SONAR Project File Compatibility

The information in this article applies to:
  • SONAR (All SONAR Family Products)

SONAR 8 can load projects from any previous versions of SONAR, but projects that are saved in SONAR 8 cannot be re-opened in SONAR 1.x or SONAR 2.x. In case you need to open a pre-SONAR 8 project in an earlier version of SONAR, it is recommended that you always create a backup copy of the original project before you re-save the project in SONAR 8.

Project files saved in SONAR 8 will not open in SONAR 4 if they reference or include any of the following types of data or information:

  • 32-bit and 64-bit audio clips, including clips and tracks that have been frozen or rendered as 32-bit or 64-bit data.
  • Audio clips that are not all of the same bit depth

Project files saved in SONAR 8 will not open in SONAR 5 if they reference 64-bit audio clips.

SONAR 8 project files may contain new features that will be missing if opened in SONAR 5 and earlier, including:

  • ACT current context
  • All AudioSnap data
  • Automation Read Enable States
  • Clip lock properties
  • “Preserve mix between gang members” setting
  • Synth Rack Assignable Controls
  • Synth Rack Automation

SONAR 8 project files may contain new features that will be missing if opened in SONAR 4, including:

  • Clip effects and clip automation
  • Effects are removed
  • Automation envelopes are orphaned
  • Groups
  • SONAR 7 groups are preserved but will not be completely functional in SONAR 4
  • Controls may be removed from groups
  • Groups can’t be added to or changed
  • Group names will be truncated.
  • SONAR 4 may add extra groups to the project.

Re-saving a SONAR 8 project file in an older version may permanently remove the project data described above.

Template files saved from SONAR 8 will not load in earlier versions of SONAR. This is because of changes made to SONAR's view persistence code in SONAR 8.

SONAR 3 can load SONAR 1.x and SONAR 2.x projects. However, projects that are saved in SONAR 3 cannot be re-opened in earlier versions of SONAR.


Version: 1.02, Last Updated: 9/23/2009