This is probably a silly question, but I'm having a hard time finding an answer because the signal-to-noise ratio is so low. I'm searching for terms like: save, file, project. The search engine is not being kind to me in the results. ;)

Anyway, I've got a Roland A-500PRO, and it's working great. ACT works, I can use the control strip above the keys to do things like play/pause, rewind, stop, etc. But something obvious is missing. How do I SAVE MY SONAR PROJECT after a good take?

I know I can setup the 8 pads on the right as control buttons and can assign File-Save to one of those. But I'd rather not change those unless I have to, since I'd like to use them as Notes rather than buttons sometimes.

What I'm wondering is why it's not setup already. Isn't File-Save the MOST important thing you can do from a control surface, right after you record a take? I'm thinking there must be some keypress combination on the A-PRO that saves the project in Sonar. Or something else that's so obvious that they don't even mention it.

How do you A-PRO users out there save your Sonar projects while sitting at the control surface? I'm trying to give up using the mouse while at the MIDI controller. Is it possible?

Maybe assign File-Save to one of L1-L8 buttons? In my case, I just press Ctrl+S since I have a keyboard shelf that pulls out from under the A-Pro .

I think the whole idea of a control surface that you can control the program without needing a keyboard and mouse, so I'm trying not to use those. I can re-program a touchpad, but I was hoping there was something more basic, and sort of front-and-center, for such a vital command. I would have thought it would be already programmed to be honest.

Waltenstein Studios


I think the whole idea of a control surface that you can control the program without needing a keyboard and mouse, so I'm trying not to use those.  

I don't know if this is true. I think a control surface is mainly to control faders, knobs etc. on the virtual console (in a daw) as if you are operating a real mixer. The knobs on the A-PRO (R1-R9) represent knobs on a console (pan, EQ, etc.), rack effects/dynamics processors (comp, reverb, etc.), hardware synths, and so on, and the sliders (S1-S9) represent faders on the console, and the buttons (L1-L9) represent buttons on a tape deck, and the pads (A1-A8) represent....maybe electric drums? And if you think about it, there's no 'Save' button in a real studio (I mean studios in the old days when they didn't use daws), so that't why I think the File>Save menu is available as just one of options that you can assign to buttons or pads.


Maybe the Auto-Save feature in Sonar can help you? If you use that, you won't have to do anything. The project saves itself.


Sorry if my explanation wasn't good enough. I did my best.  

Thanks for your replies Jlien X.

There's no real reason why the control surface can't/shouldn't be used to save the project. And that's the only thing missing from the default button assignments, if you think about it. I'm just surprised it's missing at all. ;)

Once I assign File-Save to a button on my A-500PRO, I don't need the mouse or computer keyboard at all, except to add or modify instruments, or to do mixing/mastering.

In fact, even basic mixing can be done quite well using the surface's sliders and buttons. Of course you'd still need the computer keyboard/mouse to do more hardcore editing or adding FX.

Thanks. Well, File-Save may be important, but in my case, I was more surprised (or 'disappointed' to be more precise) that A-Pro has these limitations/inconveniences...
http://forum.cakewalk.com...px?m=2790490&high=

why not just use the keyboard command CNTR+S

Because that would require an additional piece of hardware I have to keep within arms reach during a take. I want to sit by my midi controller, while my computer keyboard is elsewhere.