What would I MISS if I switched to Sonar PE 5?

[TVD]

I think before you switch, you should just hold out for FL 6.. alot of new features, including new automation options, which sound like they will really address the issues you speak of...

one thing you miss will be all the cash youll spend on sonar, as the FL upgrade is free.

So, I would say wait a couple days and check out FL 6.

as for me, I tried Sonar, and one thing I missed was the ease of use. Sonar's piano roll and overall multitrack view is clunky and awkward. It takes forever to lay down parts that would be laid down in seconds with FL studio. I have tried every new Sonar demo that came out, hoping that it would be an all-in-one solution --- but in my workflow and opinion (which varies from person to person) -- it is a bloated piece of complicated crap.

Actually, Im quite convinced that the next update will address your automation concerns... with what are you having a problem with precisely?

THAT'S my story too!!!

[WilliamK]

ahh, one thing that you will miss is using VSTs without an external wrapper. It is quite annoying to have to convert your vsts with an external wrapper, sonar still doesnt have true VST compatilbility.

one thing you will GET is full MIDI though, FL studio doesnt have sysex support, and some ppl groan about that, but its something I for one could care less about.

Sonar 5 wrapper is transparent now.

When you add a new VST, it just sees it and registers right away, no need to run any external config prog anymore.

Wk

[WilliamK]

I just got my copy of SONAR 5 and I'm very impressed. Also, I may be wrong, but I think SONAR audio-engine has a better sound, and the mixer is 64 bits, resulting into a better "mix" too.

For me SONAR is more like a sequencer, while FL is pattern based. I KNOW I KNOW, you can also use FL as a sequencer, but not as intuitive as SONAR. At least is MHO....

Wk

[grooveartist]

I use FL Studio exclusively for composing but I like to master using Sonar. When I do this, I assign each intrument to a FL mixer channel and export FL channels each to their own wave file and apply reverbs, EQ, compression etc in the Sonar mix. I don't claim to be any kind of mastering expert, but I just prefer to do it this way as I seem to have difficulty balencing the mix in FL Studio to my liking. I also seem to have difficulty with some of the automation workflow in FL Studio ...but maybe it's just me not "getting it".

Does anyone else do this (or equivalent in other hosts besides Sonar)?

I'm also looking forward to FL 6.

Before I discovered FL, I tried doing everything in Sonar and was quite frustrated. FL improve my compositional workflow beyond measure, but I tend to sequence 100% and do very few live tracks (if any).

[WilliamK]

Before I discovered FL, I tried doing everything in Sonar and was quite frustrated. FL improve my compositional workflow beyond measure, but I tend to sequence 100% and do very few live tracks (if any).

Ahhh, good point. For sequenced stuff, FL is better indeed. But for live recording, Sonar would be a better choice.

Wk

[Hink]

I just got my copy of SONAR 5 and I'm very impressed. Also, I may be wrong, but I think SONAR audio-engine has a better sound, and the mixer is 64 bits, resulting into a better "mix" too.

For me SONAR is more like a sequencer, while FL is pattern based. I KNOW I KNOW, you can also use FL as a sequencer, but not as intuitive as SONAR. At least is MHO....

Wk

does your Sonar see wusik 2? I can't use wusik 1 in Sonar (not that it's a big dea, I use wusik in FL mostly)...

[WilliamK]

Yes, the latest version of Wusik works without problems with SONAR.

Wk

[Jason Brian Merrill]

ahh, one thing that you will miss is using VSTs without an external wrapper. It is quite annoying to have to convert your vsts with an external wrapper, sonar still doesnt have true VST compatilbility.

one thing you will GET is full MIDI though, FL studio doesnt have sysex support, and some ppl groan about that, but its something I for one could care less about.

Sonar 5 wrapper is transparent now.

When you add a new VST, it just sees it and registers right away, no need to run any external config prog anymore.

Wk

thats weird. I did.

and if so, why does it make direct x versions of all my vsts? now in FL I have 3 versions of each vst.

[aMUSEd]

ahh, one thing that you will miss is using VSTs without an external wrapper. It is quite annoying to have to convert your vsts with an external wrapper, sonar still doesnt have true VST compatilbility.

one thing you will GET is full MIDI though, FL studio doesnt have sysex support, and some ppl groan about that, but its something I for one could care less about.

Sonar 5 wrapper is transparent now.

When you add a new VST, it just sees it and registers right away, no need to run any external config prog anymore.

Wk

I thought it used VSTi's natively now and didn't need to wrap or register them or anything? Does this mean you still end up with a load of extra DX effects/synths written in the registry?

[Jason Brian Merrill]

ahh, one thing that you will miss is using VSTs without an external wrapper. It is quite annoying to have to convert your vsts with an external wrapper, sonar still doesnt have true VST compatilbility.

one thing you will GET is full MIDI though, FL studio doesnt have sysex support, and some ppl groan about that, but its something I for one could care less about.

Sonar 5 wrapper is transparent now.

When you add a new VST, it just sees it and registers right away, no need to run any external config prog anymore.

Wk

I thought it used VSTi's natively now and didn't need to wrap or register them or anything? Does this mean you still end up with a load of extra DX effects/synths written in the registry?

yes.

[aMUSEd]

That sounds less useful unless you have control over which ones it "sees" as with the previous wrapper.

[Stupid American Pig]

well, Jason, Im glad that you have found everything you need in FL studio. I dont feel like I have to justify any of the apps I use to anyone. They are all tools, and most of them can be used together, so what is with the constant X vs Y crap? ahh well.

[Hybernation]

That sounds less useful unless you have control over which ones it "sees" as with the previous wrapper.

Sonar 5's wrapper is pretty much the same as previous versions, only a little better integrated with the main program. as before you have COMPLETE control over what it sees. Compatibility has gotten better as well.

To answer the original question of the thread "Absolutely Nothing".

[Jason Brian Merrill]

well, Jason, Im glad that you have found everything you need in FL studio. I dont feel like I have to justify any of the apps I use to anyone. They are all tools, and most of them can be used together, so what is with the constant X vs Y crap? ahh well.

umm, i think its the point of the thread.

why so defensive?

I totally agree, all just tools, can be used together, some fits others needs.

I was just really let down by sonar5.

chill out

[Jason Brian Merrill]

...btw.. I also mention what FL lacks, perhaps you should read a bit more, but i will sum it up:

no automatic PDC
audio recording not as robust by any means
no sysex support