Frequently Asked Questions for JSonar (JAWS Scripts for Cakewalk Sonar)

JSonar Basics (9)

JSonar Basics

What versions of JAWS does JSonar work with?

As of this writing JSonar supports all versions of JAWS starting from 7.10 onward, including the latest JAWS 11 beta.

What is JSonar?

JSonar is a set of JAWS scripts that enables users of this screen reader to use Cakewalk Sonar, a professional music recording software from 12-tone Systems. Visit their web site to learn more…And before you ask… JAWS is a screen reading software from Freedom Scientific.

What is JSonar?

JSonar is a set of JAWS scripts that enables users of the JAWS screen reader from Freedom Scientific to use Cakewalk Sonar, a professional music recording software from Cakewalk.

With the help of JSonar project blind musicians, sound engineers, producers frRead more

Which versions of Cakewalk Sonar does JSonar support?

JSonar supports versions 4, 5, 6 and 7 of both Cakewalk Sonar Studio and Producer editions.Read more

What about other Cakewalk products, such as Cakewalk Home Studio or Cakewalk Music Creator?

Unfortunately, due to the time and resource constraints we cannot support all Cakewalk products. However, as JSonar is an open source project, anyone is welcome to contribute in whatever way they can. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.

Having said this though, the following Cakewalk products reportedly work with JSonar:

  • Sonar Home Studio (version 6 and below).
  • Sonar LE (version 6 and below).
  • Music Creator.
What languages does JSonar support?

At the time of this writing the following languages are supported (meaning that JSonar scripts have been translated into this language):Read more

  • Russian: (installer, scripts, Readme, keyboard guides); courtesy of Victor Gorelov, Russia.
  • Dutch: (installer, scripts); courtesy of Paul Erkens, Netherlands.
  • German: (scripts); courtesy of Marco Zehe, Germany.
  • Swedish: (installer, scripts,
How do I start using JSonar?

We suggest that you first have a quick look through these frequently-asked questions and JSonar Tutorial to learn more about features of both Cakewalk Sonar and JSonar. Once you have decided that JSonar is for you, head over to the downloads section and download the version of JSonar that matches your version of Cakewalk Sonar you want to use.

Where do I get help with JSonar?

To get the most qualified answer for your JSonar-related question, subscribe to the JSonar users list through the Support Pagewhere you will find all the necessary subscription information. There are a lot of helpful professionals on this list who are willing to help you out. …And since JSonar users are located worldwide, you may get your answer at any time of the day.

How do I contact developers of JSonar project?

Use our Contact Form, pick the question category, type your message and click “submit” button; your message should be on the way to us. For JSonar usage questions, we strongly encourage you to use the discussion list mentioned above since you will most likely get a faster and perhaps even more than one answer.

Using JSonar (9)

Using JSonar

How can I perform time and tempo correction using Audio Snap?

There are two great podcasts produced by Luis Elorza that demonstrate how to change tempo and correct the timing of the song using Audio Snap in Cakewalk Sonar.

Please visit the podcasts section of this site to hear those tutorials.

How do I close or turn off the "Quick Start" dialog in Sonar 8.5?

After installing Sonar 8.5, all users will encounter the “quick start” dialog box.  Due to some changes in Sonar 8.5, this dialog has become inaccessible for keyboard and screen reader users. However, there are a couple of ways to dismiss or disable this window.Read more

  1. Using your screen readers mouse simulation keystrokes for navigation, E.G, the Jaws cursor:
    1. Move to a screen position of 364,
How do I navigate, select and manipulate tracks and buses in JSonar?

Use these simple guidelines for navigating, selecting and manipulating tracks and buses:Read more

Track/bus navigation

  • Up and Down arrows navigate to previous and next track/bus respectively (unless you are using track folders).
I installed JSonar but JSonar control surface is not working, why?

For reasons beyond our control, JSonar control surface may not always install correctly. It is, however, very much needed for proper operation of the JSonar scripts.Read more

How do I know that the JSonar control surface is not installed?

Why do I get a message "Window Not Found" from JSonar?

Without getting into much detail, when you hear a message “window not found”, JSonar is telling you that it could not locate the control (a button or an edit field) on the screen that you were trying to reach. Since there is no one reason as to why this situation may occur, here are several possibilities and troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this situation.Read more

How do I save a preset for my plug-in using JSonar?

If your plug-in or a software synthesizer has a Hot Spot Clicker preset written for it, this procedure is actually very easy. Most HSC presets, written by Phil Muir and distributed with JSonar provide a shortcut key, ALT+SHIFT+P, that will automatically place your cursor on the “presets” combo box.Read more

How do I use Loop Construction view with JSonar?

Since most of the functions of the Loop Construction view can be manipulated through Cakewalk Sonar's toolbar, JSonar provides a very simple and intuitive interface for using these features.Read more

How do I use Clips Pane with JSonar?

