean audio folder that is next to useless. You can only expect so much from $500 worth of coding. I am forever amazed at what is hidden in there. Sorry you found the missing feature resulted in you having to spend time manually housekeeping, but if you don't keep your workspace clean on a daily basis then your going to have a big job on your hand by the end of the month.

hellogoodbye

The tips Kev999 has given are obvious and well known...

I wasn't really giving tips.  I was aiming to clarify what you mean by "unused" and make a start on analysing the problem.  If you want a new feature that involves deleting things, you need to be very clear about what should or should not get deleted.

I was also pointing out that there is no need to focus on unwanted effects, because these effects would be automatically deleted as a result of getting rid of unwanted tracks.

LOL Ok, clear, sorry about the confusion and what not.  English isn't my native language so if what I said sounded a bit harsh or anything, I sincerly apologize! I am always very grateful for all the quick help one gets here, so don't think I didn't appreciate that! And I did get a crystal clear answer on my question: what I want isn't possible, so I will have to live with that!  


I suppose my opening post wasn't too clear either: when you are used to specific options in other software, you tend to forget that not everyone may know options like that and/or people might not have a clue what you are talking about. The next time I'll forget about 'keeping it simple', haha, and try to be as detailed as possible.


Again, your input is much appreciated, as always!

Sonar does "know" if a synth is "used" by checking for any midi track set to send to the synth track. Muted or not is a mix decision, and secondary to the question.

Many (including me) have asked for a couple of "matrix" views of routings. This view could be sorted by plugs, enabled, disabled,...

And by buses: what tracks/buses are routed to what bus(es) directly, by sends,... what buses have no input,...

Tracks: muted, soloed, EQ enabled,....

All of this stuff could be summarized on a screen for quick reference. And then for ability to make such changes.

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Many programs such as InDesign have the feature described by HelloGoodbye. 'Twould be a good addition to Sonar.

j

Yeah, that would be cool: that would already help a lot! But it won't happen though, at least not in Sonar 8.5...  And since I don't plan on upgrading to any other DAW (X1 or anything else), I will have to live with how it is now, I guess.

Go to "View", select "Browser", click on the "Synth" tab and you'll see a list of synths that are left in the project, then right click on the synth you want to remove and select "delete".