Dave, what's the point of the thread? Just curiosity? Good topic, for whatever reason. Too bad the forum doesn't support polling, so the data might really be meaningful.

I sort of wanted to see if I was the only one who did not have a use for certain parts of the program. 

It looks to me like there is a somewhat biased trend that has appeared.  I understand that this small sampling means absolutely nothing but I was curious to see if there were features in there that honestly would prop up my belief  that they were a waste of time implementing.  I think that SONAR has way too many "me too" features and I would simply prefer the time be spent fully developing anything contained in the program and not just to the point where someone can say, "Yeah, we got one of those in SONAR too."

Me, I'd love to have a fully developed Staff View but it is very apparent that there are a lot of people who that would not benefit at all.   Maybe, even to the point of it being what it is at the current point and no more.

I was also hoping that this wouldn't develop into an argument about the legitimacy of any particular feature so I wasn't going to throw my opinion in at all but you asked and you have always been a thoughtful poster so I feel you deserve an honest answer.

Mod Bod

Dave, what's the point of the thread? Just curiosity? Good topic, for whatever reason. Too bad the forum doesn't support polling, so the data might really be meaningful.

I sort of wanted to see if I was the only one who did not have a use for certain parts of the program. 

It looks to me like there is a somewhat biased trend that has appeared.  I understand that this small sampling means absolutely nothing but I was curious to see if there were features in there that honestly would prop up my belief  that they were a waste of time implementing.  I think that SONAR has way too many "me too" features and I would simply prefer the time be spent fully developing anything contained in the program and not just to the point where someone can say, "Yeah, we got one of those in SONAR too."

Me, I'd love to have a fully developed Staff View but it is very apparent that there are a lot of people who that would not benefit at all.   Maybe, even to the point of it being what it is at the current point and no more.

I was also hoping that this wouldn't develop into an argument about the legitimacy of any particular feature so I wasn't going to throw my opinion in at all but you asked and you have always been a thoughtful poster so I feel you deserve an honest answer.

The echo your sentiments, I agree. I just thought of something though. Since this thread is about what you may NOT use, do you think that that's why some of the features were taken away? I realize customization is the biggest issue - as I would tailor the you-know-what out of my GUI - but what if the Bakers took that way because folks said: "We like things as they are." I know why customization or lack thereof, is a problem, but them taking stuff away because consumer asked for such is as much compliance as is asking them to add some. Don't knock me. I was only using the customization thing as an example.


Again, I like you, don't want the features I won't use to be taken away, but I've already stated my reason for getting the extra stuff I might not ever use.

Of the features I will use:

Many of them have to do with MIDI. If there comes a point where I'll use the "non-midi" features interweaving them with the midi, then I will - at least they are there when I'm ready to use them.

Mod Bod

Dave, what's the point of the thread? Just curiosity? Good topic, for whatever reason. Too bad the forum doesn't support polling, so the data might really be meaningful.

I sort of wanted to see if I was the only one who did not have a use for certain parts of the program. 

It looks to me like there is a somewhat biased trend that has appeared.  I understand that this small sampling means absolutely nothing but I was curious to see if there were features in there that honestly would prop up my belief  that they were a waste of time implementing.  I think that SONAR has way too many "me too" features and I would simply prefer the time be spent fully developing anything contained in the program and not just to the point where someone can say, "Yeah, we got one of those in SONAR too."

Me, I'd love to have a fully developed Staff View but it is very apparent that there are a lot of people who that would not benefit at all.   Maybe, even to the point of it being what it is at the current point and no more.

I was also hoping that this wouldn't develop into an argument about the legitimacy of any particular feature so I wasn't going to throw my opinion in at all but you asked and you have always been a thoughtful poster so I feel you deserve an honest answer.

Dave, this would be a more scientific poll if you asked the reverse as well:  how many use the features that you don't use.  You're only getting a sampling of people who don't use certain features and probably getting the responses you expected.  Since you opened this topic today, I have spent the last 5 hours trying some of these features, and, lo and behold, I like them.  I'm glad you helped me to broaden my horizons because now I know and understand more tools than ever before.  I know some features aren't very well implemented, but some will surprise you.  RIGHT ON, this has been a very productive day.  Thank you.
All the best,
Lynn

 - I have a Korg padKontrol that looks like it would fit perfectly with Beatscape, but I dont know how to use Beatscape.

The Matrix view looks really cool. I can get funky now and then. But I dont know how to use it.

What happened to the master classes, and all of the video tutorials we were gonna get ?

Mod Bod

Since you opened this topic today, I have spent the last 5 hours trying some of these features, and, lo and behold, I like them.

I wish someone would post something about Beatscape that would make my socks run up and down my legs and make me want to investigate it.  ;)

I did earlier in this thread.  It is a simple devise for playing samples and beats.  It is not unlike hardware units from Akai and other manufacturers.  You have a number of pads that you can fill with various samples and trigger them for playback.  Or, you can actually drag and drop the samples from Beatscape into the TV and play with them there.  It doesn't take a degree to figure it out, and it has quite a few useful noises and beats if that's your style, or if you're able to adapt.  Since the release of X1, I've had to rethink my entire way of doing things, and now I'm on a roll.  Perhaps you should remove the garters from your socks and let your legs breathe a little.  Do you wear spats, too? ;)
Hope this makes you want to experiment a little.
All the best,
Lynn

Mod Bod

I wish someone would post something about Beatscape that would make my socks run up and down my legs and make me want to investigate it.  ;)

Beatscape causes loss of bladder control.

