So if Cakewalk (or Anderton) were to do some videos, what would you want to see?

Good Day,
As Dave suggests and perhaps links from within help documentation to instructional or example video's, at least for more major categories of help, (e.g., Audio Snap). I find a lot of the help documentation is somewhat limited to showing a certain feature is available and/or keystrokes to apply/invoke features, but may lack the context of when's or why's it is used and possible results, pro's, con's, perhaps through graphical/animated examples.
Im thinking also some updating and new content to Cakewalk TV/University video's is needed.
 
What would be nice, as I believe Dave is also suggesting is a complete/official Sonar walk-through course of a small project with both audio/midi content, (with why's, when's and how's) going from, preferences settings, track organization, level setups and recording, mixing and applying various plug-ins, gain, automation, etc., to importing to final stereo/surround track, and possibly a mastering series.
 
An interactive (live) online course with Craig Anderton, and/or other instructors is something Id definitely be willing to pay for, at a reasonable cost.
 
That being said I guess there are some Cakewalk and or 3rd-party video courses (e.g., Craig Anderton's new book), and other educational stuff out there on Sonar use that can be purchased, although most also need updating, and/or through online services such as Groove-3. 
 
Cheers
 
 
 

Dave,
This is a GREAT idea for a thread.  I would love to see videos of new features.  I know that they're there, but quite honestly I have no idea of what they are or how to use them.

AT
Considering how many "starter" questions come to the sonar forum I think a basic starter video about how to record audio, then midi, simple mix of a couple of tracks.

yes, agreed, plus this (new users) is also the target market

Step 1. Compile a list members of this forum who have less than 100 posts.
Step 2. Compile a list of threads on this forum created by anyone on the member list from step 1.
Step 3. Comb through those threads and you will discover exactly what new users struggle with the most. Any effort put into making tutorial/help videos should thoroughly and completely address each and every new user struggle revealed in those threads before any consideration is given to videos on more advanced topics.

pwalpwal
what about a monthly release video covering the same stuff as the e-zine, or at least the new/changed stuff?

 This is a brilliant idea.

chuckebaby

pwalpwal
what about a monthly release video covering the same stuff as the e-zine, or at least the new/changed stuff?

This is a brilliant idea.

Agreed

Routing, buses, sidechaining, all that good stuff.

JohanSebatianGremlin

The point is, many here seem to want to completely discount or otherwise disregard the issue of new users struggling to learn (and ultimately leaving) the platform. Left unchecked, sooner or later that issue could end up biting all of us in the butt.

Your point about new users is valid, I just don't see placing that monkey on Craig's back.  What he does on these forums is in his personal capacity.
 
For one, Cakewalk really needs to beef up the getting started tutorials in the User Manual.  There is much room for improvement there.
 
There are some Cakewalk knowledge base articles that you will get steered towards if you ask questions on the forum. "How do I  optimize Sonar or my PC for audio", "do I need a real audio interface?", "I'm getting crackling, static, or dropouts in my audio, what should I do?" may be among the most common questions I have seen on the forum.
 
Getting started with Sonar is definitely not a smooth process, with a start to finish table of contents to map the way.  It's scattered about in many pieces.  Some things are in the manual, some techniques are on YouTube, some new feature info appears in the monthly eZine. Check the Sonar Power book, forum threads,  Knowledge Base,  Google searches ... sigh ... I keep noticing this every time I try to find a helpful reference to quote with an answer I give to a question on the forum...
 
Probably the closest thing to a real handbook is the Sonar Power book series.  I have purchased most of them over the years.  Highly recommended!

I was considering the new user experience again and something occurred to me.
 
How many differing background levels of knowledge may exist among new users?  Where to begin to address them and bring them up to speed on pre-requisite knowledge?  Whose job is it?  How do you create one educational tool that addresses all of them???
 
