Just installed X2a Producer yesterday (I'm a long time Sonar user and had been reluctant to give up my Sonar Producer 8.3!) . Haven't had time to get into it really deep yet but, so far.......
 
First off, In the past, I have always bought Sonar as physical media (CD's / DVD's), this is the first time I've been forced to download the program and it was a nightmare!! After 3 days of aborted attemps, corrupted files, etc. I FINALLY got it all downloaded! Anyway...... 
 
I'm really happy with X2a's performance!!! No issues, whatsoever, on my system, so far.
 
So far, really like most of the new plugins, especially ProChannel.
 
Wish I could fit all the stuff in the control bar that I'd like to have available all the time. No second row like in 8.3?
 
Not real keen on some of the colors of things. Did a little color editing but, it doesn't seem to be quite as flexible as Sonar 8 was. Some things just don't seem to be able to have their color changed. Ahhhh, I guess I can learn to live with that.
 
Really miss having the standard little "curved arrow" things for "undo / redo". Yeah, I know.... keyboard shortcuts but, I'm coming from years of being accustomed to using the little "undo / redo" buttons.
 
Really, really miss having "Fit project to window" button readily available! This is gonna slow things down for the way I work. Maybe it's there somewhere and I just haven't found it yet. Hopefully.
 
Anyway, overall, so far, I'm very happy with X2a. We'll see how it goes as I have time to get further into it.
If some of these things are there and I just haven't found them yet, please, let me know. Otherwise, I'll keep digging! Ha ha!
 
Thanks!

this page may be helpful
Cakewalk - Documentation & Help - SONAR X2 - Views
 
i'm just getting started with sonar x2 myself 

im glad your having fun.
I think you will benefit quite a bit from learning some of the keystroke shortcuts.
all the things you mentioned can now be done using shortcuts.
in my opinion shortcuts over the past few years have becoming the future, not just sonar either.
print out a few of your favorites and keep them handy, before you know it you wont need to reference the paper anymore.
example: CONTR + S will save your project.
im sure your wondering where your save icon is ?

there is a third party add on that will give you some of these features back like they were in 8.
but I suggest learning some of the shortcuts to start out with.
also be it known adding on any 3rd party appz will void you from receiving tech support.
there is another add on for different colors as well, the developer of that is a forum member and very talented.

did you down load using Internet explorer ?
I use firefox for downloading large software.
IE tends to lose a conection then it corrupts your download, firefox will pause and/or restart.

best of luck

Weren't there some keyboard stickers available at some time in the past for the shortcuts ?

Can they still be had somewhere ?

I'm not a fan of shortcuts myself, apart from cut/copy/paste.

(EDIT) Found some : here

I have to agree with chuckebaby. I was a tool bar person myself until SONAR and Adobe Audition started eliminating them, I now find I actually work faster with key strokes in both programs.

many people here on the forum complained about those stickers when they first came out for x1, they dont stay on long and then slide off leaving your keyboard with a thin layer of glue residue,making your fingers sticky and basically destroying your keyboard.

you get what you pay for @ $6.49.

you may find the links here helpful especially the cake tv live 1-4 youtube ones as the demonstrate sonar workflow while building a song along with features

sonar Xn getting started | Pghboemike's Blog

Thanks everybody!
chuckebaby - yes, Internet Explorer

Paul P


Weren't there some keyboard stickers available at some time in the past for the shortcuts ?

Can they still be had somewhere ?

I'm not a fan of shortcuts myself, apart from cut/copy/paste.

(EDIT) Found some : here

that's why these are being sold  http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/cakewalk-sonar-x2-2967p.html

swamptooth

Paul P


Weren't there some keyboard stickers available at some time in the past for the shortcuts ?

Can they still be had somewhere ?

I'm not a fan of shortcuts myself, apart from cut/copy/paste.

(EDIT) Found some : here

that's why these are being sold  http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/cakewalk-sonar-x2-2967p.html

this is more like it.
although the price is a little steep, I've seen them lower during certain sales the site promotes.