Tools module

The Tools module contains various tools that allow you to edit content in your projects. The current tool applies to whichever editing view has focus.

Using menu buttons

Several buttons in the Tools module display a small triangle in the bottom right corner. The triangle indicates that you can click and keep the mouse button pressed for a brief moment to access additional tools or options. You can also right-click the button and choose an option on the pop-up menu.

Figure 153. If a button displays a small triangle in the bottom right corner, click and keep the mouse button pressed to access additional tools or options.

To show/hide the Tools module

Right-click the Control Bar and select Tools Module.

Figure 154. Global tools are accessed from the Tools module in the Control Bar.

A. Smart tool B. Select tool C. Move tool D. Edit tools (Edit/Timing/Split) E. Draw tools (Freehand/Line/Sine/Triangle/Square/Saw/Random) F. Erase tools (Erase/Mute) G. Draw resolution

The Tools module contains the following controls:

Smart tool . The Smart tool is the default tool in SONAR. The Smart tool is a multi-function tool that combines functions from several other tools. For audio clips, automation and transients, the Smart Tool is a combination of the Edit, Select and Move tools. For MIDI notes, the Smart Tool is a combination of the Edit, Select, Move, Draw and Erase Tools. The function is determined by where you click. For details, see Smart tool.

Select tool . The Select tool lets you select data. You can select a time range, or select entire clips, MIDI notes, envelope nodes and transients. For details, see Select tool.

Move tool . The Move tool lets you move selected data. You can move entire clips, partial clips, MIDI notes, envelope nodes, transient markers and clip tempo map markers. For details, see Move tool.

Edit tool . The Edit tool lets you adjust data. You can slip-edit clips, adjust note start/end times, adjust fades, raise/lower clip volume envelope, and raise/lower note velocity and automation envelopes. For details, see Edit tool.

Timing tool . Select the Timing tool. The Timing tool lets you slip-stretch audio clips, drag-quantize MIDI notes, and stretch audio using transient markers. For details, see Timing tool.

Split tool . The Split tool lets you split clips, cut clips, split MIDI notes, split clips at transients, and add envelope nodes. For details, see Split tool.

Freehand tool . The Freehand tool lets you draw MIDI notes and freehand automation envelopes. You can also create and promote transient markers. For details, see Freehand tool.

Line Draw . The Line tool lets you draw straight automation envelopes and “paint” MIDI notes. For details, see Line tool.

Sine tool . The Sine Pattern tool lets you edit automation envelopes by drawing sine shapes. For details, see Sine tool.

Triangle tool . The Triangle Pattern tool lets you edit automation envelopes by drawing triangle shapes. For details, see Triangle tool.

Square tool . The Square Pattern tool lets you edit automation envelopes by drawing square shapes. For details, see Square tool.

Saw tool . The Saw Pattern tool lets you edit automation envelopes by drawing triangle shapes. For details, see Saw tool.

Random tool . The Random Pattern tool lets you edit automation envelopes by drawing random shapes. For details, see Random tool.

Erase tool . The Erase tool lets you delete clips, partial clips, MIDI notes, automation envelope nodes, and transient markers. For details, see Erase tool.

Mute tool . The Mute tool lets you mute clips, mute partial clips, mute MIDI notes, and disable transient markers. For details, see Mute tool.

Note value. The note duration that is used when drawing new Note events with the Smart tool or Freehand tool. Click the button and keep the mouse button pressed for a brief moment to access the note value menu. For details, see Specifying note durations.

Tip: You can quickly access the various tools from the Tools HUD by pressing T on your computer keyboard.

 

See:

Tools

Nudge

Zoom controls

Editing audio

Editing MIDI events and continuous controllers (CC)

Automation

AudioSnap (Producer and Studio only)

Selecting clips

Moving and copying clips

Splitting and combining clips

Slip-editing (non-destructive editing)

Fades and crossfades

Clip muting and isolating (clip soloing)

Scrubbing

 

See also:

Snap module

Transport module

Loop module

Mix module

ACT module

Screenset module

Performance module

Punch module

Select module

Markers module

Event Inspector module

Sync Module