Hey everyone,  For those who probably don't remember me, I came here early in 2016, just after losing my eyesight, looking for answers to questions.    I just lost my vision and I wanted to start working on my music again, and when I lost my vision, I had ssonar X3 and  was unable to use it, since Caketalking is only available for Sonar 8.5.3, and that seems like thaaatt's goiing to be the case.
 
Well, I initially possteed a short video clip shoowing off me manipulaating Sonarr using a Playstation 4 gamepad andd SAPI5, integrated into Windows, to give me speech feedback.
 
Well, here we are a year and a half later, from the start of this project, and I now have a accessible control surface, using NVDA, SAPI5, and a Behringer X-Touch Compact or Game controller, or even both.This setup gives me control of multiple strips, busses, sends, effects, and even some added bonus features like fine precision dialing, and an integrated help virtual user's manual to help you identify controls.    ALso, incorporated is a  control remapping for effects.  Basically, you will be able to physically change what controls you want to use to manipulate specific effect parameters, including 4 quick access encoders and buttons that are accessible at any time during a project and  in any mode the surface is in.
 
A custom NVDA add-on, called SIBIAC (Single Image Blob Interface Accessible Control) was also created to help get control of VSTs with visuals, and it will allow you to get to presets, which you can then adjust using the X-touch in effect control mode.
 
You can set loop, punch and jog to locations of the project, as well as quick access MSR, and audition on touch of the motorized strips.   The 9th fader, in this particular case, instead of controlling the hardware output level, it's assignable to a bus output level via strip selection encoder.
 
There are just so many things I could sit here and discuss, but instead I'll let you guys take a look at it in action.    I have created a 7 video playlist on YouTube showing off the setup  and what I can do with it.   I also made a little video showing me doing some work with the setup recording a small clip.
 
Note: this project is free to use, and constantly undergoing development and new plugins will be added to SIBIAC, including Addictive Drums 2, Rapture, and Zeta.
 
I can not promise that it will be 100%  manipulation of Sonar, however, it has done more than enough for me, and I have used the setup to produce music that is available on iTunes, even now.
 
Here's a link to the playlist of the tutorial series.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU5PQJ8AWmQ&list=PL_KlosoJFir2ZwopOUC4AQPaQ-TBmzvPL
 
Here's a video of me using the setup to record something small, and some other things I do, including unintentional troubleshooting, haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OA9LdI_Zk&t=240s
 
It's only me and one other guy working on this, but hopefully we can get enough interest and possibly some additional help down the road.    Thank you guys for taking the time to visit this threade

Hi Gerad. Very impressed by your perserverence in overcoming all of the obstacles you have had to overcome to get this to happen. I would hope someone from Cake would check your vids and reach out. Could benefit all Sonar users. Hope your efforts continue to serve you well. Best of luck.

Thank you.   Myself, and the other that helped me, azslow3, have been working on this for over a year, with some time between, to get it to this point.    I'd love to do my best to help reach out to other blind users.  I do hope someone can see this and benefit from it.     We always have much we can learn and do, and our own limitations are our own minds, which is why I refused to give up on finding a solution that would work for not only myself, but other blind musicians, that I know.
 
 

Hi. I remember reading your and  aslow3's thread when you started this venture a year or so ago.
I'm amazed with what you were able to do together.
All the best.

Thank you.  I do need to give this thread a better title though, snce it's hard to search for with the slash in it.  

hi there.
That's excellent news. How would you compare this new version's  accessibility level with cake talking?
Cheers,
JPR

Hi again,
what about the MIDI side of sonar platinum? Is it as accessible as it used to with version 8.5?
Thanks.

We are not using Sonar accessibility at all. In fact we had to switch this option off, it is crashing X3.
 
We have not compared our approach with Caketalking and I guess we are still missing quite some functionality. I am not a commercial company and that is my first project in accessibility direction. So there is a big difference between me and Dancing Dots. But we try to move forward, with modern Sonar versions, under modern Windows and with free software.
 
Note that controller and presets can work exactly the same way with 8.5, in parallel with Caketalking. Only small tuning is required to avoid duplication for announcements. And it will be nice in case someone help us with that, so work with me online to eliminate audio clashing, point to missing features, etc.

As far as a comparison, I could not give you one, because I never used Caketalking, so I will not be able to elaborate on that side of things.   However, I can say that both setups have their advantages and disadvantages, for sure.
As far as midi, the piano roll is not accessible right now.  However, being able to use midi for vst's and everything is  doable.  In my demonstration, I use VST's and assign them with midi and what not.  I also have a way to work on midi drum tracks using the copy paste and select by time options, to allow me to grab frames the midi notes are in, that I want to move.