SONAR X1 Explained

Presented by DAW master Eli Krantzberg, this collection is the best way to get started with Cakewalk SONAR X1. If you're overwhelmed with SONAR X1's features and functions, this series was made for you. Learn SONAR X1 right the first time, or discover new things about it you never knew.

Getting Started

• Start Me Up (06:10) - See how to scan and set up your audio and MIDI hardware when launching Sonar X1 for the first time.

• Creating A Project (06:51) - Learn how to use the Quick Start dialogue box to either create and save a new project or open an existing one, and learn about the different Sonar file types.

• Skylight (06:50) - Explore the main components of Skylight, Sonar X1's new customizable workspace interface.

• Browser Overview (07:45) - Learn how to set up and navigate the Browser to audition files at the project tempo, and then drag and drop them in to the Clips Pane.

• The Transport Module & NOW Time (05:59) - Learn how to use the transport module and read the various NOW time display formats, as well as how to control default start and stop playback behavior.

• Transport & NOW Time Shortcuts (05:55) - Speed up your workflow by learning some of the most commonly used transport and NOW time shortcuts.

• Working with Instruments & the Browser (04:45) - Learn how to use the Browser to load a soft synth and audition MIDI clips.

Basic Recording

• Audio Record Setup (05:52) - Discover how to create a new audio track manually, set the input and output for recording, and customize the metronome settings.

• Recording Audio (06:19) - Watch as a cowbell part is recorded in real time, followed by a shaker overdub on another track set to the same input.

• Soft Synth Setup & Recording (08:39) - Learn how to create and set up a soft synth track for recording, and look at some of the preferences for filtering specific types of MIDI messages.

Track Controls

• The Track Pane (06:59) - Learn how the track pane controls for audio, soft synth, and MIDI tracks work.

• Track Pane View Settings (06:32) - Learn some useful keyboard shortcuts to manage the Track Pane display, and how to use the Track Manager and Track Control Manager to filter specific tracks and controls from view.

• Track Inspector Controls (05:50) - Get an overview of the basic Track Inspector architecture and controls.

• Track & Clip Properties Inspectors (06:48) - Explore some of Sonar X1's new track and clip properties inspectors.

Quantizing and Groove Clips

• Intro to AudioSnap (11:53) - Learn how the AudioSnap palette and settings work and see how it's used to correct the timing of an audio recording.

• Quantizing MIDI (07:40) - See how the quantization parameters are used to correct the timing of MIDI events.

• Groove Clips (08:07) - Learn how to use Loop Construction View and the groove clip section of the Clip Properties Inspector, to create groove clips.

Editing

• Editing Basics (07:09) - Discover how to establish time and/or track based selections, and execute basic drag and drop edits.

• Cut Copy Paste & Split (06:44) - Watch how to customize cut copy and paste behavior, and some of the different ways to split clips.

Advanced Editing

• Zim Zam Zoom (05:29) - See how various mouse and keyboard shortcuts are used to zoom, scroll, and scale the display.

• Basic Tools Overview (06:57) - Learn how the basic tool functions work on audio and MIDI clips, and how to use the new HUD tool menu for easy access.

• Snap to Grid (05:26) - See how to use the Snap To Grid parameters to utilize landmarks as well as musical subdivisions or absolute time, and how to snap movement "by" a certain amount as well as "to" a specific position.

Advanced Recording

• Input Quantize (05:38) - Learn how to use the Input Quantize functions to create custom quantize presets that can be applied non destructively on input.

• Markers (07:53) - Explore how to create, edit, and use markers in your project as a means of navigation and identification, as well as a basis for time range selections.

• Loop Recording (04:10) - Learn how to set up loop recording with overwrite mode to automatically create track layers with each take, except the last, muted.

• Track Layers & Take Management (05:34) - See how to work with track layers to manage and edit multiple takes.

• Punch Recording (04:43) - Explore how punch recording is used in conjunction with loop recording to replace a predefined time range with multiple takes.

Workflow Techniques

• Solo & Mute (05:15) - Learn about some various mute and solo functions including dim solo, exclusive solo, and solo override modes.

• The Navigator Pane (03:51) - See how the display can be navigated graphically by using the Navigator View.

• Multidock & Screensets (06:30) - Explore some new ways of managing multiple windows and views using Sonar X1's new Multidock and Screenset features.

Working with MIDI

• Piano Roll View Display (05:54) - Learn how to call up and set the various Piano Roll View display options.

• PRV Note Editing (05:25) - Explore the way various tools are used to edit and create notes in the piano roll view.

• Working with Controllers (06:26) - Learn how to add, edit, and create MIDI continuous controller events in the piano roll view.

• Working with Staff View (06:10) - Discover how basic note, chord, and text marking creation and editing functions work in the staff view.

• Basic Step Recording (05:44) - See how the Step Recording window is used for non real-time MIDI note entry.

• Advanced Step Record Mode (05:51) - Explore some of the funky pattern based possibilities using the advanced step record mode features.

• Tempo Meter & Key Changes (05:00) - See how to create either static tempo changes or continuous ramps, and how to enter and delete meter and key changes throughout the project.

Effects and Mixing

• Real Time Effects (05:33) - Learn how to instantiate, manage, and use real-time effects plug-ins.

• Pro Channel (07:35) - Explore Sonar X1's new channel strip called Pro Channel, and how it can be used on some of the tracks in this arrangement.

• Clip Based Effects (03:42) - See how effects can be used on a per clip basis, as opposed to a per track basis.

• Busses (09:09) - Learn how to set up parallel signal routing using busses and send assignments.

• Sub Groups (02:58) - See how to create a sub group by using a bus as an output assignment destination for multiple tracks.

• Automation 101 (06:08) - Learn how to selectively read or write enable specific parameters, and how to capture parameter movement in order to dynamically change a value over time.

• Working with Automation Envelopes (07:12) - See how to create and edit automation envelopes directly within Track View.

• Final Tips & Export (10:02) - Pick up a few last minute mix tips, see how to use a peak limiter plug-in on the master bus, and learn how to export the full mix.