Why dosen't X3 have an integrated slicer/sampler feature?

I still a bit surprised that X3 does not include even a basic slicer/sampler.  It seems every major DAW has this feature -- except SONAR.
 
Now, I know there's going to be the following suggestions, so I'd like to address them as well.
 
1) You can buy a third party solution (i.e., Kontakt).
I have several problems with this.  I think an integrated solution would be more elegant and streamlined.  Secondly, it seems a waste that you need to put out additional money for a feature that seems now quite common in other DAWs.
 
2) You can use Session Drummer 3 and slice from Audiosnap.
You can do this, but it's not a very good solution.  One reason is it's pretty cumbersome to prepare the slices using Audiosnap.  You have to copy each one from Audiosnap to SD3.  SD3 only has basic controls, no ADSR envelopes or filters.  Also, it's limited to about 10 samples or so.
 
If I were to plan this feature out (and I might do this as a feature request), I would basically like to see the Audiosnap window modified to add a function "Slice samples to Midi Track" and then have it create an instrument track (or something like an instrument track) with some kind of Cakewalk-integrated sampler as either an embedded sampler on that track, or even as a VST, if possible.  That sampler would be able to do basic wave editing, ADSR envelope and basic filtering.  I would also like the ability to drag and drop an Audiosnapped-slice to a slot in the sampler, and also allow any other operation in which you can grab a section of audio to either drag-drop or paste into a sampler slot.  
 
Currently, I'm doing this with things like Kontakt, Battery and SliceX, but I still think an integrated solution would be better as an all-around feature.
 
What do others think?
 

after watching plenty of sound design videos in ableton, I would love to have something like their sample editor incorporated into Sonar.
 

 
Nothing is going to compete with samplers like Kontakt or Maschine etc., but to be able to manipulate existing wave files on a track in Sonar would be a great workflow enhancement. I seriously think Loop Construction becoming a more flexible Sampler/Wave editor would be of great benefit.
 
At the moment the Loop Construction functions are pretty much useless, or redundant because of other workflow methods:

• Pan and volume = track or clip automation
• Pitch = much much better results with Process > Transpose (in fact LC pitch is unusable) 
• Ctrl + Drag to time stretch always sounds way better while Ctrl + L always sounds grainy and full of artifacts, even after bouncing down.

Immediate access to Radius pitch shifting, reverse, warping, start/end, and so on just by double clicking any wave file, would be amazing. To see an example of how this workflow approach can be used to its full potential check out The Art of Mr Bill 2 on youtube.
 
 

forkol

perfectprint
...
At the moment the Loop Construction functions are pretty much useless, or redundant because of other workflow methods:

• Pan and volume = track or clip automation
• Pitch = much much better results with Process > Transpose (in fact LC pitch is unusable) 
• Ctrl + Drag to time stretch always sounds way better while Ctrl + L always sounds grainy and full of artifacts, even after bouncing down.

Immediate access to Radius pitch shifting, reverse, warping, start/end, and so on just by double clicking any wave file, would be amazing. To see an example of how this workflow approach can be used to its full potential check out The Art of Mr Bill 2 on youtube.

Perfectpitch, I was trying to be diplomatic, but I agree 100%, the current loop construction view is beyond useless.  Actually, I was very confused when Craig Anderton said that Sonar's strengths was in creating loops -- because I find it anything but that.

Believe me, most sample libraries are Acidized so poorly - with the notable exception of Sony's libraries - I have to edit the Acidization in the Loop Construction window just to get them to work the way they're supposed to.
 
Given that,  I will say that DSP has gotten really good, to the point where many people will no longer to need to use Acid or REX files. However, files stretched via DSP will not follow tempo changes in a song. As one of those old-school guys who believes that tempo variations allow music to "breathe," I find the ability to track tempo changes very important.

perfectprint
 
At the moment the Loop Construction functions are pretty much useless, or redundant because of other workflow methods:

• Pitch = much much better results with Process > Transpose (in fact LC pitch is unusable) 
• Ctrl + Drag to time stretch always sounds way better while Ctrl + L always sounds grainy and full of artifacts, even after bouncing down.

You have to differentiate between real-time and offline processes. An offline process will always sound better than one that has to be done on the fly, because the offline process has the time to do extensive DSP.
 
I've gotten into plenty of arguments with people who said Ableton Live had a horrible audio engine and it was the worst-sounding audio software in the world. They didn't realize the clips they were playing were undergoing pitch- and time-stretching. 

