tunekicker


I would like a simpler export, too. Something that defaults to exporting all non-muted tracks from where the first clip begins to where the last one ends, with a few seconds' buffer at the end for reverb tails after the recorded clips fade out. (Unless a specific range was selected, then it should export the range by default.) It should also default to stereo output from the mains (which it does now), but with a button for "More Options", perhaps with a checkbox to "show this all the time." That way the rest of the options for "Tracks, Busses, etc" could be hidden for beginners. This would be virtually the same for advanced users once they choose to show the advanced options and show them every time.

This would be an improvement on the current functionality for sure.

+1 to this.
 
It would juist streamline the current dialog box, making it less cluttered, but also retaining the advanced options.

tunekicker


Good to know about Studio One. Their implementation of the ARA standard is also of interest to me since I use Melodyne. Would be great to have that in Sonar.

You mentioned buss routing so one more detail in Sonar. You can Create/Edit/Remove sends for all selected tracks by holding CTRL when you do it. You can also modify the outputs of all selected tracks together by holding CTRL while you do it. This should get you a bit closer to what you're used to.

Peace,

Tunes

I have used Melodyne by way of ARA in S1 and I can say that it is pretty tightly integrated into the workflow. I did find it resource intensive, but then I don't have the highest caliber rig either. All in all, quite elegant.

tunekicker


Perhaps an option then? 

Assuming a default of exporting everything from the main output:

1. Export sound from all unmuted tracks (default)
2. Export sound only from the tracks I have selected (with the ability to select/de-select them from the export interface)

Having this option would make it so track solo states could be ignored in the export. I can't think of a reason to export audio from only solo'd tracks that exporting only selected tracks couldn't handle.

Those options sound reasonable to me.
 
In Studio One, there are two export options from the top menu. One is 'Export mixdown' and the other is 'Export stems'. Both export dialogs contain additional options to customise it. You can export all audio between the loop markers, including any tails, or you can export only the audio between markers you've placed on the timeline. It is all very sensibly laid out and easy to understand without reading a manual.
All software can be improved, but that represents well thought out design.

tunekicker

Personally I think if no time range is selected Sonar should export from the beginning of sound to the end of sound for all un-muted tracks, with no accidentally missed fades at beginning or end, and no accidental reverb tails from the last instance of playback bleeding into the beginning of the export. If a time range is selected then Sonar should export all un-muted tracks for that time range. Then again, I haven't actually exported from X2 yet, so I could be missing some improvements there.

I just wanted to agree with what Tunekicker stated here.  I don't remember ever having trouble exporting in any version of Sonar from 7 up to X2.  I always use the Source Category "Entire Mix" in Bounce Settings and don't select any tracks or range of measures.  This gives me the entire piece.  After reading this thread, I just tried selecting a range of all tracks, tried muting tracks, tried selection of track within a range--all with "Entire Mix" and they all appear to have worked as they should, so the CTRL-A method to get the entire track should not be necessary.
 

I'm another user that does not select track or measures when exporting and I've never had any problems.

One thing I would say though, is that it is possible to crop an effects tail or a synth tail and to get over that issue I may stretch a clip or add a MIDI event at some point after I know will capture the effect/synth tail.

Been doing it this way for years now :-)

Just tried exporting mixdown again using Source: Entire Mix and not selecting clips or timeline. It worked without issue. I am sure that I tried this initially and had a problem, but clearly it works as expected.

*phew* !

As I don't mix in Sonar (I mix at the local studio with the help of an engineer on PT)I very often have to export stems.

I find the current process fastidious as I have to do each track one by one.

I would like to see and "export stems" feature adn very importatnly be able to specify for each track if it exports in mono or stereo.

That really would be helpful.

This way, I could set everything up and thenlet sonar bounce each track as specified.

You can do per track exports in any version of SONAR. Just set the source category to tracks and export and you will get stem exports of every track all done in one pass.
I do this all the time when I edit live mixes. You can also export buses as stems with source category set to buses.

While I agree that the export dialog could do with some streamlining and we will at some point, SONAR has some of the most comprehensive choices available for export especially with the fact that you can export arbitrary selections.
To simplify the choices spend a few minutes and create your own export presets and you won't have to think of this stuff anymore. 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk
]

You can do per track exports in any version of SONAR. Just set the source category to tracks and export and you will get stem exports of every track all done in one pass.
I do this all the time when I edit live mixes. You can also export buses as stems with source category set to buses.

While I agree that the export dialog could do with some streamlining and we will at some point, SONAR has some of the most comprehensive choices available for export especially with the fact that you can export arbitrary selections.
To simplify the choices spend a few minutes and create your own export presets and you won't have to think of this stuff anymore. 

I absolutely agree that it is comprehensive, and that many users will find the options useful, but it could also be streamlined without losing any of its current functionality. Clearly, Cakewalk have opted for a complete overhaul of the way Sonar looks, and while the workflow and functionality is fast catching up with that aesthetic with the release of X2, small areas, such as the export dialog, need an overhaul as well. I don't like to compare programs, but there are others with comprehensive export options that present it in a far more intuitive way. It would not hurt Cakewalk to look at what is being done elsewhere and perhaps take some inspiration.
 
Noel, I think the fact that one of the experienced users above was unaware of the stem rendering options and you had to inform him, could be a reasonable enough sign that the current export dialog could do with some tweaking :)
 
This is an increasingly competitive market and it only takes one competitor to implement something exceptional to cause other companies to lose a little ground.
 
I also understand that Cakewalk have a long and proud history in the market and also have a lot of legacy features and code, not to  mention pro users. Overhauling something like Sonar takes time and I think the X series is heading in the right direction.

 Thanks Noel,

I'm sorry I had not realised that. I will try it this weekend.

I usually do select "tracks" when I bounce stems, I just did not realise I could select them all and they would all be done.

I guess the reason why I never thought of it, is because when I do select "tracks", I still have to specify if I wand the bounce in mono or in stereo.

If I bounce all my tracks at once, I presume they will all be stereo files, and I wouldn't be able to specify mono for my kick,snare, bass etc. that I want to rkeep as mono source?

In any case, I will try over the weekend. I guess the trick would be to bouce the mono ones first and then all the stereo ones. That's still much better than what I am doing now.

Thanks for the feedback,