SONAR: Get Started - MIDI Devices and Controller Setup

Learn how to setup MIDI devices in SONAR (version 8.5 and earlier). This video covers basic configuration of keyboard controllers and control surfaces (including ACT, WAI, etc).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• GS
• Midi
• Devices
• and
• Controller
• Setup

[lushfauna]

X1 is not user friendly at all- I have lots of experience with DAWS and have spent 2 days trying to figure out how to play any of the synths from a midi keyboard should be click and play but has thousands of sub windows and the instruction book is like 40 pages of general bla. They say it all streamlined but garage band from 5 years ago has a better flow Instead of making music I'm probably going to have to call customer support. So far 5 out of 10 to much crap not enough work flow

[CakewalkSoftware]

@lushfauna Playing an instrument is as easy as dragging it from the Browser and playing your keyboard. There are no sub-windows involved at all. It's as easy or easier than in any software on the market and could hardly be less convoluted. Drag from the Browser and play your keyboard. It's 1 step so I'm not sure what you are doing. The problem is likely that you don't have your keyboard or audio interface properly configured or enabled. Support is free and I'm sure they can help you.

[g77seven]

How do you up load mp3 files ?? also where are the instruments ?/

[CakewalkSoftware]

@g77seven You load mp3 files like you'd load any other file in SONAR. No special requirements. The instruments are loaded through the Synth Rack.

[101AOK]

Don't even use this program with the complaints you people have. You are all commenting on amateur home crap.Sonar is Not for beginners or mid ability musicians.There are other less complicated versions available even from Cake.Sonar turned the corner a couple years ago and became a PLAYER in pro audio. A true force. Don't bitch because you didn't even read the manual or even know where it is. Sonar is NOT for you. No big deal. You don't have the time and are NOT an engineer,you don't need Sonar

[charlesbonkley]

I just wanted to say THANKS for this video. Something so simple was frustrating to me until I found this video which, to me, explained everything to get the ACT feature up and running on my A500 Pro.

[Cokoholicar]

@Menozification

I hate apple and it's not complaining, it's reality.

[Menozification]

@Cokoholicar Yeah...I think you should just go with what you are used to. Sonar is way too complicated for you. It is not really meant for the masses. In this day and time there are those who read and there are those who complain and want to puch a button and do magic. Go to Apple thats easy shit.

[101AOK]

@Cokoholicar Yeah the deal where it takes over your sound card as the ONLY program you can use when open is a PAIN. I've been using Sonar since the old Pro Audio days so I kind of rolled with the punches along the way. The drum machine is super easy now. Used to be terrible. Well best to you...just don't stop. Keep rockin.

[Cokoholicar]

There's just too many people here complaining for this to be a good software.

[Cokoholicar]

@101AOK

Ok dude, let me just tell you some of the shortcomings. You can't work with another DAW while in sonar (BIG MINUS), can't open winamp while working in sonar, VST is just a douche in sonar cause there's no intuitive interface on that, I guess you'd have to read 240 pages before even starting on it. Doesn't export in MP3 you have to pay extra for that, I mean wtf? It's complicated and quantizing and making a drum with a click is almost unachievable. Only audio tweaking is good.

[JesusMics2011]

I've used all DAW's over the last 12 years and Sonar by far is the most versatile, do it all DAW software on the market. Everything producers and engineers have ever asked for is all in one package. ROLAND brings decades of experience to the table that other companies can't come close to comparing to.

[SuperHarvestMan]

I can get it to recognize my MIDI input (keyboard via usb), but for some reason, I cannot get it to playback through the PC. The little red light on the right won't flash, and it won't playback through Sonar. I've tried changing the outputs to all possible combinations of speaker, or sound card, etc, and it never works? Please help. Thanks for the vid. Also, I'm able to get playback on my audio tracks, when I record through a mic. But not through the MIDI

[CriticsConfession]

I'm currently using a Behringer XENYX X1222USB on X1 and I can't figure out how to get the faders to control the Console View on Sonar X1 Producer. I can only currently use it as an audio interface, which I love about it, but I would like to be able to use it to control the console AS WELL. Any advice?

[SMITHYSMUDGER1]

I got sonar yesterday and so far its amazing but when I connect my keyboard with my laptop through a usb midi cable, it says on MIDI Devices that nothing is connected. Can you please help me!