It's been a few months now...Sonar refugees, how's the new DAW working?

[Jim Roseberry]

If looking for a DAW application that has 1:1 all the features of Sonar Platinum, it doesn't exist.

That said, we're spoiled by numerous other good choices.
ie: You may not have Track Templates in Samplitude, Studio One, etc...
But there are other features that are stronger in those particular DAW applications (Object based editing, completely gap-less audio engine, etc).

After the learning curve... it's somewhat of a wash

[BBFG#]

I'm in a few chatrooms (discord/irc) online with a number of Sonar users, thusfar it seems like most of them have been moving to Cubase.

Overall it seems like the most logical choice.

The groups I'm part of seems to show a majority of people switching to Studio One. After demoing one and owning the other, I no longer find either of them to my liking. So still searching...

[THE INTRANCER]

The groups I'm part of seems to show a majority of people switching to Studio One. After demoing one and owning the other, I no longer find either of them to my liking. So still searching...

So what is it specifically you want to do that you can't do in another which is preventing you from producing music exactly ?

[Grumbleweed]

I jumped to Cubase pretty much as soon as the offer was made to get it at a discount.
It isn't easy finding menu items you know must exist and I've wasted quite a lot of time due to inexperience with the new DAW.
I do like it and have no regrets - I just need to keep at it and things will become second nature.
It's also nice to see Computer Music magazine videos featuring a DAW I own - Sonar never got a look in!

Grum.

[Unfocused]

I demoed Cubase, Studio One, Mix Craft, Samplitude, Reaper, and Digital Performer, before deciding on Cubase. I will say that demoing all of these DAWs made me realize how lucky we are to have such choice and, while I will miss Sonar, I can adapt to any DAW--it's just a matter of investing the time.

Cubase's GUI, while a bit clunky in some ways, fairly closely matches the paradigm that I am accustomed to (as does Studio One, but I prefer Cubase's approach), and there are enough user-customization options for me. The included effects are high quality and useful, but still not as convenient to use (for me) as the ProChannel stuff. I love having more useful built in MIDI filters/transform tools in the track inspector pane. Chord tracks look like they will be really useful in sketching out songs.The only feature I really miss is ARA integration, because while Variaudio is useful to an extent, I don't find it nearly as flexible as Melodyne Studio (which I own). I hope that Steinberg eventually adds this feature/option, but I'm not holding my breath. I can still use Melodyne as a plug-in (or pull audio into Sonar, if necessary).

I'm not super comfortable using Cubase yet, but the more I do, the more I like it. It is a definite step up from SONAR in some respects (but a step back in others). It really is a good DAW that should be around for a long time (fingers crossed).

FWIW, I really liked Reaper and am still dabbling with it. I know I can go there if necessary. The only other of the DAWs I tested that I seriously considered was Studio One, but it was way too resource-intensive and unstable on my system. I'd give a future version of Studio One a look though.


-u

[telecharge]

I'm in a few chatrooms (discord/irc) online with a number of Sonar users, thusfar it seems like most of them have been moving to Cubase.

Overall it seems like the most logical choice.

The groups I'm part of seems to show a majority of people switching to Studio One. After demoing one and owning the other, I no longer find either of them to my liking. So still searching...

I think you're both right. I spent a fair amount of time on the Cakewalk forums over the past few months, and I get the impression most SONAR users who are making a jump have gone to Cubase and Studio One.

I would also guess that Studio One is ahead due to not having a dongle requirement.

[chk071]

I demoed Cubase, Studio One, Mix Craft, Samplitude, Reaper, and Digital Performer, before deciding on Cubase. I will say that demoing all of these DAWs made me realize how lucky we are to have such choice and, while I will miss Sonar, I can adapt to any DAW--it's just a matter of investing the time.

Indeed. I'm not at all a power user, but, i never found that DAW's are exorbitant different to each other. They differ in details, and also a bit in workflow, but, if you know Cubase, for example, you will be able to handle Studio One as well, for sure. Reaper isn't far off either, but always annoyed me with 20 menu entries you'll have to look through, to get the one you are looking for, and also has quite severe GUI issues, IMO. Still should be manageable though, for anyone familiar with other DAW's.

[BBFG#]

The groups I'm part of seems to show a majority of people switching to Studio One. After demoing one and owning the other, I no longer find either of them to my liking. So still searching...

So what is it specifically you want to do that you can't do in another which is preventing you from producing music exactly ?

Nothing. Producing music fine in Sonar.

Still have enough time to see what else gets developed. Just running through the demos to see what's currently offered.