panup's most & least used SONAR features

panup is using a lot

• TV for mixing
• audio multitrack recording
• split and nudge during playback
• RME UFX and FF800
• External Insert
• audio metronome
• Melodyne region fx
• Tools | External audio editor (Audition)
• Volume automation
• File | Export Audio | RAW tracks
• Track Templates
• Track Folders
• Snap to/by
• PDC (custom keyboard shortcut Num Key Minus)
• My special favorite keyboard shortcuts F7 and F8 to move now time to start / end of the selection.
• My second secret weapon: keyboard shortcuts 1 and 2 to move to previous / next marker.
• Weapon 3: keys F5 and F6 to toggle audio metronome (playback / recording)
• Shift-F - fit to screen
• FX bin
• Crossfade on/off (keyboard shortcut X)
• Aim Assistant
• Self-made color schemes
• Self-made UI graphics

 
Using on regular basis:

• ProChannel (almost always set to pre FX bin to keep workflow consistent)
• Automation lanes when using anything else than output volumeSysx view
• Groups, grouping
• Sysx view (to send patches to rack synths)

• Console view
• Piano Roll
• Step record (to play parts that are too difficult for realtime recording)
• Project/info (to store song lyrics, chords, etc.)
• Save as... (Alt-F - A)
• Inspector (floating on the 2nd display)
• Apply Effect | Quantize MIDI
• Apply Effect | Gain (my keyboard shortcut Ctrl-G)
• Control Bar: Tools, Transport, Mix, Event Inspector (40% empty space for my own buttons)
• Markers
• Tempo changes
• Track Manager: I keep only archived tracks hidden.
• Console View | Widen / Narrow strips

 
Uses sometimes:

• Step sequencer (I bounce to clip asap to avoid problems.)
• VocalSync
• Aux tracks, Patch points (they'll become part of the workflow slower than I though)
• Set Measure/Beat time at now
• Different track automation write modes
• ProChannel Console Emulators
• CAL scripts (embedded in Duckbar's KVAK scripts)
• Different Pan Laws (I would use all the time if it was in easier location.)
• Browser (floating on the 2nd display)

He does not use:

• Exclusive solo, Dim solo
• Envelope offset mode
• Punch mode (manual punch in/out is better)
• Loop record (too many bad experiences)
• Take lanes as designed (got used to the old system and still struggling with the renovation)
• Track control manager (Always 'All')
• Mix Recall (but I love the concept and I will definitely start using this.)
• ACT (tried long time ago but there were always issues)
• Inline PRV (big PRV on the 2nd display is better
• Groove Loops (I rarely use loops)
• Loop editor
• ReWire (I use FL Studio as VSTi instead)
• Virtual Keyboard (got real one)
• Drum Maps
• Playlists
• Lyrics
• Video
• Screensets
• Add Track (keyboard shortcuts and track templates do the job)
• AudioSnap (too complicated - manual editing is faster and more reliable)
• Drum Replacer (I use Melodyne to convert audio to MIDI)
• MultiDock (dual screen - no need and I often keep MultiDock bar hidden)
• Full Screen (except when doing mobile recordings on my old laptop)
• Start screen (when creating or openingn projects I have no time to read the news feed)
• Staff view
• Matrix view (no need)
• Edit/history (I would use if there were more details and timestamps)
• Save Copy (not used - I would if I wasn't typing Alt-S A automatically)
• Utilities: Consolidate Audio, Clean audio folder, Change audio format, Share with SoundCloud
• Burn Audio CD (too limited - no ISRC codes etc.)
• File | Print, Print preview, Print setup
• Import Audio CD (I use CDEx instead to convert CD to WAV or MP3)
• Import Video (I do all video related works in other apps)
• File | Revert (I would never remeber where I would revert to.)
• Help, documentation (does somebody really read manuals?)
• Project | Audio files (needs total redesign)
• Project | Info | Stats (buried too far away and the font is too small and there's no fancy graphics and.. and...)
• Touch screen
• Absolute timebase

 
Most used Cakewalk plug-ins:

• Sonitus:Gate
• Sonitus:Compressor
• Sonitus:Modulator
• PC76
• PC S-Type Compressor
• QuadEQ
• Percussion Strip (Shaper module to tweak live snare drum)
• Channel Tools

 
I'm using only a small fraction of the feature set.
Discount, please.
 
EDIT: minor corrections.
EDIT2: Last sentence changed and topic renamed.
EDIT3: updated list.
 

OMG... you've just made public all the information NSA has ever wanted, not to mention the identity thieves and competing DAW manufacturers... DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE???
 
from this point on you are nothing more than:

• A human doing amazing things with Sonar
• A tool of corporate brainwashers... you've given them EVERYTHING to control you better
• A willing accomplice to those who'd destroy our FREEEEEEDUMB!!!

Please, panup... DON'T continue revealing such stuff... you'll destroy everything we still have left... And just THINK how much the evil bakers can make selling this precious data to... um... competing daw designers, maybe??? 
 
And you EXPECT a discount for NOT using MORE???
 

 
 
 
OMG! This just made me realize how foolish I've been to post all the info in my sig... I've been tricked by fellow forum members, obviously working surreptitiously for "The Man" to get me to reveal this information... arrrrrrrrrggggg!@!!!!!@!@

Vastman
Sometimes laughing at absurdity feels good... we all have a bit of absurdity within us and it is a wise human who gets in touch with their own... most just take offense and never grow...

 
You take hateful pot shots at people you disagree with to "feel good"? That's not healthy.
 
