SONAR: Tips and Tricks thread...

[Monarch]

Sonar tips and Tricks

SONAR's Step sequencer

1.This is not just for drums. It can also be used with *any* synth. So you can use to create bass lines as well.

2. You can save Step Sequencer patterns easily. Just right click the Step Sequencer toolbar and choose Save Pattern.

3. Change the order of rows - Simply click on the row you want to move and drag it up or down

4. Merge notes easily by simply clicking between them in SONARS Step sequencer.

5. You can even convert a Midi clip to a Step Sequencer clip easily... just right click on the selected clip and choose Convert MIDI clip(s) to Step Sequencer.




Using z3ta and an FX

Really simple quick tip. If you right click on the FX bin in Sonar you will be able patch in z3ta+ as an FX. Once you have done this you can easily use it as an FX processor.

Here is a list of FX that are found in z3ta+

Drive: with 6 different modes
Modulation: Includes a Quad phaser chorus and flanger
Compressor
Delays: Tempo synced
Reverb
EQ: 7 Band

A really easy way to get a variety of FX processor variations going is to simply step through the synth presets. They are available even when the synth is patched as an FX.

There is a lot more detail to the FX than the brief summary above show, but it should give you an idea as to how many more processing options are available in Sonar. More detail on the available FX can be found here here.

Click the strip:
Another quick tip for Sonar's z3ta+... the strip at the bottom of the synth can be used to quickly audition any preset, just click on it.

Right click for import:
You do not have to use the other older options SONAR offers for Midi or Audio file import in the usual way. Simply right click anywhere in the arrangement to Import Audio or Midi at that point in the arrangement.

Rename Instruments in Sonars Synth rack:
If you do not like to see 5 instances of Dimension and no easy way to tell quickly what sound it represents, you can simply rename the instance. So you could have one called Lead...another Pad e.t.c

EQ settings:
You do not need to open up another instance of Sonar's track EQ (Sonitus) and load up the same preset if you want the same settings.
Simply drag from one enabled EQ plot in Sonars console for instance to another. Cltrl click, hold down and drag to the new EQ plot destination.

When is Solo not really a solo command?
If you just want to hear a track you are working on above other tracks, but not have to solo it completely, use Dim - Solo in Sonar. When this is activated (click the Dim - Solo button) tracks that use Solo will automatically cause other tracks to dim their db values by -6db -12db or -18db. This is one of my favourite features in SONAR.

V. Vocal

Quick easy way to convert Pitch to MIDI in SONAR click on V - Vocals Pitch to MIDI button and drag to SONAR's clips pane, this will produce a MIDI clip of the data you have corrected or adjusted in V -Vocal. You could use this technique to build a song around a tune you have just recorded vocals for in Sonar. That new MIDI clip can now trigger a Dimension Rhodes Piano of Synth line for instance.

V Vocal in depth



Advanced V Vocal



Audiosnap (One of the most powerful features in Sonar)




Active Controller Technology - (ACT) How to get started. Part 1





Active Controller Technology - (ACT) How to get started. Part 2

[sphelan]

Excellent Monarch...I look forward to trying it out as soon as I can. And I look forward to benefitting from you long experience with Sonar.

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by sphelan

Excellent Monarch...I look forward to trying it out as soon as I can. And I look forward to benefitting from you long experience with Sonar.

Thanks sphelan

[sureno]

Glad to see you posting this M

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by sureno

Glad to see you posting this M

Your nudge in the other thread definitely worked.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Monarch

Your nudge in the other thread definitely worked.

Lets hope it has the same effect on others

[Monarch]

Added additional info for Audiosnap and ACT (Parts 1 and 2) two of the most powerful features in Sonar.

[Meander]

Just a very simple tip for those using looped samples:

Cut your sample to the correct length in any audio editor.
When you have imported the loop into your host and you find that it does not fit the 2/4/8/ bar markers in the host, simply right click on the audio clip and click "apply Groove Clip" and the loop will stretch/squash to fit the tempo of the host and from here on in loop seamlessly.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by Meander

Just a very simple tip for those using looped samples:

Cut your sample to the correct length in any audio editor.
When you have imported the loop into your host and you find that it does not fit the 2/4/8/ bar markers in the host, simply right click on the audio clip and click "apply Groove Clip" and the loop will stretch/squash to fit the tempo of the host and from here on in loop seamlessly.

nice

[Monarch]

@ Meander...
Nice tip Meander. Its one of the easiest ways to timestretch loops in Sonar but it does not get mentioned that much. Once you have groove clipped then you can them drag them into Cyclone for some seriously creative mayhem!

[Meander]

NP. Thanks for the DIM - SOLO tip

Another simple tip (can be used perfectly with DIM-SOLO) is to open Sonar's "Big Time" window to really listen to your track without the distraction of the GUI. Great for those who are regulalry reaching for the power button on their monitor while working. Has the added bonus that you can correlate notes to the timeline, making for easy corrections. I love this simple but useful function.