At the time of this writing, Clips Pane support is in its experimental phase. However, you can already use this feature for some simple tasks, as follows:Read more

  • From inside track or bus pane, use INSERT+CONTROL+DOWNARROW to move to clips pane and ESCAPE to get back to previous Pane.
What are track folders and how do I use them with JSonar?

Track folders is a feature of the Cakewalk software that allows you to group relevant tracks into folders. For example, you could store all your drum tracks into one folder while your guitar or keyboard tracks could go into another folder. You can also move tracks from one folder to another or remove tracks from them altogether.Read more

Buses and Sends (2)

Buses and Sends

How do I work with sends in JSonar?

There are several ways you can manipulate sends using JSonar:

To review parameters for one or more sends on a track or bus

  1. Press CTRL+Shift+S once to hear a quick summary.
  2. Press CTRL+Shift+S to display this summary in a virtual buffer.

    From thereon you can use arrow keys to review the infromation presented or use links in the virtual buffer to toggle sends on and off.Read more

To i

Is there an easy way to find out which tracks are connected to which buses?

JSonar provides an ellegant way to learn about connection between buses and tracks through a single keystroke (CONTROL+ALT+SHIFT+C). This feature xists in JSonar versions all the way down to JSonar5.Read more

Effects (5)

Effects

How do I use SessionDrummer3 with Sonar 8.5?

Sonar 8.5 ships with the new version of Session Drummer plug-in.Read more

How do I use fade feature in Sonar?
  • Select the tracks you want to fade out. they must be audio tracks.
  • Set your from time at the spot, where you want to fade out with F9 key.
  • Set the through time to the end of the song with F10.
  • Go to the process menu and select audio. here you can select fade and then choose the method that best sutes your needs.
How do I work with Effect bin in JSonar?

How do I list all the effects on a track or a bus or move to the effect bin?

You can find the list of effects on a track or a bus by pressing Control+Shift+F.Read more

Using per-track EQ with JSonar

Cakewalk Sonar provides a 4 band graphic EQ which can be enabled for each audio track.

Below are the steps to use it with JSonar:Read more

  • Open sonar and a project you want to work on; make sure you are located in the track view.
  • Find the track for which you want to modify EQ parameters.
  • Tab once to the “track inspector” and down arrow to “Display” field, then hit enter.
  • Make sure
How do I use V-vocal with JSonar?

V-Vocal is a plug-in built into Cakewalk Sonar software that provides various pitch-correction techniques for improving the quality of the sound material.Read more

Looping, punching and Selecting (2)

Questions related to looping, punching and selecting

How do I use autopunch feature with JSonar?

To set punch points:Read more

  • set the from and thru to the time range over which you wish to punch.
  • press Alt+Shift+left square bracket; this toggles autopunch mode on.
  • now press Alt+Shift+left square bracket twice; this sets the punch range to the from/thru selection.
  • If you wish to read (verify) your punch points, press control+shift+left square bracket once for “punch from” and twi
How do I set loop points with JSonar?

To set loop points:Read more

  • set the from and thru to the time range over which you wish to loop.
  • press Alt+Shift+right square bracket; this toggles loop mode on.
  • now press Alt+Shift+right square bracket twice; this sets the loop range to the from/thru selection.
  • If you wish to read (verify) your loop points, press control+shift+right square bracket once for “loop from” and twice for
Metronome (1)

Changing metronome options

How do I use metronome with JSonar?

Where do I find “metronome options” functions in JSonar7?

A. Starting from JSonar7 “Metronome Options” are located under the “Utilities” menu, accessed by pressing Control+Shift+F12.

How do I go about toggling various metronome functions with JSonar?

A.Read more

Using Sonar (1)

Questions related to Cakewalk Sonar specifically

I am no longer able to Control+Tab between open views in Sonar 8.5, why?

To fix the situation, simply do the following:

  1. Make sure the new project/template is open.
  2. Go to the “View->Enabling Tabbing for Open Views” option and make sure it is unchecked.

Unfortunately, you will have to perform the two steps above every time you launch Sonar. It may be possible to save this setting by creating the new track template though.Read more

Hot Spot Clicker (4)

Hot Spot Clicker

Hot spots defined by me do not work after a while, why?

There may be several reasons for this behavior:Read more

  • Your screen resolution or Windows theme has changed since the last time the hot spot set was used.
  • The plug-in window may be covered by one or more windows (use control+tab to inspect all opened windows and close the ones that are no longer needed).
  • The plug-in may be using floating windows which means that they do not stay in the sa
How do I make sure that my HSC sets load automatically?

If you are using multiple plug-ins, it is very convenient if your HSC sets load automatically whenever the new plug-in opens.Read more

Why none of my HSC keystrokes work?

It is very likely that Hot Spot Clicker lost all its shortcut keys after JSonar has been uninstalled or reinstalled. Here is how to fix this situation:Read more

  1. Make sure that the HSC set for your plug-in is loaded. You can do this in one of the following ways:
    1. Control+Tab several times until you return back to the plug-in window.
Why do I get the "No hot spots defined" message?

In general, the “no hot spot defined” message appears when active hot spot set does not contain any hot spots.Read more