Its between Sonar 4 and Pro Tools

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Relakst

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My choices, as I see them right now, are either the PT 002 Rack or Sonar 4/Motu828Mk2.

I have this preconceived notion that the 002R is going to be easier to set up and use for any given project because of its dedicated interface.

On the other hand I think Sonar 4 will be easier for editing.

Would you care to comment? (let'er rip)
 
If you want protools, get the 002R... If you don't, then get Sonar. I would get Sonar, it's really not very hard to set up, and you end up with a much more flexible recording package.

Download the Sonar 4 demo from www.cakewalk.com and try it out with just your computer's built in sound card to get a feel for the program, then look at protools and go "yuck" :D
 
As far as the "yuck" factor goes, I'd venture to say that PT's clean, streamlined interface beats Sonar's clunky, Windows 3.1-esque facade hands down (I own both).

As far as actual recording goes, I think you'll be happy with either. Personally, I get more done in PT, mostly because the key commands make more sense. But then again, Sonar is no slouch, and I've gotten quite a bit done with it, too -- no complaints.

The only thing that I would worry about with ProTools is the voice limitation. You only get 32 voices in LE (meaning 32 mono tracks or 16 stereo tracks, or some combination of the two), and for some people that might not be enough. 32 tracks should be enough for most music mixes, but I have run into problems when doing sound for video, using lots of sound effects on different tracks and such. Sonar (IIRC) gives you an unlimited number of tracks to work with.

Aside from that, you just have to decide which hardware you want to use. The 002R is pretty nice, and so is the 828. I believe you can use PT hardware as an interface for other software too, so you're not stuck using Pro Tools forever (correct me if I'm wrong), so I'm not sure what MichaelM means by saying Sonar is "much more flexible." I'm not personally aware of anything significant that Sonar can do that PTLE can't (aside from 5.1 mixing which is Producer-only)...

So yeah, either way is good, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over having to choose between two very capable recording packages.
 
Thanks for taking the time to answer!

I'm still on the fence, though. I suppose if I could run Sonar inside of Pro Tools, maybe my choice would be made. If you did that, though, would you then only be able to achieve 32 voices on Sonar? Would this not REALLY tax your CPU power?

Dale
 
I tried 40 mono + 7 stereo audio tracks, 24bit/48kHz, average 3 plugin instance per track, plus 3 aux beside master. And yeah, that includes several heavy Waves on the bus. CPU is ~70%. NEVER dropout!

Delta 1010LT, latency set to 512 samples run on P4 1,8GHz - 1GB DDR.


SONAR 4 rocks!

;)
Jaymz
 
If your running a commercial studio Pro Tools is almost a MUST....if not...try the demos of each(in PT case the place you order the 002r make sure they have a good return policy) and see which you like better. You should be able to use the 002r with Sonar 4 as well
 
something cool said:
As far as the "yuck" factor goes, I'd venture to say that PT's clean, streamlined interface beats Sonar's clunky, Windows 3.1-esque facade hands down (I own both).

.
Click to expand...

Which sonar version do you have? cuz since version 3 Sonar looks extremely OSUX like...
 
Teacher said:
Which sonar version do you have? cuz since version 3 Sonar looks extremely OSUX like...
Click to expand...
I run Sonar 3 Studio, and I've played around in Sonar 4 which looks almost exactly the same. There's definately nothing OSX-like about its appearance. The ugly toolbars at the top and menu windows all scream "designed for Windows computers." If anything is OSX-like, it's Pro Tools, with it's white background, almost non-existent 'toolbar', and general lack of clutter.

But really that's not the point, since what goes in and comes out is, for all intents and purposes, the same. It's really about which software lets you be more productive, looks aside.
 
Relakst said:
Thanks for taking the time to answer!

I'm still on the fence, though. I suppose if I could run Sonar inside of Pro Tools, maybe my choice would be made. If you did that, though, would you then only be able to achieve 32 voices on Sonar? Would this not REALLY tax your CPU power?

Dale
Click to expand...
To clarify, you would be running Sonar alone, only using the 002r as your interface (i.e. instead of an M-Audio card or the 828, etc.). Since you'd only be using the 002r as an interface, and not dealing with the PT software, you would still be able to have unlimited voices by using Sonar.

