So there you go...
To the OP, of you dislike Sonar and want it to work in a certain way... Just disable JavaScript in your browser and watch out for aliens...


Case closed..

Thanks - and I agree with most of your points.  My main complaint is not that I need a paper manual. but I was at least expecting a PDF that I could download to my smart phone, etc. and familiarize myself with new commands. etc.

For me, being able to research and read first, works better.  YMMV
 
I was thrilled with PA9. but a 2002 Dell that finally died, a Delta 1010 soundcard that had the old pin connector - it was time to upgrade.  A collaborator (and good friend) convinced me on this.  Remember my only goal was to get it into 'Track View' and confirm download and licensing that night.   
 
I just bought X3 Power to help me from Scott Garrigus.  Cakewalk Power was invaluable on the old program.  He's an excellent technical writer 

In response to kitekrazy1 - In the meantime I was trying to get started - and I work during the week. 

AnthonyMangos
Tried to download Addictive Drum Solo  XLN - It's not accepting the product key I was given in my connected products (groan).  since Sonar Cakewalk has not even responded to my original request I don't even want to deal with them.  Has anyone else had this problem??
 
I just need to get started.  Lay a drum beat down, record some bass - whatever.

Probably better to send a support request to XLN. Their system is a little screwy. They do (usually) seem to respond pretty quick compared to Cake's email support (which is why I always call Cake when I need help instead).
 
Make sure you have setup an account on the XLN website if you haven't already. They also have registration/installation program that needs to be installed to actually get their products working (kind of like Native Instruments does).
 
Honestly the biggest PITA for me when installing X3/Splat was wrestling with XLN's site. Everything else went smoothly.
 
Welcome back.

I would like to know where the manual is installed. I know there is one because I have the X3 manual which I moved to my Google Drive folder so I could read it on my phone. But since then I've done a full wipe & reinstall of Sonar and for the life of me I can't find where they put the manual. I've looked all over my system drive folders and also in my documents folder but no dice. 

It's not there on mine.   

I downloaded exactly as they said - and 1 to 6 weekdays doesn't work for me.
 

AnthonyMangos
It's not there on mine.   

As scook pointed out... make sure you actually installed it. It's part of one of the sub packages. It doesn't get installed with the core program. Did you use the Cakewalk Command Center to install the program or are you doing the offline installation (which requires you manually download and install each package)?
 
If you are using CCC it should show you what's been installed and what hasn't been (green red and yellow lights from what I understand... but I install manually).

When you expand the SONAR Professional item in the Command Center by clicking what is pointed to by the red arrow in the image below, you will see the associated installers. One of them should be the local help. Here is an image of SONAR Platinum expanded to show all of its installers. Notice they all have green lights indicating they are installed and up to date. A red light would mean that item is not installed. A yellow light would mean an update is pending and needs to be installed

WRT Addictive Drums http://www.cakewalk.com/S...tallation-Instructions

Beepster

sharke
I would like to know where the manual is installed. I know there is one because I have the X3 manual which I moved to my Google Drive folder so I could read it on my phone. But since then I've done a full wipe & reinstall of Sonar and for the life of me I can't find where they put the manual. I've looked all over my system drive folders and also in my documents folder but no dice. 

Go to your C drive > Program Files > Cakewalk > Sonar Platinum (or whatever version you want/have installed) and you'll see the Sonar Reference PDF in the list (if you installed the Cake Content stuff).
 
Thank scook for that info. He told me where it was a couple months ago.
 
Cheers.

Ha it's always the last place you look....I usually find manuals in my documents folder, I wasn't expecting it to be right there with the Sonar executable. 

Scook, I installed Command Center and the local documentation was installed.
 
I found the manual/tutorial - you have to open the program go to edit/preferences/advanced/ check always use local help.
My friend actually sent me an e-mail a week or so ago that I forgot about.  I would never have gone to edit to get a tutorial or manual.  Scook's mention of local help jogged my memory. 

Now can people understand how (1) that is not really intuitive and (2) a new user might never get there on their own?  You have to open the program and go through a few menus/settings to get to the documentation that tells you how to use it!!!  That might be a good screen to show during the download process.  It's not visible as a separable file in the folders.  You think they might sell a few more copies if stuff like that was clear.
 
It would have at least delayed my rant on here a bit while I read it. 
 
Beepster I created an account with XLN and downloaded their stuff but it would not accept the SN I got with Cakewalk.

Now they accepted my serial number and I've installed the Addictive drums and the three packs that I get.  Don't ask me.  I copied the serial number last night too.   I routed the 64 bit path to my desktop and then it installed.

AnthonyMangos
I found the manual/tutorial - you have to open the program go to edit/preferences/advanced/ check always use local help.
My friend actually sent me an e-mail a week or so ago that I forgot about.  I would never have gone to edit to get a tutorial or manual.  Scook's mention of local help jogged my memory. 

This is still not the pdf. What you are doing is forcing SONAR to ignore the internet connection and use the local Windows style help file. The pdf should be where the SONAR.chm (the file you are forcing SONAR to use instead of the server based web pages) and exe reside. Other than the reader, the content of the chm and the web are the same, with the possible exception the web may be slightly more current. The pdf on the hand is a snapshot of the help which happened almost a year ago. Just like every version of SONAR for the last 5 years or so. If the pdfs are not installed, email support.

AnthonyMangos
Beepster I created an account with XLN and downloaded their stuff but it would not accept the SN I got with Cakewalk.

I think there have been occasional problems with the s/n's when being registered. Again something to contact XLN about (and maybe Cakewalk as well at the same time).
 
In the meantime I'm going to suggest a couple things that are known to sometimes cause these issues.
 
1) Make sure, if you haven't, that you try manually typing the s/n or reg numbers instead of copying and pasting. Some registration stuff has anti pirating features that won't accept a copy/paste but manually typing it in makes it work.
 
2) Pay close attention to captilization of any letters in the codes. That generally has an affect on whether a code is accepted
 
3) In my experience some reg schemes want you to include spaces and dashes shown in the code. Other times they don't. Roll of the dice and I forget what XLN wants.
 
4) If it's a "box" system or weird autofill/tab thing where there are multiple boxes for segments of the code pay attention that the right numbers are going in the correct box (these things all seem to be different... it's annoying).
 
5) Again if you don't have Internet Explorer set as your default browser and have the correct internet security settings the XLN installer simply will not work. I have had to temporarily switch my browser from Firefox to XLN any time I snag something from their site. Their installer DEMANDS it... which I dislike very much.
 
Anyway you may know some or all of that. It's been too long since I've dealt with XLN so I don't recall exactly what all I had to do but EVERY time I've gotten something from them (even when it was just a demo years ago) I had to contact support. Super complex and scattered for no apparent reason.
 
If you think Cake's scheme is convoluted all I can say is take a deep breath/count to ten/drink some chamomile tea before trying to sort out the XLN reg/download/install stuff.
 
Their support really is good though. I think they might even offer remote service if need be.
 
Cheers.