HS 2004 XL or Sonar 3 producer

[cabbage]

Hey now before evryone starts saying....of course producer is better than XL.....here is my situation.

I have only played around for a few hours on basic (n-track, quartz) music recording software, so will it be hard for me to jump straight into Sonar??
Also, i have noticed that people recording their music talk about things like Midi interface/ pre amp etc which i do not understand. I am guessing that this is all extra equiptment.

Would it be an acceptable idea (or even possible??) to buy sonar, plug a mic in and record voc,guitar etc. The mix and EQ FX to make a good sounding recording. Now....if i were to do the previous would it be better to get sonar or HS 2004 XL??????
Thanks,
C

[James Argo]

First of all, welcome to the board!

Now to the questions...

I have only played around for a few hours on basic (n-track, quartz) music recording software, so will it be hard for me to jump straight into Sonar??

Sonar is rather complex system compared to those. You must first understand WHY would you need SONAR when you actualy only need Home Studio XL. In other words, it realy deppends on how much you love to read the 700 pages manual...

Also, i have noticed that people recording their music talk about things like Midi interface/ pre amp etc which i do not understand. I am guessing that this is all extra equiptment.

Yes they are And by the way you explain, I realy suggest HS 2004 XL over SONAR for you.... You can upgrade later when you think you need to. Believe me, save your bucks for gears is better for now!

Would it be an acceptable idea (or even possible??) to buy sonar, plug a mic in and record voc,guitar etc. The mix and EQ FX to make a good sounding recording

Yes, it is a good idea... but ain't that all we wish? It's not as simple as that in the real world, buddy. Good sounding recording is easier to talk than to get... That's why we call it an art...

For now, just download their demos, and try them out. Meanwhile, read this BBS will boost your knowledge alot. And hope you'll get there in no time

Good luck!


Jaymz

[cabbage]

Hey thanks for the input.

Ummmmm, does that mean that it is not possible just to plug and play with Sonar??? and then as i get more money upgrade to the extra equiptment????

and, would it be that hard just to slowly learn with Sonar. Its just that i feel like i would rather get a better system now so that i dont have to upgrade and spend more money later. Is there much of a help service in the program, or is it mainly just the booklet????

Does anyone have a link to the Sonar 3 Producer demo??or similar??

[moskus]

Originally posted by cabbage
Ummmmm, does that mean that it is not possible just to plug and play with Sonar??? and then as i get more money upgrade to the extra equiptment????

You can do that if you have a decent soundcard (Sonar is quite picky about the soundcards, they must have good drivers!). But I wouldn't do that if I were you.

I would first of all get some decent equipment if I was serious about recording. You can of course record with a multimedia-mic and a mobo soundcard, but don't expect it to sound like Nirvana (the place, not the band ).

You can download the Sonar Demo here. It's not very difficult to just start with, but when you buy the manual you get (as James said) a BIG manual, around 700 pages, to help you out.

I would think it was pretty stupid to shell out $710 for a program you have no idea how to use and no real equipment to use with it. HomeStudio is $129 and much closer your budget for a music program, I would believe.

[cabbage]

Hey thanks Moskus,

What equiptment are you saying i should get (Standard equiptment ) when you say get some 'decent equiptment'??

Umm, and one of the main reasons i was also looking into sonar is because i found a place where i could get it for $360 instead of the huge price it was previously!! and XL was $110 at this place too. So budget wise i was thinking of taking up the offer now while it lasts.

What i am mainly looking for was a program where i can record good voc and guitar audio and then have a really good program to have realistic drum, synth etc that i could add to it. I really just want to have clear recordings and realistic samples and FX.
And then possibly when i find the right musicians, i could use the same program(without buying a new one) to make CLEAR sounding Demo CD's to sell at gigs.

The N-track and Quartz that i have used before where easy to use but the sounds and FX sounded very electronic and unrealistic. Also recording audio was very scratchy and i could not manipulate the sounds of MIDI audio or FX to get the right depth or feel that i needed.
I spose i should have said all this to start off with...but anyway, now that its said, what do you think or recomend.
Thanks

[moskus]

Originally posted by cabbage
Hey thanks Moskus,

What equiptment are you saying i should get (Standard equiptment ) when you say get some 'decent equiptment'??

Maybe you should look for a quality soundcard, perhaps with a mic. preamp? A peak at M-Audios webpage might be in order (www.m-audio.com). I won't start giving out tips on what mics to buy in the US, maybe a visit to the Microphone forum is in order.

And just hold on with the "Pro Sound". No program as a button that says "Create Pro Sound". You need to learn how to do it yourself. Creating that "pro sound" is going to cost you aswell...


But good luck! You know where to find us.