I think he's asking whether SONAR can trigger a MIDI-driven synth by live audio input, and the answer to that is no, not without some third-party plugin. Melodyne audio-MIDI conversion is an "offline" process that you apply to recorded audio to generate a MIDI clip.  Audiosnap can also do it (and generally with more accurate timing in my brief experience), but without pitch info - useful for drum replacement.

brundlefly,,Yes, that is what I was asking about.  I want to sing-trigger synths in real time.  I think Ableton can do this.

While Sonar does have the ability to extract tempo from an audio track, audio snap, and "grooves", and handles all those tasks with various degrees of stability and intuitive interaction, download the demo and take a good look at the aforementioned "Tempo View". This is the same tempo view that's been around since SONAR 2. For me, it's a little long in the tooth and a PIT-ever lovin'-A to edit. It's a pen tool rather than a node/spline automation system. As also mention, there is a history of VSTs not playing nicely with the "tempo view". It's a real weakness of Sonar--in the opinion of a small number of users I guess.

But while we're on the subject of pre-Buy questions, does anyone know if when one "upgrades" from X2 PRODUCER to X3 STUDIO there is any problem with the X2 versions of Cakewalk branded bundled VSTs? I specifically am wondering about the TS-64 Transient Shaper, but in the larger sense, as well. I suspect I'll be able to keep using the one I have because it would be a total d-move on Cake's part, and they've always been a decent bunch of dudes, corporately speaking.
 

puffer
But while we're on the subject of pre-Buy questions, does anyone know if when one "upgrades" from X2 PRODUCER to X3 STUDIO there is any problem with the X2 versions of Cakewalk branded bundled VSTs?

So far my experience has been if it showed up in X1 or X2, it will show up in X3. Just make sure you do a re-scan, that seems to solve any issues.

I've used the Transient Shaper a few times in X3, it works, and it's 64bit too.

Teal
brundlefly,,Yes, that is what I was asking about.  I want to sing-trigger synths in real time.  I think Ableton can do this.

I use Ableton Live and while it does a pretty good job of converting audio to MIDI, it doesn't do so in real time.  It is a three step process similar to that of SONAR's workflow.  In fact, there are a few YouTube posts that do a comparative review of how good each software package is (Melodyne vs Ableton) for accurately "translating" the conversions.  If I find the vids, I'll update my post here.  Until, certainly a search on YouTube should find what you're looking for.
 
Having said all that, I own and use every major DAW pretty regularly and always come back to SONAR as the most comprehensive and user-friendly, right now.  Cubase runs a close second, but lacks the niceties of the ProChannel and a few other benefits of SONAR.
 
My $0.02,
JG

puffer
...download the demo and take a good look at the aforementioned "Tempo View". This is the same tempo view that's been around since SONAR 2. For me, it's a little long in the tooth and a PIT-ever lovin'-A to edit. It's a pen tool rather than a node/spline automation system. As also mention, there is a history of VSTs not playing nicely with the "tempo view". It's a real weakness of Sonar--in the opinion of a small number of users I guess.

I find it easier to click where I want the tempo change, and go Project > Insert Tempo. You can specify tempo down to hundredths of a BPM, as well as the precise spot where the tempo should change. You can also specify if you want to change previous tempos or not.
 
If you then want to create an ultra-smooth tempo change, you can bounce over to tempo view and use the pencil.

puffer
While Sonar does have the ability to extract tempo from an audio track, audio snap, and "grooves", and handles all those tasks with various degrees of stability and intuitive interaction, download the demo and take a good look at the aforementioned "Tempo View". This is the same tempo view that's been around since SONAR 2. For me, it's a little long in the tooth and a PIT-ever lovin'-A to edit. It's a pen tool rather than a node/spline automation system. As also mention, there is a history of VSTs not playing nicely with the "tempo view". It's a real weakness of Sonar--in the opinion of a small number of users I guess.

I will absolutely check out the demo. The ability to map a project to an acoustically recorded track is important to me.  The melodyne integration is sexy - an upgrade to Studio would pay for itself for that feature alone.

Anderton

puffer
...download the demo and take a good look at the aforementioned "Tempo View". This is the same tempo view that's been around since SONAR 2. For me, it's a little long in the tooth and a PIT-ever lovin'-A to edit. It's a pen tool rather than a node/spline automation system. As also mention, there is a history of VSTs not playing nicely with the "tempo view". It's a real weakness of Sonar--in the opinion of a small number of users I guess.

I find it easier to click where I want the tempo change, and go Project > Insert Tempo. You can specify tempo down to hundredths of a BPM, as well as the precise spot where the tempo should change. You can also specify if you want to change previous tempos or not.
 
If you then want to create an ultra-smooth tempo change, you can bounce over to tempo view and use the pencil.

Do you have to put in each tempo change manually?  Samplitude has a remix agent that can analyze audio composition and insert markers for each bar/beat.  It automatically calculates the tempo changes so all you have to do is run the agent, listen and nudge some of he markers for accuracy and you are done.