doncolga
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Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
I've posted here before that I'm discovering lots of useful things in Sonar that I simply didn't know and I wonder what else I'm missing that you all may use. If there's another list like this please feel to direct me too it.
What are the top five tools in Sonar that really improve your workflow?
At this point, these are mine (not necessarily in order). I realize it's six...
Track templates
Automation lanes
Step sequencer
All window management stuff
Keyboard shortcuts
Prochannel
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mmorgan
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/04 23:13:19
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In no particular order: - Multi-dock (MD)
- Smart Tool
- Inspector (I've seen it described by someone else as a "right click menu on steroids") - oddly even though I love the MD I float this window center screen and toggle on and off.
- Automation Lanes are most welcome and well implemented
- This one is hard to describe: It isn't a tool, it is the overall workflow and integration of all the tools. Kudos to the Sonar team at Cakewalk.
So there you have it, my fab five. Regards,
Mike Win8(64), Sonar X3e(64) w/ RME Fireface UFX.
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AT
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 00:54:26
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Multi-dock - at least for 64 bit effects/synths. Nice way to keep everything tidy and mostly at a mouse clicks reach. I have my dock on a second, smaller screen, along w/ the browser window stretched onto the left side. Very nice work flow.
Prochannel. Since I'm vested in it as far as the plugs, I seldom have to go outside of it for fx. The EQ could use an expand function, but then I figure I can just use my ears.
The smart tool is good, except when it ain't, then it is a pain.
Those are the one's that pop out.
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scook
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 01:18:12
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AT
Multi-dock - at least for 64 bit effects/synths.
I don't know if it matters but it is possible to dock 32bit plugins by their VST header. To access a 32bit plugin header, open the plugin UI holding the SHIFT key. The VST header is usually located behind the plugin UI. While the UI won't dock the header will and the it is possible to reopen the UI from the header.
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Anderton
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 01:32:29
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You've already mentioned a bunch of my favorites, but let me add... - Auto-zoom. That has saved me hours.
- Quick Grouping. I use it all the time.
- Clone track. If you're into hex guitar, it's a major time-saver. (Well, someone else must be into hex guitar!)
- Does the Velocity MIDI plug-in count as a tool? If so, add that to my list.
- Screensets!!
- Totally agree about the Pro Channel. The more I use it, the more I like it.
- V-Vocal and AudioSnap. I still don't understand why they don't give me problems...but I'm not going to say that too loud, just in case they hear me and decide to act up. However, I only use these manually to do spot correction of out-of-tune or out-of-time notes, so I don't stress them out too much.
I have mixed feelings about the Smart Tool. For MIDI editing, it's kind of a pain because I need to do so much "gear shifting" with the Function keys. I find it much more effective for audio.
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Kev999
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 02:29:38
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Screensets (this is the main reason why I upgraded to X2)
PRV (this was what attracted me to Sonar 6 originally)
Drum Maps (room for improvement, but I'd hate to live without them)
V-Vocal (even though I don't use it often it has always worked well for me)
Per-track EQ (always using it)
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 02:44:31
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Hard to put together a list because its the way things work together that matters. But I think overall the midi editing and recording is the main thing for me because 95% of my work is with virtual instruments. I also like the fact MIDI and Audio tracks can be kept well separated.
I looked at both Reaper and Studio one when X1 was released and did not like the MIDI implementation in either of them.
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ston
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 04:39:15
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D
SHIFT-D
Is that five?
Oh, OK...
Smart Tool (could be a little smarter though)
ProChannel
Folders
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Pragi
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 05:01:53
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My fayours:
pro channel effects
multi-dock
quick Groups
screen sets
browser
and this forum
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icontakt
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 06:19:05
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Secondary snap
X-ray
CAL (legato, double, etc.)
Center view (forgot the exact name but it's in the shortcut key list)
MultiDock with "Lock Content"
These aren't actually my top 5 but I thought maybe the OP doesn't know these yet.
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doncolga
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 06:47:41
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At least for the time being, I hardly ever touch the following that you all mentioned, so they'll be on my list to play with more first: - Screensets
- V-Vocal
- Quick Group
- AutoZoom
- Center View
- S shortcut for split (don't know why I never use that, and I split alot)
Thanks! Donny
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markyzno
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 06:58:08
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Pro Channel
Audio Transients
Multi Dock
Rmix
Smart tool
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karma1959
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 07:49:34
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1. This forum (but I know that's not what you were asking)
2. ProChannel - specifically the EQ, CA-2A, Concrete Limiter & tube gain plugins
3. Smart Tool (but as others have said above, this doesn't work in all situations)
4. Screensets
5. Track folders
6. Clone Track
I haven't used auto-zoom nor a shortcut for splitting clips - those are two I'll spend some time on - seems ilke they could be very handy.