Hey, they were better than nothing. :)

Video View Matrix View Beatscape Surround Sound Navigation view (Defender view) Step Sequencer Dreamstation synth Session Drummer - any version TTS-1 Synth

 
All the above plus I'd like to add ALL soft synths.
I have things like EWQLSO and Dim Pro that get used maybe once or twice per year. But I'm basically all real instruments.
 
Mike
EDIT: V-Vocal, ACT, and after reading some of the other lists I agree with most.
 
So I pretty much use VST plug-ins, Console View, PRV, The Channel Strip and the Track Pane (forget the term).

Beatscape - fun to play with, but not pertinent to my work
Matrix View - It could go bye bye and I would not miss it
Navigation View - I thought I would like it, but...
Notation - mainly an audio guy with a touch of midi here, so...
Most of the older synths never get loaded (probably some cool sounds in there)
ACT - not used but I'm glad it's there
AudioSnap - just can't seem to want to fool with this tool. I probably need to take the time to learn. I just don't use too many timing corrections. Usually if it is played badly, I redo the part. If it is minor tweaking, I slice and move clips parts.

Hidden Treasures:
Step sequencer can be a great tool for getting something down quick. There are also several shipped patterns that are pretty good.
Studio Instruments - these are not bad actually. I have a SI Drum template that uses two varying instances and it is a big and real sound. (versus real big sound :) )

Video View -
No, because I don't work with Video, its possible that may change in future.
Matrix View - I can think of some uses for it later on if Cake takes some of my other requests for setting up a way to shift from one marker to a named marker using act to enable a foot switch like an fcb 1010 to move me around in a project live while the project is playing allowing me to use snapshots to control scene changes live and use sonar like forte or cantabile.
Beatscape - installed it the other day will explore in the next few weeks
Surround Sound - No use to me at the moment but that could change some day.
Navigation view (Defender view) - Don't even know what it is!! Step Sequencer - can't think of any use for it
PRV haven't explored using it yet
Dreamstation synth - Never used it probably never will with better synths included
Session Drummer - I like it now but later on I will go to Superior Drummer, soon.
TTS-1 Synth - got VI one and proteus VX to work inside reaper rewired inside sonar
Arpeggiator - have not messed with yet
Publisher - Not yet External Inserts - Not yet
ACT - Not yet but I have a pcr500 and I will eventually.
Rapture and Z3ta I love these and dim pro even has some good sounds I love all the synth stuff but there are lots of free synths that are very good to use if you research KVR.
REX files (RPX)not yet
Audio Snap not yet
V-Vocal not yet
SFZ and SFZ+. Dimension pro is something I am just starting figure out very cool
V-Vocal pitch-to-MIDI plan on exploring this very soon

I'm a guitarist who plays keyboards some and I plan on adding superior drummer and getting a Roland GR55 next. I want to import drum midi files and integrate SD2 as well as use the GR55 to play virtual synths from my guitar. I mostly am learning to use everything now and reading a Garigus book I purchased

I've never used surround sound or Matrix View.  Although I don't want either to be removed or dropped from the update list, they are obviously good for some people. (and maybe me someday)

Beatscape has some really great samples.  Even if you do not like the player/sampler, the actual audio samples are very useful.  I have used them in many tracks.  Snares/Kicks/Percussion elements can all be layered with samples in the production phase.

Honestly, I don't see a point to this thread. except one mans opinion and recording habits.  I do not think the clouds will part and we will see a clear pattern of all Sonar users, from this thread.  If you are diverse in the types of music you create, it's likely you will find a use for many or most, of the included synths and plugs within Sonar. 

Dim Pro and Rapture are both very good synths.  Heck, even if you are a simple blues player, try out the Organ and Piano samples in DP, they are very useable.   There are things in Sonar I do not touch more than once a year, but when I need it, I am sure glad it's there.

If people took the time to really get to know the included synths and plug ins within Sonar, they may save themselves alot of money buying extra plug ins and synths.  If approached with an open mind, with the thought of "how can I make use of this in my music" you might come up with alot of creative ideas of using things like the arppegiator, Beatscape samples or any of the other included samples.  You might actually find your productions get better and better the more you take the time to learn the various tools you paid for.  Eventually you might say, "dang I can't believe I've had this on my computer for 5 years and never opened it once!"

Lynn, I've borrowed heavily from your post to express my similar sentiment.  Hope you don't mind.
 
"Some of the things on people's lists I haven't used much either; others I use all the time. However, I don't want the ones I hardly or (up to now) have never used to go away.  I like the variety & flexibility of features available. Often, I'm in the mood to experiment, and I want the option of using some of these features.  Also, I'm still learning and just because I don't use a feature now doesn't mean I will never use it.  Even tho it hasn't performed flawlessly for me, I, too, like the Matrix function to be able to experiment with alternate arrangements. Some of the older synths still have their uses even if they aren't supported anymore. It's interesting to see what people use and don't use, but I hope this doesn't lead to a movement to take features out of Sonar just because some forum members don't use these features. Better to make them work as advertised."
 
HeyDan

I can't use every feature at once, but I can try to use every feature at least once.

I can't use every feature at once, but I can try to use every feature at least once.

 
I like that.   

What happened to the punch in punch out lol totally ridiculoous that was. Press record record over part. Thats, that!