I guss I'll just right click on the desk top and it should take me to the properties menu?

Yes. On the display tab (german version here, so I'm not sure how it's called), select "silver" colour scheme and click on "advanced". There you can set the properties of XP elements - sizes, colours, fonts...

If you want to change the graphics of buttons etc. you'll need an tool for that, like those Blades suggested: www.stardock.com

werner

ORIGINAL: dreamkeeper

I guss I'll just right click on the desk top and it should take me to the properties menu?

Yes. On the display tab (german version here, so I'm not sure how it's called), select "silver" colour scheme and click on "advanced". There you can set the properties of XP elements - sizes, colours, fonts...

If you want to change the graphics of buttons etc. you'll need an tool for that, like those Blades suggested: www.stardock.com

werner

Yes, we want it to look like this. Not!

Although I would like the clips to be made to look a bit nicer. Just a simple 3D edge to make them stick out a bit more, and the clip text and waveform to be more seperate. Put the clip waveform below the clip name, like I've seen most other software do. I often have to expand a track down just to be able to see the waveform.

And why can't I drag Sonar windows outside of the main window, like I can the plugin windows? So I have multiple monitors but I can't put the Sonar mixer on the second monitor. Weak!

And give me a per-plugin CPU usage meter, so that I can track down problem plugins. Wait, this is now degrading into a wish-list. Never mind...

SilkTone

And why can't I drag Sonar windows outside of the main window, like I can the plugin windows? So I have multiple monitors but I can't put the Sonar mixer on the second monitor. Weak!

Er, you can. If you enable floating windows.
With all due respect, if you didn't know about this feature, then I don't think you're in the best position to discuss the pro's and cons of the interface.

screw how it looks! Fix the bugs!

I vote YES for change. I vote YES for improvement.

But clearly, the problem lies in the fact that what one person considers good, another may consider bad. Not a big problem, here is a possible solution, along the "skins" option.

Sonar should develop an a special program for users to modify the interface. For the sake of this post, let's just call it SDI = Sonar Definable Iterface. The program would allow users to make buttons, smaller or larger, or even make new buttons and icons and assign features or macros to them. Print could be made smaller or larger for those who hate straining to read. Go ahead, chop up the long "stringy" tool bars to remove buttons, add buttons, or whatever. The SDI program should have the capability to make drop-down menus, and to move tool bars onto the drop down menus, or put special options and feature you've created there. Don't like the colors, no problem, just change em. Don't see a button for a favorite feature. OK, make a feature (or macro), create an icon, assign the feature and add it to a new tool bar, or put it in an existing toolbar, and even put the tool bar on the drop down/ pull out menu, if you feel like it. How far do the drop down (or pull out) menus extend and whats on them? Hey, you're the boss, choose your sause! Have it your way.

And when you are all done, you save it to a *.sdi file. When you open Sonar, you can be given the option of which interface file to use. You then select your creation, or maybe, the standard Sonar version, or maybe a version somebody else worked hard on. Yes, you can download *.sdi files that others have made and try them out... and then change a few things yourself if you are not TOTALLY satisfied. You like Pro Tools? Maybe somebody will come us with Protools.sdi file that more closely emulates PT. All you have to do is download it and try it out. Maybe somebody could do a SonarBase.sdi file , or one that looks and works more similar to your favorite audio program.

If something like this existed in Sonar, I would not go totally hog wild, but I would definately change a few things and would love to look at any PT emulations. In fact, it could be an incredibly effective way to get users of other audio programs to try out Sonar and they could be more productive more quickly. More Sonar users is better for everybody. And then nobody can say, "I don't like the way Sonar does this..." because all they have to do is change it.

I know this is a lot to digest, but that's how I view the issue. and I'd love to see Sonar do it!

Steve,
You've made a minor mistake in disregarding human nature. On the most part people do not except change very well. There's a fear of uncertainty. They know what they have now and are in a security zone. I wouldn't expect an entire band wagon of users coming to your Sonar facelift idea, actually I would expect the exact opposite. I'm sure when Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, changed its GUI to Sonar 1, everyone was shocked in horror at first. Then they looked at it for awhile, grew confortable and now they probably wonder how they ever worked in that ugly toy like GUI of PA9. The same thing will hold true if Cake entertains the idea of changing the look of Sonar.