It also does absolutely NOTHING to help Cake, this forum or anything you claim to be so concerned about.
 
Much of it could also be construed as being in direct violation of the TOS.
 
Don't talk to me about "growth" and "wisdom".
 
Edit: And I see you've edited your post to soften it a little. Good.
 
PS: Don't ever call me out like I'm some kind of troll scumbag again. You bloody well know I'm not.

my my... really?  listen beep... I've read posts where you've given great information to people trying to understand things...I respect you for your insights and willingness to take the time to share with others, like the thread on take lanes I looked at just yesterday...  
 
However, the premature rants on analytics by some were pretty ludicrous... at least in my opinion.  I said how stupid I thought it was... and panup's post helped me see it's better to just laugh about this and here you are again getting all up in a snot. FWIW, I've never gone back to the thread as I realize how ridiculous and unhealthy it is to participate in a bunch of blather...
 
Oh, and I will speak of growth and wisdom... and I DO edit my posts...for every moment is an opportunity for growth and wisdom... I'm not here to take offense... it accomplishes nothing...I reflect and modify where it seems appropriate.  While I try and stay clear of senseless bashing I will continue to call out what I consider disrespectful and premature comments on information the bakers are sharing.  "Construe" all you want.  It's obviously easier than taking to heart what's being said.  BTW, I don't consider you "some kind of troll scumbag"... those are your words...and to think I've sorted you out to pick on??? Really? Hubris...my 15 year old does that a lot!
 
I made ONE post saying I thought the anti analytics stuff was premature and reflects the absurdity rampant in today's society...I laughed at how you kept saying you had things to do and had to go and then kept posting premature stuff, quoting others premature concerns... and since then you've gone ballistic... calling me a fanboi...that I'm horrible, I've got it in for you, violating the TOS, claiming that I'm just a fanboy that I always support cakewalk and blah blah blah, all untrue...you're like a little child with an overly sensitive or insecure ego...grow up!   At this point I'm going to waste no more of my time responding or reading anything you have to say...as...
 
I just realized we have a block feature!  First time for everything!  Goodbye... time is too precious...and I dislike blather...
 
 
On a lighter front: 
The Maartain... great set of words... have written lots about the insanity of the world...and the boxes we all get into.  It's a challenge every day to sort reality from fiction...all the bits, the twists and turns...and to chose how to focus within the sea of the absurd and beautiful aspects of all that is!
 
Music and poetry is a fantastic coping mechanism... 

Actually panup...that was helpful. I have several track templates for multiband processing but haven't finished them for release because I didn't know if anyone would care. But if lots of people use track templates...hmmm...I should accelerate finishing them instead of the "50 Shades of Gain" (tm Mats Nermark) high-gain CA-X amplifier.
 
Also, you said you don't use Exclusive solo, Dim solo, and Envelope offset mode. I use those features all the time, like almost every session. So if others don't use it, maybe I should to a Tip of the Week on why I find them useful.
 
I wonder if I can get Cakewalk to share the results of the anonymous analytics with me...this could be very helpful when I'm sitting around on a Friday afternoon wondering what kind of tip of the week would be most helpful for people...

Craig,
Yesterday I recorded cover version of Long and winding road by the Beatles. I use Space and Depth Style Dials in the guitar track to give ...eh... depth and space. :) It wasn't authentic Abbey Road approach, though...
 
 

(spoof warning)
I think Noel feels that if you are using just a portion of Sonar, you are being wasteful and should have to pay a penalty to encourage better practices...it's like being late on your tax bill...
 
I have to admit I'm not very smart... every time I learn something new on this forum I realize how much time I'VE wasted...Recognizing that I need motivation, I recently got a bill from Cakewalk noting that, "from our analytics, you are being charged an extra $200 to encourage you to do a better job."  Fortunately, I was able to convince them I am diligently saving for a brain transplant  and couldn't pay at the moment ; I promised I will learn how to make better use of their program and they've given me a reprieve...until the next analytics evaluation period... whew! 
 
Back to Bernie TYT coverage!   I'm stoked...
 

Vastman
 I just got a bill from Cakewalk noting that, "from our analytics, you are being charged an extra $200 to encourage you to do a better job."

panup
He does not use:

• Mix Recall (but I love the concept and I will definitely start using this.)

Discount, please.

 
Bad boy, we'll remove mix recall from your custom version :)
Seriously that is a nice list - and a good example of how we can get a better idea of the different kinds of users we have. Its a huge program and most people use (different) subsets of features.

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

Snehankur

panup
Analysis summary: panup is using only a small fraction of the feature set.
Send him 85% discount coupon code.

What is the maximum amount of discount Andrew or Noel confirmed?
Will that be applicable for the paid amount or will applicable only future payable?
 
Regards
Snehankur
 

Don't worry, we are only charging you for like 10% of the power anyway :)
 
Seriously though, think about how expensive it used to be to record and how much analog gear cost. $149 for an upgrade is sorta a bargain.

... calculating... trying to convince myself for not being convinced.

Actually my list is extremely similar to Panups... 
 
But unlike Craig, I only paid about $1200 for my A3340S...oops...using the Google inflation translator...that is $5468.78 in 2016  --   (I won't tell you what I paid for my Tascam38 new...not to mention the [4]DBX150 units)
[used] Tapco mixers where cheap back then...same with Peavey.  

ooops! I made my last post before seeing the thread about analytics.  But don't despair guys, it's not like it's something really serious like a subscription model or something.

Oh yes Vastman, we're on the same page. Both of my posts were tongue in cheek.