After using Guitar Tracks for years, I decided to make the jump to another program to take advantage of midi instruments.  The current GT program was also not an option because of the 2 track input limitation.

So I decided to do an evaluation of Sonar X1.  The only version available for trial is X1 Producer.  I had intended to get essential, but I think possibly the Prochannel and other enhancements may have me hooked on Producer. They sound flat-out great!

A few of the things that I miss from my simple, audio only Guitar Tracks, are:

1. The help file with index.  Is it in Sonar?  So far everything that I have found is in a tutorial format.

2. Being able to view the entire mixer channels vertically.  They don't seem to fit on my monitor in the mixer view.

3. Where are the markers, for jumping around the project?  I have been looking for them, but there is no index.

Also:  How can I get my Frontier Tranzport to work with this program?  Sonar recognizes it in the preferences, but so far it plays midi instruments instead of controlling transport functions.

I realize many of these things will be very basic to you guys, but I have never used a program this sophisticated before.  Thanks for any guidance that you can give me.  I am playing around in this program and discovering new things daily.

Overall, I think it's a wonderful program. It seems to run efficiently without breaking a sweat.  It sounds great.  I am looking forward to making this my DAW of choice, but I sure need to learn a few things.

Thanks,
Tom 

1. Check the Contents tab in Help-What's New
2. Try Shift-D

3. Type "M" to place a marker at the current now time.
 

Go to Help | Getting Started and you can browse the index or search

Regarding the Tranzport, you should make sure it is checked as an controller in preferences. As I recall, when you first install it, Sonar sees it as a midi device, but you have to do some clicking in the Controllers section (Preferences (press "P")-->Midi-->Controllers, I think) to make sure Sonar knows it's a controller, not an instrument.

now that frontier has killed their best products I can't have fun with a wirless device like I had wanted to do. Except for maybe the new m audio wireless midi units. I imagine a korg micro controller taped to my guitar with a wireless midi unit and a wireless for my guitar. What would be cool is if the controllers could mount on my guitar and some how all the electronic guts get moved inside the guitar and it be like totally flush on the body of the guitar with just the pads and buttons sticking up out of the guitar. I like that controller the best because it has an xy pad but I could see doing the same thing with the micro keyboard as well.

stevec


3. Type "M" to place a marker at the current now time.
 

And to view all of your existing markers, you can either use the Control Bar Module, or hit Alt + Shift + 4

As well as the usual online help (by pressing F1 in the program) X1 also comes with an excellent Reference Guide. This guide covers the same subjects as the online help but I find it easier to browse, like a normal book, and it is in PDF format, so you can still search for certain words if you need to.

It is available here:-

http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013228

even if you do not own the software.

Be warned, it is 1850 pages long...

omtayslick,When I wrote earlier about using online help, I was just trying to answer your question about the help files.  I did not mean for that to sound like we would not also help you as best we can.  When I reread my post, I realized it sounded blunt, but that was not my intention.  Sorry.

I do not have as much expertise as some, but will help as much as possible.  99.99% of the people on this forum are fantastic people and you should get lots of support.

Thanks much for all the helpful replies.  You guys are a responsive bunch. :)