Skyline_UK
I wish CW would do a comprehensive video about this. I confess I am utterly confused after reading all of the above.
For me the synth rack change fixed something that wasn't broke.

Exactly-

chuckebaby
I hope I don't sound ignorant by saying this but...Have you read the documentation ?

Yes.

Sometimes complaints are simply a matter of a misunderstanding, Not checking how the new features work when they are released.

And sometimes not

azslow
"allow both the media browser and the synth rack to be open at the same time" could mean I can drag and drop an Instrument into Rack from the browser.... No, I can not
 

You're right. It seems like a glaring error that you can't drag a synth from the instrument tab to the synth rack.

EDIT: cuz i'm dumb

azslow3

chuckebaby
I hope I don't sound ignorant by saying this but...Have you read the documentation ?

Yes.

Sometimes complaints are simply a matter of a misunderstanding, Not checking how the new features work when they are released.

And sometimes not

not sure what else to tell you man. Drag it to the multi dock, the browser, or roll back. your choice.

I think the correct Windows GUI term for the thingy at the right hand side that collapses/expands is actually a "Docker".  So I don't understand why it is still referred to as a "Browser".   Maybe that's all it used to do, but the fact that it can "Dock" multiple tools in their own modules now is very different from when all the tools had tabs at the top of the "Docker".  This Docker can now contain several "Browsers".
 
The thingy at the bottom of the workspace is still called the"Multidock".  It functions in a similar fashion to this "Docker" now at the right hand side of the Sonar workspace.
 
I think Cakewalk should revise their documentation using only naming conventions that reflect the true functionality of these GUI elements.  The Synth Rack View change is confusing especially because of the functionality change, but descriptive element names haven't kept up.  Too many "Browsers" leads to operator confusion ...

chuckebaby
not sure what else to tell you man. Drag it to the multi dock, the browser, or roll back. your choice.

It is no so bad to roll back. The places near the browser and undocked are not good because of already shown behavior. So multi dock is the only reasonably working place for the moment, where the synth can be found with 2 clicks (the tab in multidock + the synth) and without side effects.
 
Effectively, the change is: Synth Rack is moved from the Browser tab to the Multidock tab. I use ACT for parameters controls when I need that so that new placement has no advantages for me. As I have already written, I can leave with that and after a while I will probably forget that it was different before.
 
But I was curious either I am the only one who observe some related "features". May be these are really just bugs and CW can fix them once aware
 
 

azslow3

chuckebaby
not sure what else to tell you man. Drag it to the multi dock, the browser, or roll back. your choice.

It is no so bad to roll back. The places near the browser and undocked are not good because of already shown behavior. So multi dock is the only reasonably working place for the moment, where the synth can be found with 2 clicks (the tab in multidock + the synth) and without side effects.
 
Effectively, the change is: Synth Rack is moved from the Browser tab to the Multidock tab. I use ACT for parameters controls when I need that so that new placement has no advantages for me. As I have already written, I can leave with that and after a while I will probably forget that it was different before.
 
But I was curious either I am the only one who observe some related "features". May be these are really just bugs and CW can fix them once aware
 
 

I totally understand where you are coming from.
Every once in a while something in Sonar changes and im not so happy about it. I have a certain workflow, im set in my ways. If something changes and breaks that workflow, well it slightly irritates me. But I have found over time I get used to changes and incorporate new things in my workflow. I guess looking at the big picture though I have to understand that Cakewalk is trying their best to improve the product and by doing so..well sometimes people are not going to be happy, while others will be very happy.
 
No matter what you choose to do, I hope it all works out for you in the end.

Got to admit, the first time I came across this change it annoyed the crap out of me while I hunted around for the synth rack. Worked it out but still seems like an unnecessary change. It wouldn't be so bad but Sonar's ability to remember window settings while undocked is pretty terrible e.g. piano roll.

 

Bristol_Jonesey
 
The third effect: as soon as I add a Synth into undocked Rack, the rack disappear. When presented as a module, it collapse to the state I have shown before.

 
Small annoying thing for me- hope it changes. Synth rack disappears behind the media browser. I have to drag the media browser out of the way in order to see the synth rack again. Nothing I can't live with though.

Keith Albright [Cakewalk]
 
That was an intentional change to allow both the media browser and the synth rack to be open at the same time.

That is the advantage I see. Probably of more value to others than me. (below explains why)
 
Before this change I had no problem dragging a synth to the Multi-dock. I liked it too. Tab per synth in the Multi-dock worked fine for me.
 
 

Can someone help me understand one question:
 
1) If you have the Browser (opened with "B" shortcut) undocked (aka "floating") can you dock the synth rack in that floating window? (As it used to be before 2016.11...)
 
The manual says that the "Synth Rack can be docked in the browser" and the 2016.11 release PDF says "The Synth Rack can live /.../ in the Browser". But I can only dock the synth rack module BELOW the browser module, but I can't dock it IN it. Are those sentences just confusingly formulated?
 
I noticed that if you have the Browser docked AND the synth rack docked below it as well - then both will be displayed/hidden when you press "B".
 
Bristol_Jonesey - you posted some helpful pictures, but first picture causes confusion since the synth rack is docked below the browser module, not inside it.
 
Lovely confusion. :)