With a statement like.............

These people simply don't belong on these sorts of projects

You've just elevated yourself to the top of my Terry........ list. Congratulations.

If you don't understand try googling 'Terry' and 'Viz'...........

Ok an update.

As you know I am a kiddie loopster that is low IQ and looking for ease of use and software that simply does what it is supposed to.

Sonar X1 seemed to be the best of everything I tried (bugs aside) and praised it for that. However the drums left a LOT to be desired and I was still disappointed in all the added mouse clicks and illogical processes to do something simple.

I was going to try Protools 9 and Logic on a Mac.

But I've been using Presonus Studio One last night and today.

Let me just say this.

Any software vendor that should consider that software a serious, serious, threat to them and look to see what they are doing.

The software is that perfect 10/10 Sony Vegas software that can do it all.

I didn't even NEED to read a manual or watch tutorials to get up and running. Just simply move your mouse around and operate off hunch and software is so good it will deliver what you want.

There is definitely some small things I would like improved upon, but the software is way, WAY, *WAY* more logical than anything I've used. The grids snap. The loops loop. The drum handling is amazing. The quantize is perfect.

There is no need to try anything else at this point.

The sad thing is, Sonar X1 is actually very close to that kind of functionality but the X1 interface is often illogical and overly complex (I know a lot of you guys like the DAW's to be puzzles more than work flow. Not me. After seeing a 5 part series on drums, I don't think the people at Sonar really 'get it'. It seems they want to be Logic or Cubase more than their own software.

Studio One is NOT like the other DAW's. It uses logic and proper project design. It just does what you want it to. No manual needed. No instructions needed. No running to forums asking how to do simple things that should be obvious (like how to snap!).

Again any DAW makers should be very afraid at this point.

I actually feel at 'home' using this software. You can download the demo on their website and see for yourself. Just move and drag and drop what you want.. right click for menu options.. Like seriously that's all the training you need.

@Crush...
You're really busting some chops around here, but I agree with you regarding Studio One. I too have been using it and I'll be dammed but it just works, is highly intuitive, looks nice, and is logical.
I haven't cracked the manual yet.
When in doubt, I just drag something, somewhere and it works.

I'm not a looper but a traditional musician weaned on the razor blade back when it's primary use in the studio was cutting tape....
I can't comment on that stuff, but for me, as a song writer, composer, engineer, whatever, Studio One doesn't get in the way of my work.

Obviously, Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo (my main software) have more features and glitz than Studio One, but how many people really use all these things?
With the exception of a score view which is a sore point for me, does all this extra fluff really add to my work flow?
In my case no it doesn't.

The most important thing for me is that what features a program does have, work well.
That's where Studio One hits the mark.
So does Reaper BTW.

The community is also very helpful and the developers hang out there as well.

But I've been using Presonus Studio One last night and today. Let me just say this. Any software vendor that should consider that software a serious, serious, threat to them and look to see what they are doing.

I also think Studio One is terrific and has a great future 'ahead'.  The audio engine is superb, as are many of its features.

But it still lags behind Sonar (8.5.3 or X1) in many areas.  They are not showstoppers, but it would be nice to have them in Studio One.

I won't go into a list here (as to what I think Sonar excels at and has that Studio One doesn't - and I won't list what S1 has that X1 doesn't at this time).

But I will say again and again - if X1(b c or whatever) gets things back where I can use it all the time, I'll be very happy to continue to be a cheerleader/supporter/customer for Cakewalk.

I don't think Sonar's audio engine is on par with other hosts at this time, but it's not a showstopper either.   The features in Sonar are mature - and they do increase worfklow.

S1 is a serious competitor now, so maybe this has lit a fire under CW to get crankin' more.

I AM hoping for X1b to allow me to work daily in Sonar and then use S1 for mixing/mastering.

Well tonight I was very happy. I just arranged a whole track in Studio One. No manuals needed. It's very very logical software.

It's been a huge step up from FL studio. HUGE step up. And I was able to use re-wire successfully with FL for a sound.

I can't tell you how happy I am to record in loops and have everything snap. Everything just snaps so logical. I like using the 'Quantize 50%' and 'Humanize'. It's very electronic music friendly for my loop purposes. It's not illogical like FL/Cubase/Sonar/Ableton.

I'm using 64 bit resolution, 32 bit, 48hz project. I have about 12 vst's all running fine with no issues or slow downs.

I cannot use Cubase X1 becuase it's pretty much broken with the loop and snap so for me I've boycotted it until the snap is fixed. I can't sell it used because I feel unethical selling something broken.

Crush


Well tonight I was very happy. I just arranged a whole track in Studio One. No manuals needed. It's very very logical software.

It's been a huge step up from FL studio. HUGE step up. And I was able to use re-wire successfully with FL for a sound.

I can't tell you how happy I am to record in loops and have everything snap. Everything just snaps so logical. I like using the 'Quantize 50%' and 'Humanize'. It's very electronic music friendly for my loop purposes. It's not illogical like FL/Cubase/Sonar/Ableton.

I'm using 64 bit resolution, 32 bit, 48hz project. I have about 12 vst's all running fine with no issues or slow downs.

I cannot use Cubase X1 becuase it's pretty much broken with the loop and snap so for me I've boycotted it until the snap is fixed. I can't sell it used because I feel unethical selling something broken.

Crush, I'm happy you had a good time with Studio One and I am sure your track turned out killer! Good for you.
 
but... truly sorry, I don't really understand what you mean by this. And maybe it's a good idea to re-learn some names;)
 
Couldn't resist ha ha, sorry.

Crush


Cubase X1 

So, Steinberg/Yamaha finally bought Cakewalk? I knew that would happen.

There is no question that Sonar has more features than S1, nor that Cubase has a better Score Editor than Sonar or that Protools is the "defacto standard" or that Samplitude sounds better <only joking on that last one :) >.....

See where I'm going with this?

There is no perfect program.
None.
They all have bugs, deficiencies, quirks, advantages and disadvantages.
And in reading these threads, it's amazing to see how differently people approach their work flow.
Now that's where it gets interesting because getting bit by bugs, having to use too much time trying to do a particular function and so forth is all dependent upon work flow and what features are or are not important to the user.

For example, I don't use audio snap  so I will never see the bugs in that feature.
I do use a score editor to print out parts though so with S1 I use another score program.

It all boils down to work flow and what works or doesn't work for each of us.

I don't think there is a bad DAW program out there, except for maybe N-Track which seems to have a lot of bugs, at least last time I demo it.

Pick your poison and go for it.