With the advent of downloadable versions of SONAR, the reference guide has been a separate download usually made available a week or so after the initial product release. The reference guide is a PDF formatted version of the help file. Aside from the file format, the biggest difference between the help and the reference guide is the the reference guide is created from the initial help file and not updated. The help file gets updated along with the program. The tutorials in the help file have links built into the SONAR Help menu in the Getting Started section.

John

DrFrederico
I think it's a little crappy of Cakewalk to charge for them. We spent a lot of money on the (complex) program already. Digital Performer isn't that way. http://www.soundonsound.com/articles/DigitalPerformer.php

Most tutorials that cost are from third party providers. It is a lot of effort that goes into a tutorial and though CW doesn't charge for the ones it does I see nothing wrong with those that do charge get something for the effort. 
 
Scook has linked to CakeTV which as a huge number of good videos on all the X series as well as some going back to pre X. What you  have posted is singularly uninformed.  

 The Cake shop will have those on sale quite a bit.  I got most of mine that way for under $20.   
 

I can sympathize with the OP. I think a complex program like SONAR should have a free in depth video tutorial such as SONAR X3 Explained included with the SONAR X3 purchase. Having such a video included provides the user with many helpful things to know about SONAR which are conveniently included in one tutorial video. Otherwise, a user is left with a hassle of finding and sorting through the short free videos provided by Cakewalk, or faced with a feeling of being pressured to have to buy a third party tutorial.
 
At times, Cakewalk offers free tutorial videos related to SONAR for users who initially buy or upgrade, and I have to say that's a plus for Cakewalk. Nevertheless, I do sympathize with the OP.

 
Cakewalk's very generous sales, promotions and giveaways make the videos available more or less for free to those who want them (like me).
 
I just wish there was a printed manual.  I'd have read it cover to cover by now, comfortably sunk into my couch or rocking chair.
 

The cost of a complete video reference guide would be too high, I guess (?). I've never been a friend of video tutorials myself, as I prefer studying the printed one. Today, printing 1800 pages on a bubblejet at home would be quite a task, (and that would cost a nice sum, too) so I'm glad I've learned the basics years ago, when we still got a printed one automatically with the discs.
 
As Thomasbarnes writes above, finding the right spot in the videos  is a  hassle, and I think there's no way to avoid it, no matter what kind of a file structure or system is used. Using a printed manual (or the help files on screen) that part is much faster and easier.
 
Proper user guidance is essential, it must be offered with the product, but as I've stated here earlier, if the guides and support were at the level we users wish they would be, the price of the software would be double.  OTOH, if there was a complete video tutorial, would that make the telephone support unnecessary?
Not totally I guess.

I mean no disrespect.
 
Assumption: the OP is a new CW customer, fur shur, a new X3 user.
 
'Tis a clear an inverse relationship: the less something costs the more is expected.
 
Not sure why I am repeatedly amazed at the expectations that something that costs next to nothing
and is as powerful as Sonar should provide complete handholding.
 
Warning: Proper use of this product requires significant frontal-lobe development.
 
Chief Architect: $2,700  Training:  2 days in vegas: $700   
(Training assumes experience with the program. Close to architect-level education.)
 
Black Baud accounting: $6k+    Training: 500-1000 per day.  
And $2.5k renewal per year.
 
How much did you spend to purchase Sonar? Your computer? Sound interface?
 
And you did not read the manual?   To find the tutorials?
 
And you have not clicked the sticky labeled, "Helpful Sonar videos?"
 
And you have not searched the forums for such information?
 
Before admonishing the dudes who created the program for you to complain about?
 
--------------------------------------------------------
 
I still think Sonar costs less than a 1/4 of what it should.  It is way too inexpensive. And
consequently those who should have purchased Music Creator, or M-Audio Vocal Studio,... are
confronted with a longer learning curve than expected because of their inexperience.  And they have the audacity to blame the CW dudes for the frustration they experience at not being able to just understand and use the program right out of the box without reading the instruction manual.
 
Business dudes know, there IS a direct relationship between low product price and high support costs.
 
Higher price, fewer users, lower costs, higher profits.
 

Paul P
 
Cakewalk's very generous sales, promotions and giveaways make the videos available more or less for free to those who want them (like me).
 
I just wish there was a printed manual.  I'd have read it cover to cover by now, comfortably sunk into my couch or rocking chair.
 

 You would probably like Scott G.'s Sonar X3 Power. If you took that survey, use the $25 to get it for a nice price. I use video tutorial since they take up drive space instead of shelf space.
 
 BTW I do miss the .chm help file in Sonar.  I hate when developers put them in pdf.   Image Line still uses the .chm help file.  Mouse over something, hit F1 and there's the info.

kitekrazy1
 BTW I do miss the .chm help file in Sonar.

Cakewalk still bundles a .chm file with SONAR. When not connected to the internet, the chm is used instead of the web-based help system. To force SONAR to always use the .chm file enable "Always use Offline Help" in Preferences > File > Advanced. To see the Advanced options make sure the Advanced radio button is selected at the bottom of the Preferences dialog.

scook

kitekrazy1
 BTW I do miss the .chm help file in Sonar.

Cakewalk still bundles a .chm file with SONAR. When not connected to the internet, the chm is used instead of the web-based help system. To force SONAR to always use the .chm file enable "Always use Offline Help" in Preferences > File > Advanced. To see the Advanced options make sure the Advanced radio button is selected at the bottom of the Preferences dialog.

Thank you so much!

Keep in mind the local chm is not updated as frequently as the web-based help. In the past the chm updates have been delivered along with program updates. The web-based help may be updated at any time.