Hello:
 
I just bought sonar platinum on a whim, so please forgive the beginner questions.
 
I've opened up the SI Electric Piano and clicked on the step sequencer.
 
My questions are, it shows only single notes on the bottom.  How can you extend the notes instead of individual hits?
 
Can you play actual notes using the laptop keyboard?
 
Is there a place to go for beginners to learn the basics?

I usually use the piano roll view for midi editing, or you can use the event view. A great place to start is:

http://www.cakewalk.com/D...ge=3&help=toc.html

This is the online reference info for Sonar 2015, until a proper reference manual is released.

I highly recommend working through the tutorials in the above link.  They will get you making music with Sonar in no time (well not no time, but you know what I mean.)

Welcome! Unfortunately, I'm the wrong one to ask about the step sequencer, as I never use it. But I wanted to welcome you. I'm sure there will be someone along shortly to answer your questions. There are some really good people here. Congratulations on buying Platinum! It was a good move.

Looks like I got beat to the punch while I was typing.

A while ago there was a program called "Bome". I think this may help.
 
HTH

This link addresses the laptop keyboard issue to some extent:

http://forum.cakewalk.com/m/tm.aspx?m=2991521

I believe a virtual keyboard is in the works for a future Sonar update, which would be included in your membership if released this year.

To extend notes in the step sequencer you hold down the ctrl key while dragging the mouse across the notes you want to link.

I'd second the advice to work through the tutorials, there's a pretty steep initial learning curve with any DAW software and the tutorials will take you through what you need to know to get started.

Some other links...
http://www.cakewalk.com/CakeTV/SONAR-University
http://www.cakewalk.com/CakeTV
 

I didn't realize that SWA's Complete SONAR X2 (9 hours) is free now... I just found this quick doing a google search, but the link to the SWA site appears offline "due to maintenance." (have to scroll to the very bottom) https://steamcommunity.com/app/241070/discussions/0/613936039427400097/?insideModal=1
 
Just about all of these videos are applicable to other SONAR versions (+/- added features). I do not see it anymore in the CW store, so if the link above does come online, it is worth perusing.