1. New computer users, how savvy are you in configuring a new PC, or setting one up for real-time audio apps?
2. New musicians, just want to write a new song, practice my instrument, etc...
3. New DAW users, where do I plug in the mic and guitar?
4. New Sonar users, I could do this in [Cubase, Live, StudioOne, Logic, Bitwig, Reaper, Pro Tools] now where the f*&%$ is this in Sonar?
5. Just got it for my birthday, my husband/wife thought it was cool ...
6. I wanna make beats!
 
Disclaimer: This was not intended to be harsh on new users, but just a humorous look at the attitudes or assumptions some have about oversimplifying the needs of beginners. It's not that simple ...

+1 for new song.  Start out by making the thing downloadable (or install through command center.
Initial project would have the tracks set up as just what was recorded no effects, just simple audio at first to start.  Then the next step maybe would be to add MIDI.  Take the two tracks and show getting a basic Mix still NO EFFECTS!
 
Use THIS project that everyone has to show short videos on how to do things.  At this point, Craig's Big Book of Tips:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FYI-The-Big-Book-of-SONAR-Tips-is-Now-Available-Heres-the-Contents-m3524871.aspx
could possibly be adapted for use with the baseline project.  (THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!  but a whole lot of work!)
 
Or the project could expand in different directions:
One branch could show the project expanding using Groove Clips.  Another could show the addition of live drums/percussion.  All the while making the RAW tracks available for download.
 
No effects come into play until a really nice basic mix is set up (maybe including patch points and aux tracks).
Include setting up busses, routing etc.
 
I know this is a lofty dream, but getting everyone on the same baseline of recorded and MIDI tracks is key. 
That way everyone should be able to see what is being done to the tracks and more importantly WHY and how they may be able to apply it to what they are doing.
 
Just my 2 cents...
 
 

I got to say that Kenny Gioia's  Reaper Explained (free so too his Reaper Mainia) and the ones he does for Protools is a benchmark of video teaching; Short step by step, repeated tutorials showing of the tools, tips and tricks.
The style of Kenny Gioia is perfect and his un assuming matter fact clearly precise accent like Mr Wolf in Pulp Fiction is a winner. LOL            
                                 
 Whereas alot of the short cuts already exist in Sonar and much of pain has been done for you by cakewalk, plus the look, the included soft synths and Pro Channel really make Sonar the more advanced and far more user friendly DAW but it has its complexities and advanced features under the hood and the ease of use still needs to be learned.
Please don't make the mistake of explaining while doing nothing on the screen or talking too much or having what version is the fastest races.
Don't make the mistake of selling the tool, tip or short cut or Sonar or other content to the viewer who already is in need as he is watching it; in other words a tutorial is not a promo video to wit there are already too many that sell and don't show or actually explain for use.
 
Do not underestimate the power of simplicity! Like in music all flash and overly busy talks to no one.
Here is the mind set. The person is watching the tutorial in his lunch hour at work and that night he is going to apply what he learned from the Tutorial.
If he can do it without referencing the video again you are brilliant. If he trys to do it and is happy references the video once or twice at the most you are awesome.
 
Keep the videos to the length of a 60's hit single 2 mins and 40 sec or there abouts.
Show, demonstrate without any extraneous chatter.  
Use very stable camera orientations, only very gentle zooms and slow highlights including mouse movements.
Repeat the instructions as though the person will never see the video again.
Impart the knowledge to him so that he gets what to do from the video and can go to the bomb and defuse it. LOL That is about the magnitude of the instruction.
 
We all have different needs and approaches to how we use our DAWs so to take us through someone's penchant for how they do it is a video in itself but separate from instructional videos.
 
If you take Craig's Friday Tools,Tips and Shortcuts and cull them down to basics and consider the very new user first, you will win!
You will have a comprehensive series and a league of users who are brought up to being Power users!
If there already exists a video how to do it; I can tell you it is a video that shows off a function and doesnt really break it down for a green user.
I am a Sonar user since S6 and I still only can do very basic audio recording and mixing on X2. The long way automation etc and audio editing the bomb goes off LOL. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sonar University was a great resource for the previous versions.  While a lot of the content still applies, they could stand to be refreshed a little.