And doubleplusgood, the 002r comes with the Pro Tools software. If you give it a whirl for a few days or so you might just discover that you really like it, and skip out on spending the extra $$$ for Sonar anyway. As I said before, aside from the voices, Sonar doesn't really offer much of anything significant that Pro Tools doesn't (especially not for what Cakewalk is charging for it...). You could use the extra ~$500 to buy a couple decent mics, or some entry-level monitors, or some more RAM, or...... you get the picture.

But, as always, try before you buy (or as Teacher said, buy the 002r from a place with a good return policy). And again I don't think you can go wrong either way.
 
something cool said:
To clarify, you would be running Sonar alone, only using the 002r as your interface (i.e. instead of an M-Audio card or the 828, etc.). Since you'd only be using the 002r as an interface, and not dealing with the PT software, you would still be able to have unlimited voices by using Sonar...
Click to expand...

Ha! You are very intuitive, Mr. Cool. That was my next question! So I gather I would not have to open PT to be able to use the 002R interface (should I have this uncontrolable need to buy Sonar later). Very helpful, indeed! PT002 is starting to sound like a good way to go.
 
Be aware that if you go with the 002 you will not be able to upgrade your studio by adding more I/O later- you're stuck with the 18 in/out that the 002 has. Not so with Sonar and whatever other hardware you might use with it.

Also, the the Digi drivers for using their hardware with other programs usually have higher latency than other devices that are designed to be used with other programs. (shrug) I'd only go with Pro Tools if:

a) You need compatibility with larger studio where Pro Tools is fairly common.
b) You need simple setup
c) You are CERTAIN your computer can run it.

-C
 
something cool said:
As far as the "yuck" factor goes, I'd venture to say that PT's clean, streamlined interface beats Sonar's clunky, Windows 3.1-esque facade hands down (I own both).
Click to expand...

The latest versions of Sonar hardly look anything like a Windows program, but hey I'm used to the workflow in Cakewalk products. But yeah I'm wasn't trying to start yet another Mac vs Windows arguement...

I would go Sonar, like Chris said you'll end up with much more flexibility later on. They both can do the job though.
 
I am unable to try the demos of these programs because my present computers are not compatible. So I have been watching the demo videos available from Digi and Sonar. (I am dedicating a new computer to the winning program)

Sonar appears to be MUCH easier to edit and tweek and mold which might add huge to the "fun" factor. (which is what this project is all about). I would assume Digi would have put together the best video info possible to sell their product and yet it doesn't even come close to what I saw of Sonar.

I am now feeling heavily swayed to Sonar and unless someone has some significant info showing ease of editing in Pro Tools... GOING.........GOING.............
 
PT editting is wicked fast and easy. But I don't know Sonar, so it might be just as good there. But see my post above- and my guess is that Sonar is the better choice for you.

What hardware are you using again?
-C
 
I love my Digi 01 to death and I couldn't imagine anything than being a total whore for Pro Tools. It was so easy almost out of the box but I have one huge gripe- my Digi 01 is already obsolete because they aren't supporting it. Pro Tools is just starting to focus on Midi and I can't upgrade anymore. That pisses me off.
 
Apparently there is a trade-in program with Digi. I had looked at that because I like to look at things in a "worst case scenario" way. I had read rumours that the 002 would be replaced within 16 months or so. So I wanted to see how I could deal with that.

Anyways, I have beating my head with a bat over this decision going full circle about 5 times. I just want to make music already. My perception is that I will have more fun with Sonar. Ideally I would buy both, but funds are not unlimited. I might rethink this a few years down the road.

Thanks for your opinions. I am everso thankfull for this forum and its learned members.

Now, what is the kick-assest computer I could build for my Sonar4?

Dale
 
Relakst said:
Apparently there is a trade-in program with Digi. I had looked at that because I like to look at things in a "worst case scenario" way. I had read rumours that the 002 would be replaced within 16 months or so. So I wanted to see how I could deal with that.

Anyways, I have beating my head with a bat over this decision going full circle about 5 times. I just want to make music already. My perception is that I will have more fun with Sonar. Ideally I would buy both, but funds are not unlimited. I might rethink this a few years down the road.

Thanks for your opinions. I am everso thankfull for this forum and its learned members.

Now, what is the kick-assest computer I could build for my Sonar4?

Dale
Click to expand...

I have read about that, but it still kind of cheeses me off that it hasn't been out for that long and already I have to pay to be able to upgrade. I guess this is what Mac owner feels like.
 
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