Reference Guide

Tools
SONAR has several different global tools that allow you to edit content in your projects. The global
tools live in the Tools module in the Control Bar, and allow you to edit content in the following views:
• Track view
• Piano Roll view
• Staff view
• Tempo view
The selected tool applies to whichever editing view has focus. There are several ways to select
tools:
• From the Tools module in the Control Bar. For details, see “Using the Control Bar to select tools”
on page 411.
• From the Tools HUD (Heads Up Display). For details, see “Using the Tools HUD to select tools”
on page 413.
• By pressing the tool’s keyboard shortcut. For details, see “Using keyboard shortcuts to select
tools” on page 414.
Figure 97. Global tools are accessed from the Tools module in the Control Bar.
Each tool serves a specific purpose, and the most suitable tool depends on the editing task you want
to accomplish. The default Smart tool can be used for most tasks, but there may be times when a
specific tool is either required or makes the editing task easier. For instructions about common
editing tasks, see “Using tools to perform common tasks” on page 473.
To use a tool in the Track view, first select the desired tool, then select the data type you want to edit
(clips, track automation, clip automation, audio transients, or notes). You can specify the desired
data type independently for each track. For details, see “Selecting the data type to edit” on page 416.