thinking of switching to Cubase Sx3 from Sonar 3 Producer

[SJ_Digriz]

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with SX, that's what I use. I still think that Cubase is the best host around from a recording/traditional mixing standpoint. There are other hosts that provide different functionality, like Live or Acid, that are better at a specific type of host functionality.

There will be things where you will say "HEY, I could do .... in one click in Sonar. Why can't I do that in SX?" Followed by a bunch of pointless rant posts either here or on Cubase.net.

Make sure you know WHY you are switching and that you know that Cubase resolves those issues. As long as you do that, Cubase will be a rock solid performer for you. If you are switching only because you are unhappy with Sonar, then you only know half of what you need to know to switch.

[rp314]

The grass is NOT greener. If you hate it, make sure you know WHY. There are going to be many things that you won't like about Cubase MIDI. If you use external synths, it is actually getting worse version by version instead of better. Just prepared to gain a lot, but lose a lot as well.

The best advice in this thread, IMHO. Besides, this is not a cost-free switch. When you factor in the price of the alternative software switching from Cubase to Sonar, or the other way around, is going to take up resources that may well be better spent on a new soundcard, more memory and so on.

This is why it's so important to try to get acquainted with these programs before buying them by either using them on someone else's equipment or downloading demos.

[StrangeCat]

when I get stuff set up I'll post my thoughts on my switch.
I still have ton of dang music projects that have to be finished in Sonar in multiple styles. I have to get another external hd too. But hey no sweat I'll post what i think of Cubse SX3, I am sure many people will think I should have upgraded to Sonar 5...but...I have my reasons why I became a Cubase Guy

[stale bread]

.I have my reasons why I became a Cubase Guy

i see warning lights, and the longing to belong.

[JerGoertz]

The grass is NOT greener. If you hate it, make sure you know WHY. There are going to be many things that you won't like about Cubase MIDI. If you use external synths, it is actually getting worse version by version instead of better. Just prepared to gain a lot, but lose a lot as well.

The best advice in this thread, IMHO. Besides, this is not a cost-free switch. When you factor in the price of the alternative software switching from Cubase to Sonar, or the other way around, is going to take up resources that may well be better spent on a new soundcard, more memory and so on.

This is why it's so important to try to get acquainted with these programs before buying them by either using them on someone else's equipment or downloading demos.

I agree that StrangeCat should try before buying, although the "6 of one and half-a-dozen of the other" argument may not hold, which is why he should demo. The grass may indeed be greener (for him).

I've owned Sonar and Cubase pretty much concurrently (started at Sonar 2 (now at 4PE) and Cubase 1 (now at 3SX)) and recently switched over from doing almost everything in Sonar to almost everything in Cubase, and the experience was great for me. The learning curve for Cubase was higher than what I remember for Sonar, but once I got over "the hump" things have just seemed to click 'n flow for me in Cubase. I too had the overall impression of some stuff with Sonar being "awkward".

In my experience, having a sequencer that you really flow and connect with is IMPORTANT, quite possibly more important than your hardware "power" and having the newest VST's (up to a point, but you get my point(!)).

But yeah, demo what you can and find what works for YOU.

[blaster78]

i use sonar 3pe, i love it, it does exactly (with the aid of a couple of modula hosts) what i want it to do.

i'm not sure there's much point switching though, i only use sonar beacause of the way i felt one afternoon when i was trying hosts out, if i'd felt slightly different it could have been cubase.

i'm not sure it's worth the cash swapping over, it's all about what your used to i think.

[JerGoertz]

i use sonar 3pe, i love it, it does exactly (with the aid of a couple of modula hosts) what i want it to do.

i'm not sure there's much point switching though, i only use sonar beacause of the way i felt one afternoon when i was trying hosts out, if i'd felt slightly different it could have been cubase.

i'm not sure it's worth the cash swapping over, it's all about what your used to i think.

And you do great music which I adore , which once again proves that a person needs to explore to find what works for him/her.

But I really think it could be worth swapping, because finding that sequencer that you really connect with can be a HUGE benefit. I mean, I was "used" to Sonar for a long time before I got into Cubase, and it just "clicked" for me.

[superddman]

i use sonar 3pe, i love it, it does exactly (with the aid of a couple of modula hosts) what i want it to do.

i'm not sure there's much point switching though, i only use sonar beacause of the way i felt one afternoon when i was trying hosts out, if i'd felt slightly different it could have been cubase.

i'm not sure it's worth the cash swapping over, it's all about what your used to i think.

And you do great music which I adore , which once again proves that a person needs to explore to find what works for him/her.

But I really think it could be worth swapping, because finding that sequencer that you really connect with can be a HUGE benefit. I mean, I was "used" to Sonar for a long time before I got into Cubase, and it just "clicked" for me.

It is all about this connection. Sonar just won't connect with me. I have tried it for over a week and still no connection.

[lsd]

I would love to use sonar but it's vst/vsti implementation is still very "lame". There is really no easy way to organize your vst's so if you have allot they end up in this rediculous long list.

[StrangeCat]

Sonar is indeed not connecting for me anymore either I have had more problems with CC data(something i need for everything!) and VST's and other stuff.


yea a lot of the using Hosts is probably psychological, I had tons of problems so I am switching it doesn't mean one is better then the other, it's just me deciding to go to Cubase^_*

Just imagine how much of all that goes into your music, like you said if your not feeling it then how can you get your mix on!

I am already pretty damn excited to use Cubase SX3 and here i am mixing in Sonar even has I type this

I do think Cubases is Midi is better implemented then sonar though *(just my opinion)*