bmdaustin


A real easy way to accomplish the OP's task is to (in Track View) Cntrl+A (select all) and then quantize to the appropriate value for the score and set the quantize value to somewhere between 90-95% (depending on tempo) and click on Audition. This will randomize the note-on events (aka attacks) in a very user-controllable fashion and can easily be undone and redone.

Yes and no, unless X1's quantize feature is different than all other versions of Sonar. If the OP is entering the notes into Finale with a mouse as opposed to playing them via a MIDI controller/keyboard then they are already 100% quantized. Moving the notes 90% closer to the beat will have no effect - the notes are already on beats or fractions of beats (eighths, sixteenths etc.). If you apply a CAL like Randomize or Humanize and the results are a little too extreme/erratic, or if a MIDI part has been performed and recorded in realtime so it is not already quantized then quantizing a percentage closer to the beat as opposed to a full quantize would be useful.  
Don't forget, the OP's problem is that the timing of the notes is already too perfect (quantized) as referenced in post #15. Quantizing 90% closer will not "de-quantize" the notes as the OP would like to do.

 Well-said, SToons. Thank you. That is exactly what I want to do. Actually, I will experiment with staggering various phrases in various staves (tracks), and offsetting entire staves through a work. CAL routines sounds even better--that sounds as if it would be closer to what humans do. All this experimentation starts Tuesday, when I receive Sonar. I'll be eagerly waiting at the door for UPS. Reminds me of "Wells Fargo Wagon" from The Music Man.

What I do for start times in PRV is selecting per instument or range using drag-highlight-select ( left on piano keyboard or note name value with your mouse) or selection using the lasso feature. Then I can slide those notes, instruments or ranges a few ticks + or - & all different values from each other.  

You can change by manually dragging or by entering the tick value amounts using menu / process / slide.

Using ranges works well for orchestration or scores by section i.e.-
WW-slide +6
Strings+12
Brass + 16
Perc slide +20

or selecting SATB ranges etc..

 Thank you, Carl. I don't have this in front of me yet, but the +6, +12, +16, and +20 you suggest are what meaasurement?

Ticks (PPQN) (Pulses Per Quarter Note)

Ticks (PPQN) (Pulses Per Quarter Note)... OK, Bristol_Jonesey, thanks!

  Maybe it's changed since 8.5 but I've been doing that for years with success. Try it and see how it turns out for you.