So what X2 features should I write about first for my Sonar column in Sound on Sound?

Workflow changes... Auto Zoom, Track auto zoom, Track layers, Smart tool.... get my vote.

Given that the guitar sim can be purchased off the shelf for any DAW, I would stick to what makes Sonar X2 unique. 

I agree with rcrees, but I would also go with the Pro Channel, including the bundled console emulation and the special PC version of Rverb. Also, the way that you can now set up FX chains in the PC is pretty damn cool with the customised knobs which can be assigned to any combination of regular plug-ins to make a custom super-effect.

I know a few people have bagged the PC, from the point of view that dedicated PC FX are tied to Sonar. But Cakewalk's PC interface is just so damn user friendly. Throwing a gate on a track or doing dynamic processing has never been more natural or convenient.

I can always count on this forum to come through! Thanks!! Keep the suggestions coming, and hopefully there will be a consensus.

Workflow changes and PC effects chains sound cool to me!

Rocky

 I really believe that what really needs coverage and exposure is the ABYSSIMAL state of the Staff View. This is a supposed to be a cornerstone to a serious DAW but it has been left to rot for more than a dozen upgrades. Look at this Cubase video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqDK2Rhpb3g) that features a few apsects of their Notation offering and TRY not to feel embarrassed and/or envious...

Maybe if this gets "outside" big league coverage, it would light a fire under their buttocks, maybe add a good dose of well deserved embarrassment. Always hard to read the marketing blurbs that want us to believe that they offer a PRO solution. They don't! Professional musicians read, use, write, edit, arrange with NOTATION.

PS might be a risk to add this to your column as it would probably put you in their bad books...

Cakewalk refusal to even comment the myriads of posts on the Forum, calls to support, ect... only adds to the injury. At the very minimum being exposed on SOS might have CW offer the forum an official comment on future plans or tell us square that they will never address it.

Anderton


I'm (once again) using y'all as a focus group...when a new version of Sonar comes out, it's always a big problem to figure out what to cover first in my Sonar columns for Sound on Sound. Should I do the console emulation...no wait...the guitar sim! But there's also the automation, that's cool, and the workflow changes...

So if you could have me write about any new X2 feature in depth, which one(s) would it be?

Start off with the new work flow enhancements like auto zoom, track layers, ect, then move to the new Pro channel features. Then wind up explaining FX chains.


While you could talk about Overloud's Breverb and TH2 I think the new features minus third party features would be a great way to start, and should take priority. If you are writing a series, console emulation should be part of the new pro channel section. Greater stability should also be mentioned.


I have your videos on X1 (advanced workshop and advanced workshop the next level) You should do one for X2 and talk about tricks with R-mix, console emulator, Breverb, Effects chain ideas, and using TH2.


You are good at thinking outside the box and I would buy the new X2 advanced video if you made one.

lanes man...lanes..automation and take lanes..the best thing since sliced onions.

and staff view guy..i dont believe daws are measured for their staff view enhancments.
thats why they make notation software man.
dont be mad at the daw,be mad at yourself for getting a decent notation software like i have done.

Shinyhead


 I really believe that what really needs coverage and exposure is the ABYSSIMAL state of the Staff View. This is a supposed to be a cornerstone to a serious DAW but it has been left to rot for more than a dozen upgrades.

So, let me get this right, you want Craig to write an article for SOS where he's expected to give the Staff View a good bashing?

I think you've missed the point here my friend. Craig writes excellent tutorials which are an aid to anyone trying to educate themselves on some of Sonar's finer points. It's NOT a platform for him or anyone else to vent their spleen about an ongoing problem.

I am doing MIDI most of the time and really come to appreciate the PRV and SMART Tool.With Pro Channel I can quickly dial up an EQ and compressor. And Breverb, TH2 (I also had a guitar rock number) and Console Emulation really spice things up for me. The overall workflow has been improved. The downside is some bugs still hangs around.

This is fantastic. You've just designed my next three columns :)

I think the PC chains might be a good place to start. I'm still finding out little workflow tricks, whereas I think I have the chains thing pretty much nailed. It would be frustrating (and embarassing!) to write a column on workflow and overlook something cool.

Also I had an idea - to re-visit mastering with Sonar. I've always been against putting processors on the master bus if you're going to master something, but...I think maybe I've found a new way of looking at it.

As to notation, the column is not opinion/editorial, it's technical. My priority is coming up with techniques that are useful but not generally well known. If there are limitations, I also like coming up with workarounds. And frankly, the lack of a really good staff view doesn't bother me so it would be difficult to get too worked up about it. I think one reason why I get along well with Sonar is because I just happen to fit their target audience.

I agree, after a few weeks the biggest positive features in X2 are the workflow changes.....

Second area appears to be more included VST and VSTi's.  And let's not forget the channel mixer configuration.

And, this has to be most stable major version release from the BAKERS in a long time.

Jim

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk
]

Hi Craig,

My vote as a nice topic for an X2 power user column would be exploring the quick grouping features available.  Quick grouping has been enhanced quite a bit in X2 with several new operations available and there are a ton of things that you can do to simplify common tasks that users have not discovered.  
If you are doing PC FXChains you can even touch on this topic there - every control in PC effects chains is quick groupable so you can affect multiple effects chains by simply selecting tracks/buses and moving controls.

Noel one i've found that can't be quick grouped and bugs me a little.  I use colour Icons for my tracks.  For instance I use the purple colour for all my drums. I have to go into each individual icon to change its colour to purple.  It would be a whole lot easier if I could quick group them then hit purple!


Not a biggie at all but something I wish I could do, tell me I'm right and I'll submit a feature request. :-)


PS sorry for the off topic comment.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk
]

Hi Craig,

My vote as a nice topic for an X2 power user column would be exploring the quick grouping features available.  Quick grouping has been enhanced quite a bit in X2 with several new operations available and there are a ton of things that you can do to simplify common tasks that users have not discovered.  
If you are doing PC FXChains you can even touch on this topic there - every control in PC effects chains is quick groupable so you can affect multiple effects chains by simply selecting tracks/buses and moving controls.

One of the cool things with quik grouping is being able to insert a module in PC into several/or all tracks at the same time and set the controls all at the same time.  For instance, If you intend on using the Console Emulator, it can be inserted into all tracks at the same time, positioned in the PC, and the controls set to what you want.
 
Something that I'm not certain of is it an oversite that the "Key" parameter on midi tracks cannot be Quick grouped? Also, why would there be a hot key to change the parameter by '8' instead of an octave '12' like in all previous versions of Sonar?
 

I vote for the Pro Channel and FX Chains.  Love your articles, btw ... keep 'em comin'!  I've been reading your stuff since the Guitar Player mag days in the seventies.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk
]

Hi Craig,

My vote as a nice topic for an X2 power user column would be exploring the quick grouping features available.  Quick grouping has been enhanced quite a bit in X2 with several new operations available and there are a ton of things that you can do to simplify common tasks that users have not discovered.  
If you are doing PC FXChains you can even touch on this topic there - every control in PC effects chains is quick groupable so you can affect multiple effects chains by simply selecting tracks/buses and moving controls.

Noel, why did they remove the ability to quick group Key +/- starting with X1?