I personally miss the old spreadsheet look...

ORIGINAL: black mariah
Everyone in the "Leave it alone!" camp needs to be punched in the face. Stagnation for the sake of stagnation is no better than change for no reason.

But changing at the expense of CPU cycles is moronic.

ORIGINAL: Vskills

ORIGINAL: black mariah
Everyone in the "Leave it alone!" camp needs to be punched in the face. Stagnation for the sake of stagnation is no better than change for no reason.

But changing at the expense of CPU cycles is moronic.

Why do you think it would cost CPU Cycles to have a more succint and workable GUI?

You cannot honestly tell me, putting all natural allegiance aside that the GUI in this program is a good as the others....the program may be, but the GUI....no way

Respectfully, yes... I can.
I have no allegience to Sonar. In fact, before I tried it in a desparate effort to run away quickly from one of the competitors (listed as having a good GUI here by some) I never even imagined buying it. I was always of the mindset that it couldn't be as professional as "them."

However, the first thing I noticed when I opened the application for the first time ever, having no idea of ANYTHING about Sonar, was how compelling the GUI was. Everything I wanted was there... I could turn things on and off... I could change all the colors... I could dock things... I could float things... I could select how much info on the track view to by just clicking a tab...

Are there things I would add... yes.
Are there things I would remove or change... yes.
Would I be upset if all of incremental changes started occuring... no, of course not, and even a major refit if it is a logical step.
But I'm not unhappy now.

Perhaps it's because I'm new to it. Maybe my opinion will change after working with it for a while, but after working with Cubase and Logic as well I honestly find it more than adequate in comparison.

ORIGINAL: Rednroll

I could dock things...

Really? Could you tell me how to dock the Loop Explorer window, The Synth Rack, the console view, The video window, the Navigator, or most anything else located under the "Views" menu? I'm lost on this front.

Yes. In SONAR5 you click in the top-left corner of any of the windows you mention (except the console) and select "Enable Tabbed". The window will then dock itself into the tabbed bus-pane view.

Interesting piece of info: I have just started a poll on another forum about DAW GUIs. The poll has just started so any results are far from definite. Having said that, you might find this interesting:

Logic comes out as the favorite as far as looks are concerned yet it has ZERO votes for the sections "Graphical workflow and functionality", "Efficient use of workspace", "Overall". Cubase SX is the most used DAW and with the exception of 1 vote for looks it has ZERO votes in any other section. So far Sonar has the most votes for the "Overall" section.

I'll post again when there are more votes.

UnderTow

ORIGINAL: inmazevo

I have just started a poll on another forum about DAW GUIs

Right on. Can you post a link.

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/

Go to the "Music Recording Technology" forum and then the "Best Digital Audio Workstation GUI Poll" thread.

Cubase SX is the most used DAW and with the exception of 1 vote for looks it has ZERO votes in any other section

I hear this a lot (that Cubase is the most used DAW, though others say ProTools is used by more "professionals"), and I'd like to know where the data source for this is.
That's not meant as a jab, I promise,

Sorry for not being clear: It is the most used in this Poll so far! :)

UnderTow
Small update, someone has added votes for Cubase in nearly all sections. As I am following the votes closesly I can also see that that person has only used 2 DAW applications. Anyway, things will be more interesting when more people have voted. It really is too early to tell right now.

Oh...
You were clear... I was too quick at my conclusion.
Doh!!

ORIGINAL: inmazevo

Can't we all get along ?

Yes, and I hope I for one am not sounding argumentative. I don't mean to. I just don't like being told "come on, be honest with yourself, you don't really feel the way you do." That's all. But, everyone has their own opinion, which is why threads like these never die. It's a great way to kill time at work.

I agree!

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS AS OF 2/10/06 3:30 p.m. EST


MAKE SONAR LOOK RICHER, MORE 3D: -------- 31
KEEP SONAR THE WAY IT IS: ------------------- 32
UNDECIDED/DON'T CARE: ----------------------- 3


There have been a lot of requests for SKINS as an alternative to changing the GUI altogether