Sonar 5, does it have anything Cubase SX doesn't have?

[djones]

I wonder, is Sonar very similar to Cubase SX, or does it offer other things which Cubase doesn't have?

Right now I use Cubase, but I'd like to have more midi options, like better and more diverse quantize, ramdomn options and a more inspirational way of working with midi tracks.

Also Vst automation, I'd like to see it work they way it works in Reason with it's synths.

Is Sonar my answer on this?

[ericj23]

more midi options than cubase !

what are you missing in cubase ?

[johnnytluxury]

Also Vst automation, I'd like to see it work they way it works in Reason with it's synths.

VST automation like in Reason? As in you move a controller and Sx records that controller? You can do that in SX but you have to enable the 'Write' on the midi track. Am i missing your point?

[fizbin]

more midi options than cubase !

what are you missing in cubase ?

Not exactly doubting you, but what MIDI options does Sonar have that Cubase doesn't?

fizbin

[ResonantOrder]

As far as I know, Sonar is the only host that has 'midi groove clips'. I can 'acidize' my midi sequences, then pitch them up or down using the drop menu for song key-that also applies to acidized audio in my project. I usually write the basis of a track in midi/acid clips, then pitch the song around to make sure it's exactly what I want. To be able to go from e, to f, to d, etc. in the flip of a drop menu is now so much a part of my work that I don't see how I could live without it. I'm so glad the new update is coming /whew!....

[dto]

Not exactly doubting you, but what MIDI options does Sonar have that Cubase doesn't?

Although it's easy to mis-read that, I don't think he's saying that Sonar necessarily has more MIDI options. He's expressing astonishment that someone would need more than Cubase already offers.

[brok landers]

I wonder, is Sonar very similar to Cubase SX, or does it offer other things which Cubase doesn't have?

rolands variphrase as a plugin onboard ... (well sort of) and some synths exclusively to cakewalk products ...
and no dongle ... just a serial ...

[Alan]

Vst automation

That's one area that was lacking,but the new 5.02 update(early April) is supposed to adress that,so we'll see. As far as midi comparisons,I really can't say since the last Steinberg product I owned was Nuendo 1.6 and I haven't used it in ages and I'm sure Cubase was/is ahead of Nuendo in that regard anyway,especially now. As mentioned before,the Midi Groove clips is something I can't live without,and since 5.0 you can move/slide as many simultaneously as you need to. I also like multiple lanes in one track for midi(and audio)loop overdubs,and I like the new midi plugins overhaul. After that I'd have to know Cubase more for a compaarison.

[daverich]

as someone who's used sonar for years and has just bought SX only to be back using sonar within 3 days - here's what I found was missing.

Draggable FX,
Comping to the standard that's available in sonar
No routing limitations
Groove clips
POWr dither
track presets (ok they are *kinda* there, but they're no where near as user friendly and advanced)
Clip envelopes - draggable quick-fades

That's just off the top of my head.

IMO cubase isn't worth changing for - sonar is much quicker, much more feature rich and much more usable. The included effects in cubase are a joke also.

Kind regards

Dave Rich

[SonicBreeze]

I like cakewalk Sonitus/Ultrafunk effects a lot. but IMO Cubase has better GUI and workflow.

[stash98]

What are the routing limitations in Cubase? I guess you are talking about how you can't route groups backwards? I got burnt by that in my first mix session ever, but I have never had an issue since I got used to it.

I dont really find Sonar to be that much more "feature-rich" if you like to use a lot of MIDI. for MIDI cubase is much better then about anything besides Logic.

I think Dave Rich may be a little biased. He has used Sonar for a very long time and then used Cubase for 3 days. I really don't think there is much value from a post like that when it is obviously biased and uninformed.

Now if it came to a Sonar only question, I think dave would definitely have a lot of great info to share.

[ravasb]

Cubase SX was my first serious sequencer. There was a lot about it that I liked. I bypassed SX2 because that seemed more of an advanced bugfix than an upgrade worth paying for. SX3 intrigued me with a lot of new functions. Nevertheless, I switched to Sonar. I have been very happy with my choice.

Before I say why I switched, I want to be clear that both programs are excellent. There are some differences in work flow and usability, but I think they even out. You can make great music with either one.

Here is why I switched.

1-I sense that cakewalk is now a more innovative company than Steinberg. I think its updates and upgrades will be more interesting.

2-My interactions with cakewalk have been far friendlier and helpful than my attempts to get help from steinberg.

3-Sonar comes with instruments that I would consider buying separately. I find Cubase's instruments to be serviceable while composing, but there is nothing that I would buy.

4-The dreaded dongle. I like to work on my laptop in the field and my desktop in the studio. I hate moving around a fragile dongle whose breakage would cause me a great deal of headaches.

I do not think you can go wrong with either product, but my all around satisfaction with Sonar is higher than with Cubase. Steinberg would have to go through a radical change in attitude and approach to innovation for me to go back.