dawwars


I have recently just moved over from Cubase to Sonar X1 Producer. I am currently working with orchestra libraries and am trying to figure out how I can create smooth curves within my CC data ie Mod Wheel for my dynamics. In Cubase you were able to draw steep curves and smooth transitions by just drawing in the lines with a parabola tool- it seems I have ignorantly assumed that this would be the case in most DAW's. I do use my mod wheel but it often needs a little tweaking. Does anyone have any answers to this problem? I'm really struggling to have any real control over this data.

Cheers.

 
From what I can tell the PRV data entry is just not as flexible as other DAWs. However if you set up a Track envelope to control the CC data it is far more flexible than the PRV. Right click in a track and select Envelopes>Create Track Envelope. If the specific data you want to edit doesn't appear in the Value dropdown menu, highlight the Value field and type in any controller number you want, OK and an envelope will appear.
 
You can enter nodes (points) along the envelope and move them where you want. Then right-click right along the line between the two nodes and select how you want the nodes to connect as in linear, fast curve, slow curve etc. There is also a Draw tool with different shapes as newbie_hobbyist mentions that will draw sine, wave, triangle square shapes etc. The snap -does- work with the shapes which is actually very cool for perfectly setting techno cutoff sweeps and what have you. However you have to be carefull to adjust the Snap to get the right results. Sadly this creates problematic results as I often have a sweep modulate over several measures but with Snap on the maximum lenghth a shape can be is one measure. That sucks. Slightly more time consuming than what I'm used to (maybe quicker once I adapt, we'll see) but very precise, one measure shape limitation not considered.
 
I'm used to drawing data in the controller pane of the PRV as you may be. In the PRV, if you hold the Control key as you draw CC data (like Mod), instead of a single data entry you can draw freehand. Each data entry will have a little "handle" at the top. It's quite easy to draw a curve and then touch it up by dragging a handle or two but for ultimate precision the track env works better. I do have to get around to plugging in my joystick and seeing how well it functions as a controller for entering data.

Some additional reading on this topic!  
 
Helpful video on drawing waveforms (X2+) & the different tools available here:
http://blog.cakewalk.com/sonar-quick-tip-draw-plug-in-automation-with-sonar-x2s-pattern-tools/
 
Closely related thread with additional ideas & tools over here:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/midi-cc-generators-that-work-in-Sonar-X-m3061239.aspx
 
Depending on the need, CAL sometimes helps:  
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11665.msg84651#msg84651
 
The CAL Curmudgeon

The OP has not mentioned if he is working in PianoRoll View (PRV) or track view. I can only offer suggestions for the PRV ‘cos that’s how I work.
 
As I went straight from 8.5 to X3 I cannot vouch for the X1 tools, but if the tools are the same then Newbie-Hobbyist’s answer is the correct one.
 
In case you are still a bit lost, here’s some more detail:
 
There are two modes for entering CCs in the Piano Roll View. One is with the Controller pane showing and the other is with it hidden. (Shift + C is the shortcut for Show/Hide Controller Pane) I prefer hiding the Controller Pane and drawing CCs on the big screen amidst the notes as follows:
 
Click the Notes/Velocity tab at top left of PRV and click “New Value Type”; choose a CC value from the list e.g. “1 Modulation”. Left click the smart tool in the PRV window to enter individual commands or click and drag to draw. Like Newbie Hobbyist said, you get more detail if the Snap feature is off.
 
(The shortcut for Snap on/off is N)
 
If you prefer to work with the Controller Pane open: You should see the default name “Velocity” at the left of the pane strip with a down arrow next to it. Click on the down arrow, then click “New Value Type” and follow the previous instructions.