To The Obscure
Sonar has some new features that will create at least a small learning curve even for power users of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9. Loop construction is a powerful tool that has been integrated into Sonar, while software synth technology takes on a new face with the creation of the DXi standard. These are covered both in concept and practical use.

Dxi is stands for DirectX instruments, and is a standard developed by Cakewalk in conjunction with Microsoft DirectX. It is similar in its impact to the VST 2.0 plug-in standard, with full integration of software synths into the program. Now, the audio output for the synth is set up within the program, where previously a synth would be seen as a MIDI port while the synth software had to run in the background with its own audio device setup. With the new standard, an audio track can be created from a MIDI track and written to the current project completely in software, never leaving the digital domain. Sonar Power! explains this, going into detail about the software synths that are included with Sonar, and suggests that the user mix all of their soft synth tracks down to a stereo track prior to the mixdown/go to CD stage. One can also bounce individual MIDI tracks down to a mono or stereo audio track within Sonar, allowing you to then EQ or add effects to each specific track. This aspect, which I find poignant, seems to have been overlooked.

One interesting point that Garrigus makes is the compatibility that the integrated Dxi software synths offer. I've had this type of experience before, where I composed using a particular synth, so that I could send the MIDI file to someone else using the same synth who could then bring up the song and hear exactly what I heard. Using Dxi synths in Sonar, this would be fully integrated into the MIDI or bundle file that could be emailed to the other side of the world in a number of nanoseconds.

CAL and StudioWare have been features of Cakewalk products for some time. Many users of different types of products learn features on a "need-to-do basis," meaning that when the need arises, the quest for "how-to" begins. CAL and StudioWare always seemed obscure to me, and perhaps due to the lack of fanfare in the Cakewalk manuals, I never pursued them. Sonar Power! brings these advanced features home for the everyday user, in a way that makes me want to get in and start exploring.

The Wrap-up
Sonar Power! is a good read, and an empowering supplement for the Sonar user, either just beginning, or with some amount of expertise underway. For any serious user of Sonar, it could only be a plus to have the additional perspective that Sonar Power! offers. Sonar, it might be added, is a great program, and Cakewalk has been my choice for a number of years. Check out the Sonar review on this site.

Written into the book are enhancements such as the sidebars, while information is constantly cross-reference to earlier or later sections of the book. On a critical note, I'd say that the cross-references could be more exacting, such as specific pages for the reference or section titles. As it is, references are made only to the chapter in which you will find addition information, so the reader has to hunt a peck a little bit.

All in all, the 466 page Sonar Power! experience is a positive one. Sonar Power! is available from Amazon.com, and the ISBN number is: 1-929685-36-X, which may help in exploring other sources. The book is currently available, with an MSRP of $29.95. I'm happy to say that Scott R. Garrigus will be contributing a "tip of the week" to Digital Pro Sound, so check out his articles under the Techniques section of the site.