So is it worth it (SONAR)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kgbjamin
  • Start date Start date
K

kgbjamin

New member
Ok, it's been a couple of weeks since some of you lucky guys have had SONAR in your posession. Unfortunately some of us didn't have the cash to buy an advanced copy. I've been saving my pennies but I'm always skeptical when it comes to new software because of software glitches and product unfamiliarity. The question is for you new SONAR users, is cakewalk's latest product worth my hard earned cheddar? Or should I just stick with what I've got. I've been using acid pro 2.0 and also have tinkered with cakewalk 7.0 a bit. Now I'm ready to move to a more sophisticated mixing enviorment within my budget. I realize this is an opinionated question but you guys may help me make an important decision regarding my next move in home recording. Trust me, your comments on this matter will be greatly appreciated by others like me so be honest!!!
 
I think it is definitly worth it. The amount of stuff you can do with it is unreal, plus it hasn't crashed on me once (unlike PA9).
 
Thanks Carter, I haven't really heard much feedback negative or positive on the new program. Few more comments like yours and I may have to go dig in my savings account, this is a plus.
 
sonar

hi

from what I hear from friends, it is something to go for! I have been using CW9 in conjunction w. various wave editors, because CW jsut couldn't do some of the stuff I wanted to do w audio, but SONAR looks really good. I think it also may be a fair deal more complex than CW, and I might need to buy a 21" monitor to cope with all the stuff that is on the main screen!

if I had the cash, I would give it a go!

NS
 
Finally got it yesterday. It installed painlessly, profiled my audio hardware (a Delta 66 and a SB Live) just fine. The new Track view is a great improvement. The groove looping is great. Of course I've only lived with it for about two hours now but here's my basic take:

If you already are familar with Pro Audio 9, you will quickly adapt to the interface changes and quickly smile at the prospect of far less view-switching to work on edits.

Many things are still the same and it will mostly be familar. The significant new features will take a little time to dig out and learn, but it mostly seems very sensible. Using DXi synths is a little weird but less so that was using the Session Drummer tool (haven't checked to see if that still works the same way in SONAR). The ability to do groove looping is a godsend.

If you have never used Cakewalk and are considering it, it's no harder, and possibly easier, to learn than Pro Audio 9. I find the interface very sensible and easy to learn.
 
Sounds pretty good

It sounds like SONAR has a lot to offer. I was talking to a friend of mine today and he said that Sound Foundry is about to release Acid Pro 3.0. I know no matter what you get or when you get it there will always be something new coming out right behind it, this seems to go hand and hand with technological advance. But you guys have been a lot of help and I think I can now purchase a copy of SONAR with some confidence.
Thanks for you inputs
 
For my 2 cents... I've used Cake forever since 2.0 Sonar is a different look but enough works the same that you should have no trouble. The soft synth stuff is great and I also have had no problems with crashes or anything.
 
For CWPA9 users, maybe .. maybe not.

Start here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SR/SRvsPA.html

Click through the feature comparisons. While Sonar does offer some additional plug-ins out of the box and definitely some new features, not everyone will benefit. For myself, where I've purchased third party plug-ins that are probably going to be better than what Sonar includes, and who works primarily with digital audio and what MIDI I do I play the parts in with a MIDI keyboard and use soundfonts, Sonar doesn't offer a compelling upgrade path.

I think for someone who was more into the looping/house music scene and wanted something more integrated than running multiple audio apps, Sonar would be a great product.

<--Will-->
 
Midi interface?

So WWillis, have you had problems syncing up to SONAR with external software or midi devices? I thought SONAR supported this application just like other CW products have?
 
I don't have Sonar, I'm using CWPA 9 still. My post was referring to the feature comparisons as a way of determining if Sonar is a compelling upgrade to you individually.

<--Will-->
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top