Hello Everyone--
 
I went from Sonar 8.3 to X2 and am having an issue with the Smart Tool in PR view. I liked the old way of manually selecting the tool when it comes to MIDI editing. If I want to move, add, delete or audition a MIDI note I just choose the tool. Now, I don't know how to audition a note without having the follow the grid back to the corresponding piano key and press that.
 
I've got all of the X2 keyboard shortcuts laminated and next to the DAW, but I can't see if there is a way to manually select an edit tool in PR? I also don't know how to look at the properties of an individual MIDI note, nor how to audition it.
 
Is there a way to manually select an edit tool in PR? Also, how do I see the properties of an individual MIDI note?
 
I always appreciate the help I get here!

There are other edit tools in the same place as the smart tool... select, move, draw and erase. I think there are also keyboard shortcuts for each tool but I can't remember what they are.
 
I can audition a note in the PRV just by clicking on it. I click it, I hear it. If you click and drag the note up or down it will also audition each note. You can see a note's properties by double clicking it.
 
IMO, your best bet is to learn how to get the best use out of the Smart Tool. It isn't as in intuitive as I'd like, but once you get used to it it's pretty handy. I rarely use any of the other tools anymore.

You mean you want to be able to click on tool buttons to select your tools? You can open the floating HUD by pressing T on your keyboard or clicking your middle mouse button. The HUD pops up and you can select what you want like you would in the Tools module of the Control bar. If you want the keybindings for all the available tools I can post them but it sounds like you already have them printed out. Cheers.

Oh and I find in PRV that the Smart tool isn't exactly my favorite input method because it relies on keybindings and/or right clicks/double clicks for repetitive tasks. It's been a while but I think I usually use the draw tool because I can just left click and my note appears without having to do some voodoo rain dance.
 

Beepster
Oh and I find in PRV that the Smart tool isn't exactly my favorite input method because it relies on keybindings and/or right clicks/double clicks for repetitive tasks. It's been a while but I think I usually use the draw tool because I can just left click and my note appears without having to do some voodoo rain dance.
 

One problem I have with the draw tool is that if I click on a wrong note I have to delete it or switch to another tool to change it. With the smart tool I can just move it up or down until I have the note I want. I guess I haven't had any of the problems you've had with the smart tool because to me it seems very simple to use.

@Chappel... Well I also keep my left hand on the keyboard so if I need another tool momentarily I can just hit the keybinding. Actually I find keeping the Draw Tool and the Smart Tool or the Move Tool set to toggle back and forth I can work pretty efficiently. It has been a while though. I have this method written down somewhere I think from when I was programming drum beats in the PRV. Without the right workflow that shiz can end up taking WAY longer than it needs to. Cheers.

In X2 you have to double click the PRV note to get its properties. Right clicking (with the Smart Tool) will erase it.
 
I still makes that mistakes, now an' then.
 
You can click the note to hear it. You can also hold the "J" key while dragging the mouse over the notes. This is how the "new" scrub tool works.
 
Also, if you haven't already... download the huge Help file for X2: http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013290.
 
Or the Online Help: http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation/Default.aspx?Doc=SONAR%20X2&Lang=EN which I keep on my browser's Favorites Bar.

Thanks all. This is exactly what I need. I find the smart tool is awesome for audio clips, but it doesn't do what I want it to do in PRV. Now that you told me about T, middle mouse button, double-clicking and J, I'm all set--