Reference Guide

59
Setup
Introduction
Setup
You can install SONAR on any computer that runs Windows 7 and has a sound card or built-in
sound module. If you want to hook up other devices, like a MIDI keyboard, an electric guitar, or a
microphone, you need the right cables, and you need to find the right connectors on your computer.
Before you install SONAR, take a minute to register the software so we can let you know when
updates become available and provide you with technical support. To register anytime log onto
www.cakewalk.com/register, or call 1.888.CAKEWALK (+1.617.423.9004 outside the U.S.) between
1 PM and 6 PM Eastern Standard Time. If you live outside of North America, please visit our
distributor’s page at www.cakewalk.com/Dealers/International.asp to get the telephone number of
your local distributor. You’ll need to supply your serial number, your name, and a valid email
address.
To connect a MIDI keyboard to your computer you will need a MIDI interface. Some sound cards
include a builti-in MIDI interface. If your model does not, there are many options available at your
local music store. Many of these will connect to your computer via USB.
If you have a dedicated MIDI interface, lots of electronic music gear, or work with many different
music software packages, see “Hardware setup” on page 1273.Before you attach or detach any
cables from your computer, you should shut down your computer and turn off the power to all your
equipment. This greatly reduces the chance of electrical damage to your equipment while plugging
and unplugging cables.
User accounts
Previous versions of SONAR required a user to have Windows Administrator status. This is no
longer the case. Any level of user can now install and run SONAR. Only one copy of SONAR per
machine is necessary for multiple users to run SONAR with each user’s personal settings.
When you first install SONAR, all application data files and .ini files are installed to the system-
specified “all users” application data folders:
Windows 7:
C:\ProgramData\Cakewalk
When you launch SONAR for the first time, all content files (such as track templates and project
templates) will be copied from the global application data folder (All Users) to the user application
data folder (User Account), before the program launches.
Note: SONAR X2 Producer and Studio provide native Windows x64 support. SONAR X2
Essential runs as a 32-bit program on a Windows x64 system.