How to Open Sonar Projects in Other DAWs

Whether you are heading into the studio, collaborating with a friend, or changing DAWs altogether, there may come a time when you need to open your Sonar projects in a different DAW. To get your files from one DAW to another, we recommend exporting your tracks as individual audio and MIDI files (commonly called stems). Audio and MIDI files are reliable, easy to work with, and easy to import into other DAWs available at Sweetwater.

Note: Exporting tracks as individual files is not the only way to transfer your project between DAWs. For advanced session transfer features, check if your DAW software supports .OMF importing. If so, consider using Sonar’s .OMF export feature.

Preparing to Export

Let’s start by creating a new folder to hold the files we will export from Sonar. Create a new folder and title it [Song Title] Stems. Now that your stems folder has been created, save a duplicate of your project file there. Working with a new project file will make sure no modifications are made to the original project. Follow these steps:

1. Open your original Sonar project. Click File, then Save As…
2. In the prompt, double click your new stems folder and enter a title for the new session. Then click Save.
3. Save and close the original session. Then open the new one.

If you want to use the same plug-in settings for instruments and FX in your new DAW, then you will need to save each plug-in’s settings as a preset. Each plug-in stores these settings in its own presets folder, so they’ll show up when you open it in another DAW.

Tip: Title your plug-in presets according to the track they’re on. This makes loading the right preset a lot easier.

Next, take some notes about your Sonar project. Create a text document titled [Song Title] Notes. While some notes are critical, others are subjective. Take into account the purpose and importance of the project, but also make sure to make notes on the essentials, like sample rate, bit depth, and tempo. Once you are satisfied with your project notes, you can start exporting tracks.

Export Audio Files

To get each audio track into another DAW, we will need to export them from Sonar as individual files. We will export two versions of each track: one with FX and automation and one without. Every project progresses differently, so use your best judgement when determining which one you want to use in the new DAW. When in doubt, export both types so if the need arises, you won’t need to repeat the export process.

Tip: Always export virtual instruments as audio and MIDI files. Retaining the audio file is crucial in the event you are unable to open that virtual instrument in the other DAW.

Within your [Session] Stems folder, create two more folders: Audio Pre and Audio Post. Store audio files with FX and automation in the Post folder and those without in the Pre folder. Then follow these steps to export your tracks into the respective folders.

1. Click File > Export > Audio…
2. In the file browser, locate and double click the corresponding folder for your exports.
3. Select the follow settings:
   1. Source Category: Tracks
   2. Channel Format: Follow Source
   3. In the Mix Enables area, check all FX, automation, bus, and mute/solo functions to be applied on your audio exports. (Or choose a preset in the Preset drop-down menu.)
4. For File Name, enter a title to be used as a prefix for your exported audio files. We recommend “PRE_” and “POST_“, but choose what works best for you. Then click Export.

Your exported audio files can now be found in their respective folders. These files are essentially “bounces” of each individual track and can now be imported into any other DAW. Repeat this process as needed to create different versions.

Export MIDI Files

Whether you are using just a few virtual instruments or have created the ultimate soft synth project, exporting your MIDI files will allow you to re-create the instrument tracks in another DAW. While some DAWs can export individual MIDI files, in Sonar we will instead save the entire session as a MIDI file (Type 1). This MIDI file will contain all of your MIDI tracks. When opened in another DAW, the file will be divide back into your individual tracks.

In your Stems folder, create a folder titled MIDI. Then follow these steps:

1. Click File > Save As…
2. Choose MIDI as the file type and double click the MIDI Then click Save.

In your other DAW, import the MIDI file we just exported. Your DAW will open the MIDI file and re-create each individual instrument/MIDI track. To turn these back into instruments, create an instrument track and insert the same instrument plug-in. Then load the instrument’s preset file.  If you are sending multiple MIDI tracks to the virtual instrument, assign them to the appropriate channels.

Import Files into DAW

Now that you’ve prepared and exported your files from Sonar, it’s time to bring them into another DAW. To do so, create a new session in the new DAW. Be sure to reference your notes and use the same sample rate, bit depth, and tempo. Then save it to your stems folder. Keep the project intact by organizing the session files, audio and MIDI folders, and notes together.

Once your session is ready, import the audio and MIDI files we exported from Sonar. Either drag and drop them into the new DAW or use its import function. Once your tracks are in the new DAW, add any other information from your notes, like marker and track titles.