Is Sonar X1 the best for me? In regards to included VST's, plugins, etc.

[JJBiener]

I heard you have to change Reason to 32-bit to get it to work. I read something about this earlier today.

How do you like X1 Studio compared to Home Studio? What are the biggest improvements for you?

There are a couple things people said above that I think are particularly important to remember. The one who said, pick up a CM magazine and start making music now, then figure out what you need. He is right. I ran Home Studio 7 before I upgraded to X1. I learned that my approach to recording can best be described as minimalist. I wanted the X1 interface, but 90% of Studio was stuff that I wouldn't really use. So I upgraded to X1 Essentials for $50, and it does everything I want it to. If I get to the point where I need some of the things in Studio, I can always upgrade later.

BTW, if you buy during the current sale, you can upgrade to Essentials for $40.

If you buy Komplete, I can't imagine you would need anything else to play with for quite some time. There is an enormous amount of stuff there. The problem as I am sure you realize is that it is extremely expensive, at least for those of us who are on a budget. As we talked about, there are a lot of free and inexpensive synths that will get you started before you make the kind of investment Komplete represents. You don't need to spend that much money to produce professional-sounding music.

Get some free synths, buy CM magazine, and start recording. Put your stuff up on Soundcloud and get some critiques. Then use that information and make more music. There will always be time to spend more money.

[CTStump]

BTW, if you buy during the current sale, you can upgrade to Essentials for $40.

What Sale is that, the only Sale I found was the 30% off for X1 extras. I always try those coupons on upgrades and they only work when they are for the whole store as is the case with this one (I tested it).

X1 Essential is a good option at regular price IMHO.

[mr president]

Since getting the x1d update ive had no problems with x1, and its certainly been the best in terms for me in all areas. I dont seem to understand why so many other people have any trouble with it. The only problem i do have is its so easy to access the pro channel for the mixer,i find i dont use any of my vsts any more. I have spent a lot on them such as buying the t racks bundle just lately and it really is so much easier to access the channel with one click rather than scrolling through endless menus. Again, i speak for myself, ive just bought all the prochannel modules to see what they are like and i am well impressed, especially with the concrete limiter and la2a clones. its like having a waves certain limiter on every channel and the DSP resources are pretty minimal too. Im also waiting to try the reason 6 racks extensions, as ive just bought reason 6 upgrade from reason 3. I started with home studio 4, and i eventually had a few upgrades over the years from 8 PE finally to x1D expanded. Its cost a lot but it was worth it in the end. Theres lots of brilliant new stuff such as having transient marker detection located on the track tabs, PX and VX 64 strips, and a lot of other stuff...Feature packed would be an understatement. Again i find its worked best for me cost its been the one i have stuck with the most. Just food for thought!!