Most beginners are stuck at the problem of getting sounds from their Cakewalk Sonar software, whether it is audio or midi. We’ve received emails and comments about troubleshooting this problem.

I think that’s why Cakewalk themselves created a video tutorial specifically to tackle this trouble faced by mostly beginners, or new Sonar users.

In this video, you will find out how to:

• look for the drivers, midi and audio devices installed on your computers
• rename the devices with easy friendly name
• setting up controller/surface
• explanation of ACT (Active Control Technology)and WAI (Where Am I)

Midi quantization is a standard function in most digital audio workstations.

For example, when you are arranging music and recording the drum (played with your fingers using keyboard or drum pad), there are certain notes that are not quite on the beat. The easiest way to edit the MIDI notes data is by using the MIDI quantization features. Some DAW allows real time quantizing but I personally prefer to quantize the notes only after auditioning the track.

Below is a video tutorial by Dustypuppy, showing you how to use the quantize function in Sonar.

Dustypuppy created this video tutorial showing you how to make use of the envelope automation.

Envelope tool is a function to draw or record the automation for your midi and audio track. Almost every parameter can be automated including pan, volume, effects send, and also parameters of the effect or synth inserted on the track.

The new envelope draw tool offers free hand drawing and preset shape drawing.