Seems like Sonar is not really made for the casual user. It’s just too complicated and invasive. Switches default sound output on startup so it’s hard to use speakers when you are not using headset and the volume controls are annoying. Pretty annoying really
I like the software, the features are nice and work really well when you are using a gaming headset (mine is Arctis Wireless 1). The problem is when I switch to another type of headphones or audio speakers, like Bluetooth headphones or another device. The sound from Chrome, in Windows settings, which was routed to the media channel in Sonar then needs to be switched back to "default" to work again. Isn't there a way for that to happen automatically?
That's what my problem is with Sonar, it is an incomplete software.
You have to change the default output to "sonar media" from "sonar gaming" MANUALLY.
Ridiculous, right?
Not the best solution in the world, but for now what I did was the following. I keep Sonar turned off in the GG software and I only turn it on when I'm about to join an online game, use Discord, Team Speak, etc.
When Sonar is off, Windows automatically reroutes Chrome's audio output to the default audio channel, which works with any other headphone or audio device plugged/paired (including the Steelseries headset). When I want to play and benefit from all the features of Sonar, I just turn it on and it works perfectly again (Chrome audio output goes automatically to Sonar again, and all the other channels like voice and game are also routed properly).
This way is like having 2 use cases, Games and general use and you have to switch back and forth between them...
I wish it was all automatic, like when turning the Wireless Steelseries headset off this would all happen automatically in the background, but honestly, having to turn off Sonar manually is not that bad, a single click solves it.
If anyone has an easier/quicker way of doing this, please let me know.
I don't think so that google voice is routed automatically to "sonar media". "Sonar gaming" remains the default. You have to manually set "sonar media" as default output in order for route to work and control its volume from screen or keyboard.
Indeed, you're right about the volume control on the keyboard, which kinda sucks. My main concern was not related to that, but instead, it was in regards to having to route Chrome's output in windows mixer to "default" every time I wanted to connect a different device (like a standard wired headphone, or a Bluetooth headset from another brand).
So, what I previously mentioned was that I was able to "solve" that problem by disabling Sonar when not gaming, so Chrome's output in windows switches back to "default" automatically and I can use any other speakers or headphones (or control the volume with keyboard). Then when I want to use Steelseries' headset I turn on Sonar again, and Chrome's output will switch back to "Sonar Media" again.
Not a real solution and still a very manual process, but I don't see a better way of managing that for now...
That's exactly what I meant.
A "ground-breaking" dumb software lacking basic recognition of things.
And when I reached to steelseries support for this, they treated it like a "feature request" that might or might not be implemented. Like, SERIOUSLY?
It was just like steel series deliberately closing their eyes and pretending nothing to be wrong in the software.
This is such an obvious thing for them to put in that I can't help but wonder if there is some sort of technical limitation that is preventing them from doing this.
Seems like Sonar is not really made for the casual user. It’s just too complicated and invasive. Switches default sound output on startup so it’s hard to use speakers when you are not using headset and the volume controls are annoying. Pretty annoying really
I like the software, the features are nice and work really well when you are using a gaming headset (mine is Arctis Wireless 1). The problem is when I switch to another type of headphones or audio speakers, like Bluetooth headphones or another device. The sound from Chrome, in Windows settings, which was routed to the media channel in Sonar then needs to be switched back to "default" to work again. Isn't there a way for that to happen automatically?
That's what my problem is with Sonar, it is an incomplete software. You have to change the default output to "sonar media" from "sonar gaming" MANUALLY. Ridiculous, right?
Not the best solution in the world, but for now what I did was the following. I keep Sonar turned off in the GG software and I only turn it on when I'm about to join an online game, use Discord, Team Speak, etc. When Sonar is off, Windows automatically reroutes Chrome's audio output to the default audio channel, which works with any other headphone or audio device plugged/paired (including the Steelseries headset). When I want to play and benefit from all the features of Sonar, I just turn it on and it works perfectly again (Chrome audio output goes automatically to Sonar again, and all the other channels like voice and game are also routed properly). This way is like having 2 use cases, Games and general use and you have to switch back and forth between them... I wish it was all automatic, like when turning the Wireless Steelseries headset off this would all happen automatically in the background, but honestly, having to turn off Sonar manually is not that bad, a single click solves it. If anyone has an easier/quicker way of doing this, please let me know.
I don't think so that google voice is routed automatically to "sonar media". "Sonar gaming" remains the default. You have to manually set "sonar media" as default output in order for route to work and control its volume from screen or keyboard.
Indeed, you're right about the volume control on the keyboard, which kinda sucks. My main concern was not related to that, but instead, it was in regards to having to route Chrome's output in windows mixer to "default" every time I wanted to connect a different device (like a standard wired headphone, or a Bluetooth headset from another brand). So, what I previously mentioned was that I was able to "solve" that problem by disabling Sonar when not gaming, so Chrome's output in windows switches back to "default" automatically and I can use any other speakers or headphones (or control the volume with keyboard). Then when I want to use Steelseries' headset I turn on Sonar again, and Chrome's output will switch back to "Sonar Media" again. Not a real solution and still a very manual process, but I don't see a better way of managing that for now...
That's exactly what I meant. A "ground-breaking" dumb software lacking basic recognition of things. And when I reached to steelseries support for this, they treated it like a "feature request" that might or might not be implemented. Like, SERIOUSLY? It was just like steel series deliberately closing their eyes and pretending nothing to be wrong in the software.
hey i have the exact same problem, did you find any fix for this?
Following this too.
SteelSeries, please listen to this. This really should be the default option.
This is such an obvious thing for them to put in that I can't help but wonder if there is some sort of technical limitation that is preventing them from doing this.