Sonar For Live Performance

Can Sonar be used in live performance?

Yep - absolutely. I run a project called Kicksville that probably implements Sonar in our live show to an extent way beyond anything else I've seen. But, depending on what your needs are, programs like Abelton Live or a VST host like Forte might be better. We use Forte alongside Sonar, and it's a really nice combination.
 
We basically do what Bob suggested: the whole show is laid out in one giant project file. I press start at the beginning of the show, and barring some horrible screw-up, it runs straight through. We have a really complicated, 72-input show, with all sorts of multimedia stuff going on. The tech is actually part of the show, so everything is run from the stage. We feed a stereo mix to FOH, steal their house DMX control, and Sonar pretty much runs everything:
 
1. up to 8 tracks of playback
2. 40-ish MIDI tracks for automation

• all audio console automation: fader, mute, pan, effect changes, effect and monitor send automation, routing, etc.
• program change automation for the 4 remote computers running Forte (VST & VSTi host)
• all video switching automation: source, transitions, output, etc.
• all lighting automation: MIDI notes trigger the "go" cues in Light Factory (computer-based lighting console)

3. MTC source for video world, also sends MTC to an analog filter (Filter Factory) to be able to do sync-ed sequencing
4. records a 2-track feed from our onstage console
5. also used for all pre-production, including mixing playback stems and providing reference levels to calibrate external gear
6. main Sonar screen run through a VGA splitter to monitors all over the stage for cueing, plus one large screen on the stage edge so the audience can see what's going on.
 
Here's an example - the audio is actually the 2-track direct feed back into Sonar, with no editing in post: http://youtu.be/omElhthKQIQ
 
We've never had any kind of problem with Sonar in the 7 years of touring, but part of that is what we've found to be the key for any computer-based system: don't stress the machine's capabilities, and you will rarely have problems. Even though the Kicksville show is pretty ginormous, the machine running Sonar isn't even breaking a sweat. Running a couple of playback tracks and a pile of MIDI tracks is nothing. All the heavy lifting (like hosting VSTs and whatnot) is spread around on different computers, so no one single machine is getting beat up on.
 
So...yeah...sorry for the really long answer to a short question ;-) Hope this at least helps explain that you can do an awful lot with Sonar if you want!

fascinating, conrad. just curious - what were the 8 tracks you played to, seemed like most instruments were live...

Interesting work kicksville. Subscribed to your YouTube channel.

I too use it for live performances. Live Theater to be exact. In my use Sonar sends MTC to the lighting board and midi program changes to the mixing console, as well as music and SFX to 8 different sends throughout the theater. I'm also sending VST effects into the live mics and instruments. The Playlist feature is essential to me in all of this. And it finally works again in sonar X3e!

Uber either is short for super or means potato - can't recall which :)
 
Edited - just found out it does NOT mean potato - (it's NOT a tuber! - in my best Arnold typing style)
 
Bob Bone
 

Been using Sonar Live for years. Never a problem....well, only problem was when they took out the playlist. The playlist was included in the next update! I use it for click, changing scenes on our monitor board and sending cues to the light board, curtains and etc.
The playlist makes Sonar one of the best daws for live situations

uber is over or above in german...

kicksville
Thanks a lot, Todd and Paul! And yeah, Cody - we're basically taking theatrical show control techniques and using Sonar to drive it all. The main difference is the automation is dynamic, so instead of calling scenes on the audio console, we're directly controlling fader moves, send levels, etc. There are about 140 defined controller destinations just for audio world.
 

 
Very interesting stuff.  I'm in Milwaukee(ish) and I'm going to have to stumble over to Madison for a show, It falls in line with too many of my professional and musical interests.  Great stuff, I'm enjoying the youtube'd bits from the show.