Sonar on top

[Dana Elston]

Wondering if it's me or... All previous versions of Cakewalk always had Cakewalk "on top" that is, as as you open it you could hit the spacebar and it would start. Now I have to click on it before it will start. Anybody else?

[57Gregy]

1 hour ago, Dana Elston said:

Wondering if it's me or... All previous versions of Cakewalk always had Cakewalk "on top" that is, as as you open it you could hit the spacebar and it would start. Now I have to click on it before it will start. Anybody else?

So, you're talking about Cakewalk by Bandlab (CbB, Cakewalk), not Cakewalk Sonar (Sonar), the forum you're in?

[57Gregy]

Probably CbB, since there are no previous versions of Cakewalk Sonar. Sonar has been updated a couple of times? I don't have Sonar.
In any case, using the latest CbB, I could start/stop MIDI projects, MIDI/audio projects and all-audio projects with the space bar.
None of these songs had VST effects or VST instruments. Windows 10.
What happens if you press the space bar and wait a few seconds (or more)?

[Kurre]

To lose focus on a window happens sometimes.

Most likely a background process that steals the focus.

Keep an eye on the taskmanager and what the processes do when starting Sonar.

Also check the keyboard shortcut settings, just in case.

[Dana Elston]

5 hours ago, 57Gregy said:

Probably CbB, since there are no previous versions of Cakewalk Sonar. Sonar has been updated a couple of times? I don't have Sonar.
In any case, using the latest CbB, I could start/stop MIDI projects, MIDI/audio projects and all-audio projects with the space bar.
None of these songs had VST effects or VST instruments. Windows 10.
What happens if you press the space bar and wait a few seconds (or more)?

I tried that...no difference. It's not a huge deal just...different. Thanks.

[Dana Elston]

3 hours ago, Kurre said:

To lose focus on a window happens sometimes.

Most likely a background process that steals the focus.

Keep an eye on the taskmanager and what the processes do when starting Sonar.

Also check the keyboard shortcut settings, just in case.

The spacebar works under normal conditions. It's just that upon opening a file I could just tap spacebar and it would start. Now I have to tap anywhere in the song, then I can use the spacebar as normal. Not a big deal just surprised by the change.

[Dana Elston]

5 hours ago, 57Gregy said:

So, you're talking about Cakewalk by Bandlab (CbB, Cakewalk), not Cakewalk Sonar (Sonar), the forum you're in?

Yeah I was talking about the new Sonar.

[OutrageProductions]

As @Kurre mentioned, watch to see if Sonar is a background or lesser function in Task Manager. If so, go to the executable for Sonar, RMB to properties and set to elevate priority.

Edited April 9 by OutrageProductions

[mettelus]

3 hours ago, Kurre said:

To lose focus on a window happens sometimes.

There are also a handful of VSTs that can take focus away from the DAW, so the spacebar (or any keyboard input) is not sent to them. Additionally, you can give keyboard inputs to the VST directly, which may be enabled (upper right of the VST window). Does this behavior still occur if no VST windows are open at all?

[Bristol_Jonesey]

Well the question is, if Sonar doesn't have the focus - what does?

[lapasoa]

20 hours ago, Dana Elston said:

Now I have to click on it before it will start. Anybody else?

It's the same thing to me.

[Kurre]

I have done a test with Sonar.

Opened a regular project from the filemenu. Let it load and then push the spacebar. It worked and started playing.

[lapasoa]

Preferences/customization/keyboard shortcuts/locate key/spacebar/apply/OK

Check save changes for the next session and yo

[Dana Elston]

On 4/11/2025 at 6:08 AM, lapasoa said:

Preferences/customization/keyboard shortcuts/locate key/spacebar/apply/OK

Check save changes for the next session and yo

I tried that but no change...

[Dana Elston]

On 4/9/2025 at 11:28 PM, Bristol_Jonesey said:

Well the question is, if Sonar doesn't have the focus - what does?

At the time I have nothing else open so nothing has the focus apparently.

[Dana Elston]

On 4/9/2025 at 11:22 AM, 57Gregy said:

So, you're talking about Cakewalk by Bandlab (CbB, Cakewalk), not Cakewalk Sonar (Sonar), the forum you're in?

I am talking about the new paid for version of Sonar.

[Dana Elston]

On 4/9/2025 at 5:36 PM, mettelus said:

There are also a handful of VSTs that can take focus away from the DAW, so the spacebar (or any keyboard input) is not sent to them. Additionally, you can give keyboard inputs to the VST directly, which may be enabled (upper right of the VST window). Does this behavior still occur if no VST windows are open at all?

Aahhh...I did a quick audio recording, no VST's, saved it, closed Sonar, reopened it and Voila that worked.  Thank you. 

[Dana Elston]

On 4/9/2025 at 11:30 AM, 57Gregy said:

Probably CbB, since there are no previous versions of Cakewalk Sonar. Sonar has been updated a couple of times? I don't have Sonar.
In any case, using the latest CbB, I could start/stop MIDI projects, MIDI/audio projects and all-audio projects with the space bar.
None of these songs had VST effects or VST instruments. Windows 10.
What happens if you press the space bar and wait a few seconds (or more)?

Nothing happens. In previous version I'd open my files I want to work on, press the spacebar and it would play. Now I need to click anywhere in the DAW and I'm good to go.

[mettelus]

4 hours ago, Dana Elston said:

Aahhh...I did a quick audio recording, no VST's, saved it, closed Sonar, reopened it and Voila that worked.  Thank you. 

Many VSTs have fixed this behavior (it is really on them, not Sonar, if this is what is occurring), but there are still ones out there that can intercept the SPACE bar if they are in focus.

[lapasoa]

I think bakers definitely solve this issue.