Reference Guide

60 Introduction
Setup
If you install a SONAR patch on top of the original installation, any updated content files in the patch
will not overwrite existing content files in your personal user application data folder. However, you
can force SONAR to update the default content files in your personal user data folder.
To force SONAR to update and overwrite any default content files, hold down the CTRL key while
starting SONAR.Data in the Program Files folder will be common to all users.
Next topic: “Audio connections” on page 60
Audio connections
There are several types of audio interfaces (soundcards). CardBus (PCI), USB/USB2 and FireWire
are the most common. Laptops can use an audio PCMCIA card. Many audio interfaces also have
MIDI inputs and some have built in MIDI synthesizers as well. This section covers the various audio
connection options.
Analog and digital Inputs
There are two basic types of audio inputs, analog and digital. Analog inputs allow you to connect a
guitar, mic or other instrument to your computer directly. The audio interface converts the analog
input to digital. Digital inputs allow other digital devices to connect directly to your computer.
Common digital inputs include external analog to digital converters, popular guitar processors like
the Line 6 POD, and other digital recording systems like the ADAT decks. Analog inputs are very
common, and are standard in virtually all consumer sound cards (the ones that come with your
computer). Digital inputs are becoming more popular and are very common on professional and mid-
level, “prosumer” interfaces. Analog inputs allow you to record a mono or stereo signal (assuming
you have a stereo input) while digital inputs allow you to record 1 to 8 signals depending on the type
of digital connection.
Warning: The following action will overwrite any SONAR data files such as track templates and
project templates that you may have customized. A message box will prompt you if you want to
continue or cancel. Only proceed if you are certain that you will not overwrite any important
customized files.