Kevin wrote: snip, 1. Importing tracks from another project. Pro tools has been able to do this forever. Essentially, you can select the project you want to import from, select what tracks you want, and select what attributes such as tempo map, plugins, audio, markers, etc. It really blows having to reconstruct a project from the ground up if I'm needing to change any work flows such as adding my new drum library. I've created a sonar template with the library in the synth rack and all it's respective tracks in place and named. I now have to go back and paste in piano and vocal tracks from an old session so that I can lay the new drums. I shouldn't have to do that. I should be able to just import them all in 1 fell swoop with all my tempos, plugins, etc ready to roll. I guess I could export them all as a track template and then import that cwx file into the new session, but again, that is a step I shouldn't have to do. I'm curious as to why Cakewalk didn't include this. It's so basic. Phil comments, yes using the CWX file would be a good option, plus there's always copy and paste which does work between projects. I never use the import audio feature in Sonar. If I know the tempo of the project that I am moving data too then, I don't need to use it. Note: in order to do this, you will have to copy and paste from the old tracks, to the exact tracks in your new project. Meaning that, you need to make sure that your on the same track in your old project, as you are in your new project. Other wise, Sonar has know way of knowing whether you want to copy data to audio/MIDI tracks. Export your .cwx file and import it into your new project. Then, go to the first track in the old project and select it and any other tracks. In the copy dialog, check all of the boxes for markers, tempo etc. Now, open your new project and go to the first track where you want to paste. That should do it. Kevin wrote: 2. Ability to select keys using the keyboard in the drum map manager. Ok. this one is just plain ridiculous. I had an idea to do some major remapping of a drum softsynth. However, I found that when in the drum map manager, there is absolutely no way to tap keys on your keyboard and input the notes into the in and out note boxes. Are you kidding me? So you're saying that I have to actually know what the note numbers are? I don't have that kind of time. They've made it wonderfully easy to choose notes with the keyboard in so many other dialogues such as the metronome and event filter select. Why not the drum map manager? It just makes it seem so archaic putting in numbers instead of note names. Phil replied: will take a look at this. Kevin wrote: 3. Can we please ditch SFZ as a sample format? Pro Tools has Structure, logic has EXS 24. Can we please have a sample format that is actually in the 21st century? There's no easy way to actually construct instruments without either laying down tons of money for one of these sample converters, or burning a ton of time up editing a text file instead of being creative. Even if cakewalk went with one of Roland's formats, I'd be satisfied. I don't know about you, but building an instrument by writing or editing a text file sounds like work for Commander Data rather than a creative artist. Phil replied: the point that you have completely missed with the .sfz format over all others that you have mentioned is that it's accessible for us. If you went with any of the other formats then, we wouldn't be able to create our own sample data for softsynthes or load it. Formats such as EXS 24 are completely inaccessible. Plus, there are free ways to convert sound fonts into the .SFZ format. This would allow you to use converted soundfonts in any of the Cakewalk softsynthes that support this format such as SessionDrummer2, SFZ, Dimension, DropZone and Rapture. Kevin wrote: I'm not trying to sound harsh with any of these feature requests, but I do get extremely irritated when things that should be simple and not hinder the creative process are complicated and end up doing so. Having messed with several recording platforms, I am now convinced that because of the nature of why we record and the motivation behind working with these tools, the learning curve should be as low as possible. Not because anyone is dumb or slow, but because we as musicians are pulled by the currents of creativity and if we have to edit a text file, or look on line for a midi chart just to change some notes around in a drumkit, the creative tide will soon go out and so much for getting that idea down. Phil replied: agree with you there. Kevin wrote: snip, One of the things that I have appreciated about my switch to sonar was the fact that in some ways, there is almost 0 learning curve. Obviously, you have to have a somewhat strong knowledge of computers and how the whole concept of digital recording works. I'm not expecting things to be easy in a hand holding sort of way where people don't learn and grow. However, I do expect developers of creative tools to take extra consideration when implementing technology to aid in the creative process. We should be creating, not geeking out. Simple as that. You're thoughts Phil replied: As for my thoughts, you have them! Regards, Phil Muir P J Muir Productions, Music And Audio Production Telephone: US (615) 713-2021 UK+44-1747-821-794 Mobile: UK +44-7968-136-246 E-mail: info@xxxxxxxxxxxx URL: www.philmuir.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin Reeves To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 9:58 AM Subject: [ddots-l] General Sonar feature requests. Hey folks. Due to the nature of Dancing Dots, I know that there are a few folks on this list who work closely with Cakewalk developers. I have a couple of general feature requests for Sonar itself that are apart from accessibility needs. I want to throw this out there and start some dialog, eventually hoping to get this into the hands of Cakewalk themselves. 1. Importing tracks from another project. Pro tools has been able to do this forever. Essentially, you can select the project you want to import from, select what tracks you want, and select what attributes such as tempo map, plugins, audio, markers, etc. It really blows having to reconstruct a project from the ground up if I'm needing to change any work flows such as adding my new drum library. I've created a sonar template with the library in the synth rack and all it's respective tracks in place and named. I now have to go back and paste in piano and vocal tracks from an old session so that I can lay the new drums. I shouldn't have to do that. I should be able to just import them all in 1 fell swoop with all my tempos, plugins, etc ready to roll. I guess I could export them all as a track template and then import that cwx file into the new session, but again, that is a step I shouldn't have to do. I'm curious as to why Cakewalk didn't include this. It's so basic. 2. Ability to select keys using the keyboard in the drum map manager. Ok. this one is just plain ridiculous. I had an idea to do some major remapping of a drum softsynth. However, I found that when in the drum map manager, there is absolutely no way to tap keys on your keyboard and input the notes into the in and out note boxes. Are you kidding me? So you're saying that I have to actually know what the note numbers are? I don't have that kind of time. They've made it wonderfully easy to choose notes with the keyboard in so many other dialogues such as the metronome and event filter select. Why not the drum map manager? It just makes it seem so archaic putting in numbers instead of note names. 3. Can we please ditch SFZ as a sample format? Pro Tools has Structure, logic has EXS 24. Can we please have a sample format that is actually in the 21st century? There's no easy way to actually construct instruments without either laying down tons of money for one of these sample converters, or burning a ton of time up editing a text file instead of being creative. Even if cakewalk went with one of Roland's formats, I'd be satisfied. I don't know about you, but building an instrument by writing or editing a text file sounds like work for Commander Data rather than a creative artist. I'm not trying to sound harsh with any of these feature requests, but I do get extremely irritated when things that should be simple and not hinder the creative process are complicated and end up doing so. Having messed with several recording platforms, I am now convinced that because of the nature of why we record and the motivation behind working with these tools, the learning curve should be as low as possible. Not because anyone is dumb or slow, but because we as musicians are pulled by the currents of creativity and if we have to edit a text file, or look on line for a midi chart just to change some notes around in a drumkit, the creative tide will soon go out and so much for getting that idea down. One of the things that I have appreciated about my switch to sonar was the fact that in some ways, there is almost 0 learning curve. I literally bought Cake Talking, and was in a session that next week putting together sequences for my casino duo. I didn't have time to get nerdy. I needed to get busy. So my conquest as a musician, consultant, teacher, artist, learner, etc, is to find ways to make this stuff so easy that anything left brained is kept to a bare minimum. Obviously, you have to have a somewhat strong knowledge of computers and how the whole concept of digital recording works. I'm not expecting things to be easy in a hand holding sort of way where people don't learn and grow. However, I do expect developers of creative tools to take extra consideration when implementing technology to aid in the creative process. We should be creating, not geeking out. Simple as that. You're thoughts?