Brando

Anderton
I can also vouch that SONAR syncs to external clock...I've done it with everything from another computer to a Korg M3.
 
But as pointed out in the previous post, the device transmitting has to be set up correctly for whatever is synching to it. For example some MIDI masters have options for sending just MIDI clock, MIDI clock+start/stop commands, song position pointer, etc.

FastBikerBoy
I'm not sure of the cause of your issue but it is definitely possible to slave Sonar to external equipment. I do that myself regularly, mainly with a couple of drum machines.
 
Here's my sequence
 

1. Open Preferences--->Project--->Clock and set to "MIDI sync"
2. Press play in Sonar. At this stage the transport message will read "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync"
3. Press start or play on an external device. Sonar should start, or does here anyway.

Does that not work for you?
 
 
 
 

FBB - Does this also work for Tempo changes from the master device? I can't get Platinum to follow a tempo change, (albeit in a 'McGyver'd' setup). SONAR starts and syncs correctly, but won't change tempo, which sounds like the issue the OP was having.
I am just running some experiments now trying to get Midi-OX to transmit Midi Sync to SONAR so I can trial making tempo change adjustments in SONAR to see how it performs. I am looking to buy or build a box for live Tempo adjustment of SONAR (or another DAW, using an encoder or fader).
This seems to be the case for both Midi Sync and MTC/SMPTE, but it may be a limitation of Midi Ox. I just don't want to invest in something specifically for Tempo Control if SONAR can't do what I need it to do.
Just looking for confirmation that current version SONAR responds to Tempo Change from a master device when configured to work as a MIDI slave - It's quite possible my little experiment isn't real life capable.
Thanks!
 
 

I just received this thing (I don't consider it a reply as it's pure confusion to me) from tech support.

--Sonar Tech Response-
****************************
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MAIL.
To reply to the message visit http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3317126
****************************
bvideo at November 17, 15 11:10 AM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Syncing Sonar tempo to match external MIDI clock
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sonar can be configured to sync to midi, audio, or internal. However, it has been my understanding that as soon as there is audio in the project Sonar insists on audio timing. That might even include the case where there are no audio tracks, but synth tracks even if none are frozen. If that is true, it would cause all of the above frustration. However, the idea of locking timing to audio tracks does make sense when an audio recording has already dictated tempo.

Both audio and internal timing derive tempo from the tempo track. MIDI timing gives Sonar no information about tempo per se, just clock events that Sonar follows to spool out notes when they become due. The tempo track is just ignored. Recording tempo is not a thing.

----------- End of Message -------------

EVIDENTLY the PERFECT MIDI SYNC, I'M GETTING IN ABLETON is a figment of my imagination! This does put me on the right path, use the Sonar Plug-ins, which I love so much, in ABLETON and "Be Happy". I would have preferred the simpler explanation that the external midi sync, in any version of Sonar, doesn't work. That answer would have satisfied me. The implication that I don't know what I'm doing was/is not appreciated nor is the Do Not Reply!

To everyone on the forum, I sincerely appreciate all the effort many of you have put forth, with respect for my quandary. In the event you find yourselves needing a sync for live play, I'll see you in the A Live forums.

WilliamHenley:
 
Part of the thing you quote was not written by tech support, but by me. Probably because you "subscribed" to the thread, you received automatically generated email to say there was activity on the thread. "Do not reply" is just because the email was generated automatically by the forum software and no email reply by you would be posted to the thread. Hence it says "To reply to the message visit http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3317126" My post in this thread was not a reply specifically to you, but an observation that was meant to help several posters determine why MIDI sync "works" for some and not for others.
 
What may have confounded you even further is that the email you received has an initial version of my post that needed editing because I hit [Submit Post] instead of Preview. The link shows my more completely worded version. Sorry for any distress that may have caused.
 
Bill B.

bvideo
WilliamHenley:
 
Part of the thing you quote was not written by tech support, but by me. Probably because you "subscribed" to the thread, you received automatically generated email to say there was activity on the thread. "Do not reply" is just because the email was generated automatically by the forum software and no email reply by you would be posted to the thread. Hence it says "To reply to the message visit http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3317126" My post in this thread was not a reply specifically to you, but an observation that was meant to help several posters determine why MIDI sync "works" for some and not for others.
 
What may have confounded you even further is that the email you received has an initial version of my post that needed editing because I hit [Submit Post] instead of Preview. The link shows my more completely worded version. Sorry for any distress that may have caused.
 
Bill B.

Thanks for the clarification regarding my tech support misunderstanding as well as the effort trying to resolve the Sonar "MIDI SYNC" Quandary. I've honestly given up on the topic which is something I rarely do. With the exception of my "MIDI SYNC" issue, Sonar X3 and Platinum have, by far, the best feature content of any DAW available for the price. I guess this is the reason I'm so disappointed. Since it's introduction, Sonar has always been synonymous with Roland to me which is why I'm confounded by the lack of a simple sync function. I cannot place all blame on Cakewalk as I could not resolve my sync issue in X3 and still purchased Platinum hoping I would eventually solve the mystery.

At least I can use a large percentage of the Sonar Platinum plug-ins in a more sync friendly daw.

Sounds like Samplitude (post v8), Digital Performer (all versions) and Logic (pre v8).  You must have the tempo matching machine/DAW before join play.  They can follow a midi sync (beat clock) but can not ADAPT to it.
 
This is something I suggest Sonar, with the burgeoning drum machine/synth market, take a closer look at.
 
To most, well behaved, DAW users it's standard reality to have the DAW be the master.  However, once you've had your project adapt to the tempo knob of your drum machine, you will know what the frustrated few are looking for.
 
Yes, it's hard for the DAW to do.  Your audio must morph in order for this to work.  Because the midi clock is not in perfect sync with the clock in the sound card.  This is a challenge to rise to.  Not an occasion to tell people who have been locking synths together for years, to simply comply and suck on the DAW timeline.
 
FYI, Ableton and Renoise do this.  (adapt to the clock, not suck on the DAW timeline)

FastBikerBoy

1. Press play in Sonar. At this stage the transport message will read "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync"

I am trying to sync the Finale notation program using LoopMIDI.  It seems to be working now.  However, along the way, Finale wasn't sending sufficient info.  When that happened, Platinum displayed the "Press<Esc> to cancel. Waiting for MIDI Sync" and then just hung.  There was no way to interrupt it.  I had to blast Platinum out of the water.  This cannot be right.

Sonar's inability to properly sync to an external midi clock is inexcusable IMHO! Granted I use it in a very "unconventional" fashion but I've finally learned to cheat its shortcomings.

I'm using a Korg PA Arranger Keyboard and, for the most part, the clock sync is a non issue until I employ NI's Strum Acoustic, AAS Strum GS-2 and any plugin that decodes chords with pro quality clips/grooves and sync to the host (Sonar's Clock). By manually setting both clocks to the same BPM, I rarely have an issue anymore.

Cakewalk developers should take an interest, or a least make an effort, to solve the issue. Kontakt, although not a DAW, locks onto my Korg PA like a vice when I run in standalone mode. If I didn't need the effects and other niceties in Sonar Platinum, I'd just dump it but, with 4 years of projects developed that I use live, I really can't afford that. I still hope it will be addressed eventually which I guess makes me a foolish, eternal optimist. As my 60th birthday arrives this year, I can't be the optimist for to many more years. I was at the NAMM Show when MIDI was introduced and its not as if it has been an unstable protocol. Enough venting, WAKE UP DEVELOPERS, you need us more than we need you.