REX (and RX2) files are proprietary and one needs to buy recycle or reason to make ones own
 
Shortcircuit is a now-free sampler that includes slicing functionality
(http://vemberaudio.se/shortcircuit.php )
 
personally I use Linplug's RMV for creative slicey-dicey
(http://linplug.com/rmv.html )
 

Microtonic
YES! YES! YES! More modern instruments! More integration! I wrote a lot of interesting ideas for Russian Roland Sonar Team but... Sonar X1 don`t have it... Sonar X2 don`t have it, Sonar X3 don`t have it... 
Other DAW make it, but Sonat don`t have it. :) 
 
Sonar is not for experemental or progression electronic musician. Sonar don`t have simple modules and tools for the experemental audio edition like Battery, SliceX.
Today Sonar X3c don`t have normal and modern drum pad VSTi.
Yes... SD3 or RXP-player can help but not for all. RXP-player don`t have x64 version and this is old VSTi.

 
Yes, this is exactly my problem.  I watch all those cool YouTube videos with the EDM producers splitting/chopping beats and mapping them to a sampler, and it's hard not to be envious of the other DAW's ability to do this quickly and elegantly.  Adding Slicex to the arsenal has really helped a bit with this, but it's still from my idea.
 

 
Sonar Must transform Step Sequencer to the Next level! - Integrate new Sonar Drum Pad VSTi with Step Sequencer and make this functionality - Drug&Drop clip or samples in to the Step Sequnser! This clip automatically load in to Drum Pad VSTi.

 
Actually, I don't think this would be needed because Step Sequencer is already on each midi (and I assume instrument track).  I could live with being able to open a embedded sampler on an instrument track and drag and dropping samples either from a folder or from a loop construction view.
 
 

Start make it now! :)
 

 
If you would not mind, can you (and others who are frustrated by this omission) PLEASE fill out a feature request?
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/support/contact/featurerequest.aspx
 
I don't know if it will help, but at least we're trying to bring it to their attention.

Over time I have learned that each DAW always seems to have better capabilities in one area that the competition doesn't. With that in mind I've learned that it may be in my interest to learn the other tools where appropriate. Ableton has been mentioned in a couple of the above threads and while I don't use it for EDM I do like the Session View for trying out ideas. From there it is relatively easy to set Ableton up as a Rewire device in Slave mode and I then have the best of both worlds.
 
It is always going to be difficult for any software development company to provide "best in class" features across all of the disparate techniques that are currently employed in the creation of music.
 
Regards,

As much as  I want Sonar to have something like this, I have tried to look at the reality of whether it could be pulled off without making Sonar highly unstable for years to come.  Ableton was built from the ground up as a remixer/ dj tool so evolution in those areas is natural for the program without gutting the core.  The same can be said for FL studio.  Despite it's tremendous growth in other areas, the core FL studio base uses the basic structure and features that have been with it for most of its history. Sonar, Cubase, Pro Tools and other more mature DAWS has always had to work backwards to include or emulate staple elements of programs like these with mixed results.  Many of the plugins these programs include as shortcuts to make a certain style of music often end up going unused.  I know plenty of EDM producer types who use Cubase and Logic, but few use them the way the marketing ads say. A studio I go to regularly has a lot of hip-hop guys and is Logic based. The "trap beat" crowd uses FL studio and exports the tracks out to be mixed in Logic and other sub-genres use Maschine, MPC or even all in one keyboards like Motif.  The ones who do "compose" (for lack of better word) in Logic tend to create patterns in real time using keyboard controller and then cutting and pasting in piano role.  Most of the add-ons in these programs are geared towards engineers who also play music.
 
With that said, Sonar actually does some things better than one would think at first glance.  I would like an option to have a step sequencer like the one in FL, but there are things I have come to appreciate about the one in Sonar.  Ideally I would have both. I have project templates that emulate an FL workflow in some ways.  The one missing element of course is being able to just drop samples on a new track.  I may eventually break down and get geist since that pretty much would do exactly what I want

mmorgan
Ableton has been mentioned in a couple of the above threads and while I don't use it for EDM I do like the Session View for trying out ideas. 

Have you tried Matrix View in Sonar?

Anderton
 
Sonar does this now, if you can handle drag-and-drop instead of right click.

I need to create instrumental track, drag-and-drop files in to this VSTi and draw note in PRV? Oh... it is hard way... :)
Studio One 2.6 can do this automatically.