Cakewalk Sonar software

[Grolsch]

Hi, I'm new to the forum - I'm thinking of getting one of the Cakewalk Sonar software packages to record on my PC.

I'll want to add real guitars and vox. As my computer lacks a guitar-lead-style-hole, I guess I'll need an interface to do that.

Am I right in thinking I should buy an interface seperately, or do you get one thrown in with any of the Cakewalk Sonar packages? It's not clear from their website.

And are said interfaces easy to use? Is Cakewalk Sonar easy to use?

Any help much appreciated!

 

[sonicpsyops]

By interface do you mean a soundcard? If that's what you mean, No they don't come with the software, you have to buy those separately. I like RME myself. A bit pricey but worth every penny. Never had a problem with it.

I like Sonar and I didn't think the learning curve was all that steep but your mileage may vary. If you can afford it, get the Producer Edition because you get a lot of useful mixing/mastering plugins and synths and such. My only complaint about Sonar is their notation application is severely lacking. I'm classically trained and I like writing to score so, for me, this is a bit of a disappointment but If you're not going to use the MIDI functionality at all, you said real guitars and vox, then this flaw may not be of any concern to you.

 

[Atom Bomb]

Most if not all audio interfaces come with a trial or lite version of a DAW (your recording software)

If your lacking an soundcard/interface this would be the place to start before buying a Sonar.

Primarily because i am an Ex-sonar user. haha. I hated it. And i spent like 400 bucks on mine. Total disappointment.

So get your interface, try the daw that comes with it. IF you like it keep going. IF you don't i suggest you give reaper a try before spending big bucks on a major DAW.

I did and never looked back. I <3 Reaper.

 

[jjjtttggg]

I second the reaper recommendation! Before you buy an interface, though, find out what kind of sound card you have in your computer now. If it has a stereo line in (NOT "mic" in!!), you're in business. Download reaper and go buy a small mixer instead of an interface. Someday you may want better A/D and D/A conversion than your sound card has, but my guess is in that scenario, you'll want better than whatever outboard device you're likely to buy now anyway. A small mixer with built in mic pres and Reaper is a great place to start if you already have a decent sound card. A lot of folks here aren't too high on Behringer gear, but I've been very happy with the Beheringer Xenyx 1202 mixer straight into my PC's sound card. The 12 inputs is really 4 mono with mic pre and 4 stereo line in, but it's enough that everything is always wired up, which is really convenient. Some of the multi-in interfaces could do the same I guess, but a side benefit of the mixer is that it doubles for small scale live stuff I do from time o time. Even if you don't have a good sound card, I'd contemplate a soundcard and mixer over an interface module.

I've blathered on enough. Whaever you do for hardware, REAPER is haaaard to beat for software!!!!

J

 

[mcmetal]

Just do a little research and think about your individual needs and what you're planning to do now and in the future.An interface is a soundcard and will sound far more superior than most internal computer soundcards.If you plan on doing live recording of a full band than you may want an interface with at least 8 inputs.You may be able to get by with 4 inputs.

Myself,i just have a 2 input interface.I use drum loops so i'm not micing a kit.I'm just tracking bass,guitars and vocals at my leasure and don't need anything more than what i got.Someday i may upgrade.

My interface,an E-mu Tracker Pre came with a software bundle package.It came with Sonar 6 LE,Cubase 4LE,and Ableton Live light,Melodyne,and a few others.I liked Sonar the best,find it easy to use and that's what i use.I think i spent around $150 US for the interface package.You don't really need a mixer and your better off getting a decent set of monitors than a mixer.If you don't have mics than you'll need a few decent mics too.At least a sm57 or similar dynamic for guitars.

 

[Supercreep]

Longtime Sonar user. Few issues, but the ones I had were hardware-related. YMMV.

 

[Chili]

Previously, I had an old version of Cubase on WinXp. When I upgraded to Win7, I switched to Sonar 8 (64bit). I had many problems with my UAD plugs, so I loaded up Sonar 8 (32bit). That fixed my UAD problems, but I still had dropouts, Audio engine failures, lock-ups and a few other small, annoying issues. I eventually switched back to Cubase, upgraded to their latest version and everything is back to normal.

Can't say for sure, the issues were Sonar's fault, might have been a conflict with my interface drivers, something else loaded on the computer, who knows, but I'm not having those problems with Cubase.

and like Supercreep said, ymmv.

peace,

 

[Atom Bomb]

Longtime Sonar user. Few issues, but the ones I had were hardware-related. YMMV.

Weird. I thought you were on the Reaper Boat.

 

[mcmetal]

Previously, I had an old version of Cubase on WinXp. When I upgraded to Win7, I switched to Sonar 8 (64bit). I had many problems with my UAD plugs, so I loaded up Sonar 8 (32bit). That fixed my UAD problems, but I still had dropouts, Audio engine failures, lock-ups and a few other small, annoying issues. I eventually switched back to Cubase, upgraded to their latest version and everything is back to normal.

Can't say for sure, the issues were Sonar's fault, might have been a conflict with my interface drivers, something else loaded on the computer, who knows, but I'm not having those problems with Cubase.

and like Supercreep said, ymmv.

peace,

When i first got my interface i tried all 3 that came with the bundle.I didn't really like the layout with Ableton and i felt is was more geared towards midi.Cubase4 LE kept locking up my computer regardless of what i did.

The Sonar 6 LE seemed to worked the best once i got all the latency bugs worked out.I seen there was a lot of users listed in the cakewalk forum so i figured i might get some good advice if i neeeded any help.I still ocassionally get some drop outs and have learned the hard way as many here have to save your work and save it often.

I've only mixed one song so far and the reverbs are definately taxing my cpu usage.I read up on here about subgrouping busses to minimise the amount of reverb plug-ins so mixing should go a little smoother in the future.

 

[Grolsch]

Great, thanks for the info everyone.

Had no idea you can buy the interface first, and it comes with software. I like the look of the E-Mu Tracker Pre and the M-Audio Fast Track.

Am I right in thinking I could build backing tracks first (drums/bass) by programming with the software, then plugging the guitar into my PC via the interface to record the guitar parts? (Then doing the same with the vocals.)

Does the software then let you create different guitar sounds? Sorry if this sounds naive, I've only used a Boss BR8 before, where you plug guitar in and can simulate a load of guitar amp/effects settings - I'd like to record guitars in a similar way.

 

[Chili]

Great, thanks for the info everyone.

Had no idea you can buy the interface first, and it comes with software. I like the look of the E-Mu Tracker Pre and the M-Audio Fast Track.

Am I right in thinking I could build backing tracks first (drums/bass) by programming with the software, then plugging the guitar into my PC via the interface to record the guitar parts? (Then doing the same with the vocals.)

Does the software then let you create different guitar sounds? Sorry if this sounds naive, I've only used a Boss BR8 before, where you plug guitar in and can simulate a load of guitar amp/effects settings - I'd like to record guitars in a similar way.

Yeah, some DAW's come with VSTi's (virtual instruments) or you can purchase 3rd party. A popular one for drums is EZDrummer. There is also Addictive Drums and Steven Slate Drums. They are software that runs within your DAW as a plug-in.

Sonar comes with Guitar Rig which is an amp simulator for guitar. So you can just plug your guitar straight into your interface and run it through that!! You can probably find other guitar sims for purchase or maybe even free. Gotta search. You might find references here at HR by browsing or searching the forums.

have fun