SONAR X2 first look

[ShawnG]

[quote="satYatunes"]Here is the excerpt from their website:

"Pure, unadulterated, world-class reverb inspired by classic hardware is now fully integrated into SONAR X2 Producer both as a VST plugin and as a custom ProChannel module."

Vintage Channel is a classic example. It shows up on other host but when you try to use it, you get the "Sonar only" message. I hate CW when they don't make it clear in their advertising. It does not say that the Breverb VST plugin is locked to CW only, so I assumed that it is open for other host. Sorry, my apologies.[/quote]

most cakewalk plugins work fine in other sequencers, BUT usually when they collaborate with other companies, those plugs are locked to sonar. if my memory serves, the total list is Breverb, TH2, vintage channel (dev by Kjarhus it was essentially a version of the golden channel) and truepianos (4Front) Cake IS offering upgrades to the full version on a reduced price basis, $99 for TH1 and $129 for Breverb. those then can be used anywhere, and has the full feature set of the original plugs.

I'm curious though, what other hosts do you have that allow you to use the included plugins in other hosts? S1? no Cubase? No Live? no Logic? no Reaper I guess lets you use their plugs, but they don't have any synths... etc. Sonar is pretty unusual in that you can use their stuff in other programs.

[Gonga]

Just thought I'd update - the problems I had the other day have NOT resurfaced, so as far as I can tell X2 has been very stable for me. Haven't really pushed 'er yet though.

I AM enjoying the new workflow features a LOT though. Still getting used to them, but enjoying. And honestly, I like the looks of the thing better too. It's just more fun to use these days with an i7 and all when I think back to the Pro Audio daze...

[hibidy]

edit

[whyterabbyt]

most cakewalk plugins work fine in other sequencers, BUT usually when they collaborate with other companies, those plugs are locked to sonar.

Precisely. I'd presume its a condition of the licensing, which means its pretty understandable. I wasnt avtually expecting them to work, but the wording about Breverb and TH2 was ambiguous enough that I tested it straight away.

Not many other host developers allow any of 'their' toys to run in anyone else's DAW, so, to me CW are still 'ahead of the pack' in that regard.

[satYatunes]

-complaints about latency
-instrument rack issues (which they obviously didn't change here, but I hate it)
-a few people having stability issues
-GUI issues and touchy "smart tool" problems
-some possible compatibility issues with new things like breverb/TH2 in the prochannel and stability

Do you think these will go away forever? Nah, I don't think so. Even after two years, there are users who has some issue or other on X1. One cannot blame the software all the time. Machine configuration plays a major role too For example, it's not so stable on my Win 7 64 bit but rock solid on my WinXP 32 bit. However, X1D update made it quite stable on my machine.
I have stopped watching and reading the X2 threads too. Except for this one I hardly visit CW forum. I would expect a X2 patch soon. I really like the changes they made to Piano Roll, Zoom, Grids, etc. These small things do matter a lot and saves a lot of time. I am quite tempted to upgrade but I am gonna wait. I do think these features should have been there in the first place. These are not upgrade material. Couple of users have expressed their happiness already in this thread. Anyway, lets see.

[satYatunes]

Not many other host developers allow any of 'their' toys to run in anyone else's DAW, so, to me CW are still 'ahead of the pack' in that regard.

+1

[VariKusBrainZ]

most cakewalk plugins work fine in other sequencers, BUT usually when they collaborate with other companies, those plugs are locked to sonar.

Precisely. I'd presume its a condition of the licensing, which means its pretty understandable. I wasnt avtually expecting them to work, but the wording about Breverb and TH2 was ambiguous enough that I tested it straight away.

Not many other host developers allow any of 'their' toys to run in anyone else's DAW, so, to me CW are still 'ahead of the pack' in that regard.

word.
Plus the Sonitus and other Directx plugs work great with that freeware DirectX to VST wrapper

[satYatunes]

Here is the excerpt from their website:

"Pure, unadulterated, world-class reverb inspired by classic hardware is now fully integrated into SONAR X2 Producer both as a VST plugin and as a custom ProChannel module."

Vintage Channel is a classic example. It shows up on other host but when you try to use it, you get the "Sonar only" message. I hate CW when they don't make it clear in their advertising. It does not say that the Breverb VST plugin is locked to CW only, so I assumed that it is open for other host. Sorry, my apologies.

most cakewalk plugins work fine in other sequencers, BUT usually when they collaborate with other companies, those plugs are locked to sonar. if my memory serves, the total list is Breverb, TH2, vintage channel (dev by Kjarhus it was essentially a version of the golden channel) and truepianos (4Front) Cake IS offering upgrades to the full version on a reduced price basis, $99 for TH1 and $129 for Breverb. those then can be used anywhere, and has the full feature set of the original plugs.

I'm curious though, what other hosts do you have that allow you to use the included plugins in other hosts? S1? no Cubase? No Live? no Logic? no Reaper I guess lets you use their plugs, but they don't have any synths... etc. Sonar is pretty unusual in that you can use their stuff in other programs.

I understand what you are saying but my point was more towards false or unclear advertising not as to why they don't allow. For example, they could have just put "Sonar Only" within the bracket with Breverb's text, that would have been crystal clear to everyone.

[hibidy]

edit

[Gonga]

That's encouraging. The things that are bugging me mostly are:

-complaints about latency
-instrument rack issues (which they obviously didn't change here, but I hate it)
-a few people having stability issues
-GUI issues and touchy "smart tool" problems
-some possible compatibility issues with new things like breverb/TH2 in the prochannel and stability
-I don't want to shell for the concrete limiter (but feel I'd want it)

All I can think of now. Enjoying the stop/look/listen approach, we'll see.

I run an old M-Audio Firewire1814, which has served me faithfully for years. The best I can get out of it under X2 is a 64 sample buffer, which translates to a total round trip of 8.3 milliseconds, plenty good for me to play with. Have you heard X2 is worse than X1 for latency? I haven't done any big projects yet, but will within the month.

No comment yet on the others, but I use Alloy and Ozone so no need/desire for extra-cost channel strip stuff like the concrete limiter (and why would you want to limit concrete anyway, especially when there's so much brick wall to go around?)

[memyselfandus]

is the Matrix still limited to audio loops? no MIDI like ableton yet?

[ShawnG]

when did the Matrix NOT do MIDI? It's always been able to, as far as I'm aware. The only thing I'd like to have is the ability to record Audio or Midi directly into the cells, like you can with ableton, but you can drag MIDI loops in from the browser or from the Arranger any time you like. as well as Step sequencer patterns if you work with that. rex files as well.

[pc999]

What is the copy protection method?

[LawrenceF]

I do have to admit, after playing around a bit more with the demo over the past week or so I adtually kinda like X1. Wasn't really expecting to. I'm not really looking to switch DAWs but I could see me using it full time if I wasn't set in my ways and methods so much already and especially if I'd kinda been on the Cakewalk path already.

Lots of stuff to like there ... imo. I assume moreso with X2. I can see why some diehard fans like it. It still has a wee bit too much "MS Windows" in it's overall design for my general taste but I like it.

So... maybe Sonar fans aren't clinically insane after all.

[hibidy]

Or................