Can't import simple wav file into new cakewalk sonar free ver

[LNovik@aol.com]

I switched to Sonar free version about a week ago. Prior to that, I was easily able to bring in a wav file into my project. Today, I again tried. I did it with the regular "import" option from the File pull down menu. And then I tried it by simply dragging the wav file into a free audio track at the bottom of my other tracks. I actually WAS able to very easily do it. However, when I did this, every track above it was moved over to the right. So, specifically, I tried to place this approx 8 min wav file at about the 10th measure. When I started to listen, I heard the original project playing and then everything got slient. I then started to hear the sounds from the imported file. But every other track--and there were more than 50 of them, got moved until the point on the timeline where the imported wav file ended. 

Luckily, I was able to move all my files back into their correct position by hitting the undo button. But, of course, I can't import my wav file.

I was thinking that perhaps the file was a different bit or sample rate. But I have to been able to import similar files until a week ago.

Could this be a shortcoming of the new free Sonar? 

Lastly, is there a new forum to post questions to for Cakewalk Sonar users?

Thanks very much for your time.

[tparker24]

Do you perhaps have Ripple Edit selected?  If so, that could explain it.

[Bass Guitar]

Yep the good old Ripple Edit gotcha. 
 

Yes it’s pretty obvious that there is a Sonar sub forum. Browse back to the Main page of the forum. 

[Amberwolf]

It's probably ripple edit being turned on.

 

However, your post title is not correct for the problem you have.

Your title says you can't import the file.  

That's wrong--you *can* import the file; your post says that you did so.

 

The problem is that when you import hte file, your project from the point the clip is inserted  moves later in time (presumably to the end of that file's time).

That is what your thread title should be saying.  

 

If you ask the wrong question, you may get the wrong help, so asking the right question is important. 

Edited October 23 by Amberwolf

[LNovik@aol.com]

Thank you, all. After reading your replies, it was a while before I found the ripple edit button, but that fixed it.

To respond to your excellent point, Amberwolf, I do appreciate the importance of describing the problem I am having accurately. However, I don't think I have a much lingo as you guys do. So, to describe my problem on the subject line in a sentence seemed a bit too steep for me. Therefore, I just labeled it as a problem with importing.  At least, that's what I thought i said. Indeed, I did say,  "can't import." I'll try to be more specific next time. And I am serious when i say this. I really appreciate the support I get from the individuals who monitor this site.

Thanks again.

Though nobody answered my question about whether I keep asking questions on this site or if there is a newer one. I guess I'll find out as I go along.

[57Gregy]

6 hours ago, LNovik@aol.com said:

Though nobody answered my question about whether I keep asking questions on this site or if there is a newer one.

 

19 hours ago, Bass Guitar said:

there is a Sonar sub forum. Browse back to the Main page of the forum.

It's all the way at the top.

[mettelus]

6 hours ago, LNovik@aol.com said:

I do appreciate the importance of describing the problem I am having accurately. However, I don't think I have a much lingo as you guys do

Don't get wrapped around the wheel on this, just focus on describing the issue as much as you can (especially the OP title... you can also edit the OP to change the title as needed). As long as what is occurring is clear, folks will often respond with the terminology you need and even bold face that as @tparker24 did above. Once you have that, it helps you to search things on your own. It is all part of the learning process. What wraps us around the wheel is when OP has so little detail it could be a dozen things... and then the OP never returns!

[Chaps]

6 hours ago, LNovik@aol.com said:

However, I don't think I have a much lingo as you guys do. So, to describe my problem on the subject line in a sentence seemed a bit too steep for me.

 

The best resource for learning Cakewalk Sonar terminology, and what things are and how they work, is the Cakewalk Sonar Reference Guide which can be viewed online or downloaded, from a link at the top of the forum. It is a most valuable aid for Cakewalk users from beginning to advanced.

[Bass Guitar]

Im so old that I have already paid for my tombstone. I have no problem finding things on the internet. I just Google the questions. That bloody stupid AI always has an answer. right or wrong. 
But it never can tell me where the heck I left the car keys!! 
But it seems to know where I left my stupid iPhone. I don’t care about my phone but I do need to know where my keys are! 

But the AI doesn’t know anything about why projects go bonkers if you turn on Ripple Edit and then forget you did. 
A popular feature request was that the Ripple Edit has a RED light that flashed and is the size of a beer cap! 

But no  With the new Sonar it actually has shrunk to the size of a pin head. Geeze

 

Edited October 24 by Bass Guitar

[mettelus]

1 hour ago, Bass Guitar said:

A popular feature request was that the Ripple Edit has a RED light that flashed and is the size of a beer cap! 

Yeah, this has taken up the place of folks accidentally hitting O and enabling offset in the past... so many posts on that one until the keybinding was removed. A red halo effect around the entire GUI like when you are near death in a video game would be obvious too!

Edited October 24 by mettelus

[Starship Krupa]

On 10/23/2025 at 6:16 PM, Bass Guitar said:

A popular feature request was that the Ripple Edit has a RED light that flashed and is the size of a beer cap!

Ripple Edit should output a real time MIDI event every .5 seconds while it is engaged. This would allow the user to route it to a soft synth playing a loud obnoxious screech or whatever, as well as route it to an external MIDI controlled relay switch connected to a powerful xenon strobe light.

The only problem I can think of with this is that after emerging from a complex editing operation, it wouldn't help me remember why the noise and flashing were happening.

[Amberwolf]

1 hour ago, Starship Krupa said:

The only problem I can think of with this is that after emerging from a complex editing operation, it wouldn't help me remember why the noise and flashing were happening.

Maybe you need a verbal alert:

BLACK......ALERT...RIPPLE EDIT ON...PROJECT DESTRUCTION IMMINENT......BLACK......ALERT...RIPPLE EDIT ON...PROJECT DESTRUCTION IMMINENT...BLACK......ALERT...RIPPLE EDIT ON...PROJECT DESTRUCTION IMMINENT...

😆