Cakewalk is dead. Long live Cakewalk!

[dellboy]

No you can put transport on bottom, or top, or undock it... You can dock the media browser to wherever (left/right/top/bottom)...

Ok, I found out how to put the transport bar to the top. I also found out how to undock the media and fx browsers. I then try to dock them to the sides, but dragging does not work. I then look to see if it can be done in the menus somewhere, but if its there its not intuitive. Quick google pulls up nothing. Its at this point I always get bored with Reaper and go back to Live or something.

[EvilDragon]

Dock the undocked media browser to the toolbar docker, then you can drag on the tab of it to the side where you want it.

Also you probably didn't google hard enough:

[dellboy]

Dock the undocked media browser to the toolbar docker, then you can drag on the tab of it to the side where you want it.

Also you probably didn't google hard enough:

Ok, thanks, got that.

I tend to look for written stuff on google because youtubers usually waffle too much,but that one was ok-ish.

So I now have the mixer track to the left,and the fx browser to the right,and it starts to resemble Sonar a bit. I have tried to drag a vst from the browser to form a new track with an instrument inserted ,but clicking just makes them disappear. I feel sure it must have drag n drop, but again it is not intuitive for dumbos like me. But with your help I am getting there.

The answer is obvious, Reaper needs a virtual EvilDragon assistant built in !

[EvilDragon]

Drag&drop from FX browser into empty TCP area (where track headers are, NOT on track area where items are!) will create a new track with that instrument loaded. Or, on an already created empty track, drop it anywhere.


Definitely check out Kenny's videos here: http://reaper.fm/videos.php

They can really get you up to speed. Probably better than a manual would.

[zzz00m]

By the way, Reaper's roots themselves are unconventional: it stems from Sony Vegas, since that was the DAW Justin used before creating Reaper

Vegas is a video editor, though, not a DAW.

Vegas actually started out as a DAW by Sonic Foundry, before they sold out to Sony. I have a copy of Vegas Audio 2.0 from waaay back. So the core multi-track audio editing support was there from the start.

https://www.mixonline.com/technology/so ... -20-370065

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/ ... ead--6212/

[tonedef71]

Nope, it actually looks like one of previous versions of Sonar, it doesn't look like Skylight theme, I think it's X1 inspired.

When Sonar X1 was released, I believe that its redesigned UI was (and still is) known as "Skylight". The dark theme (dark grey/gold) in the most recent version of Sonar is called "Tungsten", and the original light theme (silver/cyan) intorduced in the X series is known as "Mercury".

[prodigal_sounds]

Definitely check out Kenny's videos here: http://reaper.fm/videos.php

They can really get you up to speed. Probably better than a manual would.

Amen to that. As a current SONAR user looking seriously at Reaper, I have to say that Kenny's videos are a god-send. If you put the time in to watch all of them (I'm still working my way through) and then experiment with what you've learned in Reaper, you'll be well on your way to competency, it seems to me.

Also - the default Reaper UI theme is a work of art. I know this is very subjective, but there's a reason that so many folks try to work up their own theme, only to give up after a few months... it is hard to cover all the features in an intelligent and user-friendly way.

80% of the migration battle is building up a level of familiarity with the product. And that takes time. So far, I am really enjoying the Reaper experience, having just migrated a project over from SONAR (not using the alpha-tool, but doing it manually) and I don't know if I'll switch permanently but if SONAR disappeared next week, I wouldn't be too upset.

Folks who are rejoicing at the BandLab acquisition are way too optimistic and unrealistic, in my view.

[trtzbass]

looking at those screenshots.

...I miss Sonar

[zzz00m]

That 'Tungsten' theme is tasty!

[Grumbleweed]

looking at those screenshots.

...I miss Sonar

It still exists if you already had it.

I've come to realise after using another DAW for a few months that Sonar did some things rather well.
The trouble is it was Sonar and it carried a reputation that was not deserved anymore - but mud sticks.
I do like using Cubase - I actually started and finished a complete track recently which is a pretty rare thing nowadays - but it isn't crash/glitch free which makes me feel sorry for Sonar which probably died for it's reputation for the same thing.

I'm mildly interested in what will happen when it is relaunched, but I feel like a casual observer rather than hoping for the second coming.

Grum.

[trtzbass]

I am exactly where you are, including my feelings towards Cubase.

My issue with Sonar as it is now is the uncertainty of what it's going to look like and the fact that a few months ago it was left for dead so I moved on to other pastures, including buying a Mac, which in retrospect was not a good move anyway because I'm not really enjoying the platform.
I have quite a few clients that need stuff all the time and I need to be as quick as I can. Using a DAW that's basically escaping abandonware status a the moment is too much a risk to take. I know I'm probably being paranoid.

looking at those screenshots.

...I miss Sonar

It still exists if you already had it.

I've come to realise after using another DAW for a few months that Sonar did some things rather well.
The trouble is it was Sonar and it carried a reputation that was not deserved anymore - but mud sticks.
I do like using Cubase - I actually started and finished a complete track recently which is a pretty rare thing nowadays - but it isn't crash/glitch free which makes me feel sorry for Sonar which probably died for it's reputation for the same thing.

I'm mildly interested in what will happen when it is relaunched, but I feel like a casual observer rather than hoping for the second coming.

Grum.

[zzz00m]

I have quite a few clients that need stuff all the time and I need to be as quick as I can. Using a DAW that's basically escaping abandonware status a the moment is too much a risk to take. I know I'm probably being paranoid.

I would say that is a valid concern for anybody working as a professional. It seems a lot of former Sonar users that were not attracted to Pro Tools, Cubase, or Logic, found that Studio One made for a good transition. There is also Reaper, but that appears to take a special sort of user. I wouldn't apply the word 'quick' to that, but it is highly customizable if you put in the effort.

It will be good for everyone if Sonar is kept alive, at least for pulling up old projects and exporting stuff that is needed. I think Studio One has got me, unless something amazing happens to Sonar.

[VariKusBrainZ]

Strange theres all those users of DAWs that never upgraded in years and are producing music just fine and yet some Sonar users are crapping their pants even though it still works the same as it did the day before the closure.

The sky is falling.....!!!

[zzz00m]

Strange theres all those users of DAWs that never upgraded in years and are producing music just fine and yet some Sonar users are crapping their pants even though it still works the same as it did the day before the closure.

The sky is falling.....!!!

That is correct. 'Some', but not all ...

[Zombie Queen]

and yet some Sonar users are crapping their pants even though it still works the same as it did the day before the closure

The problem here is the activation system, servers are working now, but since Cakewalk is gone and Gibson may be gone anytime soon, there are chances they disappear. Then you're good for as long as you don't need to change your hardware, disc or motherboard. How/if Bandlab is going to handle this, time will tell. These concerns are not illusionary.