Russ
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konradh
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 10:17:06
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Craig, Thanks for mentioning Clone Track. Even if I don't clone the content, setting up a track with EQ, input, reverb sends, etc. and then cloning it 11 times for cutting harmonies is a huge time-saver. This is something that could never have been done with hardware.
I also clone content before editing so I have a safety copy.
One trick we've discussed here before: to double lead or harmony vocals on a chorus (or any repetitive section), clone the track and then reverse the choruses on the clone (put chorus 1 where chorus 2 is and vice-versa).
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ltb
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 10:38:00
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- quick groups
- track templates
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musichoo
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 11:24:49
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Prochannel yeah! (Presets, compressor and concrete limiter)
Keyboard shortcuts.(F,B,I, Ctrl + Alt to cut)
Takelanes
Smartool
Just recently discover the power of V-vocal. (After hearing about it since Sonar 8.5)
Process>Apply Effect >Gain to increase or lower a clip's volume.
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 11:45:15
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1) Clip Effects bin so that I may use Melodyne discreetly, quickly and efficiently. 2) Horizontal track meters that display useful detail. 3) Real Time waveform drawing on the master bus. 4) Track and Bus FX Bins that allows use of the best of the best. 5) Piano Roll View Drum Map labeling. 6) Track Layers so that I can comp multi takes faster than fast. edit spelling
post edited by mike_mccue - 2013/09/05 16:01:32
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dubdisciple
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 14:24:26
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R-mix- I had been ignoring it for a long time but it has become quite useful for a wide variety of applications
Muliti-dock- simple but effective concept
Pro-Channel- It's so rare I use regular effects bin now
Take Lanes- they need some work but have become useful to me
Auto zoom- much better than previous system
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doncolga
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 15:30:53
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dubdisciple
R-mix- I had been ignoring it for a long time but it has become quite useful for a wide variety of applications
Muliti-dock- simple but effective concept
Pro-Channel- It's so rare I use regular effects bin now
Take Lanes- they need some work but have become useful to me
Auto zoom- much better than previous system
I'm going to try take lanes tonight. Since I've never used them in any form whatsoever, it will be interesting to share my experience, especially since alot of users would like improvements. Is there a delay available on Prochannel?
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dubdisciple
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 15:56:00
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Ludvig
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/05 16:05:48
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Is there a delay available on Prochannel?
In the Overloud VKFX bundle there is a delay. Less than $20 in the Cake store by itself or as a part of the bundle. http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/VKFX/Or you could use any of your delays in the ProChannel FX Chain module. Best Regards Ludvig
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noynekker
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 01:47:38
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doncolga . . . I think my favourite Sonar tools may be the keyboard shortcuts that I use frequently:
D (maximize / minimize multi-dock)
Shift-F (fit project tracks to window)
Shift-G (snap to beginning of a clip)
Control-TAB (toggle between Track View and Console View)
G (Go to time)
. . . and then for features there's:
Event Inspector
Channel Tools
Bounce To Clips
Pro Channel
Quick Groups
. . . am I only allowed five ?
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tvolhein
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 08:58:59
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1)
Pro Channel, except for reverb, I almost never use other effects.
2)
The feature in clip envelopes where I highlight, then raise the gain using the mouse pointer at the top 25% of the clip area.
3)
Split (S)
4)
Keystroke assignments. I assigned Alt-S to SaveAs. Saves me a lot of time, I do versions a lot.
5)
This forum
Tom
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garrigus
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 09:06:45
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bitflipper
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 13:18:37
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 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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doncolga
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 13:55:25
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noynekker
D (maximize / minimize multi-dock)
Shift-F (fit project tracks to window)
Shift-G (snap to beginning of a clip)
Control-TAB (toggle between Track View and Console View)
G (Go to time)
Very cool. Will try all those.
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SteveStrummerUK
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/06 15:12:01
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☄ Helpfulby madoues 2013/09/28 01:27:24
doncolga
noynekker
D (maximize / minimize multi-dock)
Shift-F (fit project tracks to window)
Shift-G (snap to beginning of a clip)
Control-TAB (toggle between Track View and Console View)
G (Go to time)
Very cool. Will try all those.
Don, customisable key-bindings would be in my top 5 for certain. I've assigned single-finger keystrokes to features and commands I use a lot, as it makes it so much easier if I'm holding a guitar to just use one hand. If anyone's interested, here's my latest set: 
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icontakt
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Re: Top Five Favorite Sonar Tools
2013/09/07 06:38:13
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doncolga
S shortcut for split (don't know why I never use that, and I split alot)
I use S for "Solo all selected tracks" (I seem to be ok with the Alt+Right-Click for split). When I'm working in TV, PRV, etc I just hit S to listen to only the current track.
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