Reference Guide

1024
New features in SONAR 8.5
MIDI out port assignments are retained when adding/removing MIDI devices
In SONAR 8, control surfaces retain their current MIDI port assignments even if you add or remove
MIDI devices.
If any assigned MIDI port is missing when you load a project, SONAR will let you remap each
missing port to an available port. For more information, see “MIDI out port assignments are retained
when adding/removing MIDI devices” on page 1024.
Display logical VST parameter values
SONAR is now able to display meaningful real-world parameter values for VST plug-ins instead of
generic values (0.0 through 1.0). For example, an equalize plug-in might show 20kHz instead of 1.0.
Accurate parameter values are exposed in the following locations:
• ACT surfaces and property pages.
• Assignable controls in the Synth Rack and Console view.
• Envelope tooltips (only current value at Now Time). Envelope tooltips that are at some arbitrary
value will still show 0.0 through 1.0.
MIDI out port assignments are retained when
adding/removing MIDI devices
In SONAR 8, MIDI tracks and control surfaces retain their current MIDI output port assignments if
you add or remove MIDI devices.
Changing output ports in the MIDI Devices dialog
Changing MIDI output ports in the MIDI Devices dialog has the following effect:
• Enabling a new output port. All MIDI tracks and control surfaces retain their current output
port assignments.
• Disabling an unassigned output port. All MIDI tracks and control surfaces retain their current
output port assignments.
• Disabling an assigned output port. The result is different for MIDI tracks and control surfaces:
• MIDI tracks. The Missing MIDI Ports dialog appears and lets you remap the missing output
ports to available output ports.
Note: All VST plug-ins do not expose the information that is required to show meaningful
parameter values. SONAR will attempt to obtain the best parameter value information possible
from the plug-in.
Note: If you do not remap a missing device, the track’s Output control will display MISSING:
<name of missing device>. If the missing device becomes available in the future, the track will
automatically be assigned to the correct device.