X1 Studio or Producer?

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Iain010100
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2011/07/07 13:12:21 (permalink)

X1 Studio or Producer?

I plan to upgrade Sonar 7 Studio to X1 and I'm trying to evaluate if Producer is worth the extra $50 to upgrade over Studio. Are there features in Producer that you think are worth it?

According to the X1 comparison chart, these are the extras:

ProChannel
Session Drummer 3
Mastering Effects
Channel Strip Effects
TruePianos
Producer Effects

Anything else? What about instruments? I will be traveling with a laptop and small keyboard controller and I can't haul racks and keyboards so any good additional soft synths can tip the scale.

I've tried an older version Session Drummer and wasn't impressed. I already have EZDrummer, which is passable, but better drums are welcome.

I have East West Goliath and the one piano is usable. How are TruePianos?

I have Guitar Rig 3, the full software version (I think GR4 LE is part of the X1 bundle?)

Your opinions please.

-- Iain
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    Beagle
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    Re:X1 Studio or Producer? 2011/07/07 13:42:24 (permalink)
    http://www.cakewalk.com/products/SONAR/X1-Producer/feature.aspx/Instruments-in-X1-Producer

    cakewalk soundcenter is actually a nice little jewel for "on the road" type stuff and there are even some expansion packs that might not be too bad if you need them.

    FWIW - I have never used Session Drummer 3.  I did use Session Drummer 2 on one project, but I could have just as easily used EZD on it.  I have EZD and Superior Drummer and so I never use Session Drummer.  Session Drummer 3 is not "better" than EZD, if you want "better than EZD" then crossgrade to Superior Drummer 2.  it's killer.

    TruePianos are meh.  IMO.  at least the module(s) that come with Sonar.  some say that the ones you have to buy separately are better, but I use Kontakt Classic pianos myself.

    GR4 comes with producer only, I think.  it's pretty good, but the LE version is not really anything spectacular if you already have GR3 full version.  the only thing that GR4 will get you, however, is compatibility with 64bit.  GR3 won't even run in 64bit sonar with bitbridge, but GR4 is 64bit native.

    http://www.cakewalk.com/products/SONAR/X1-Producer/feature.aspx/Effects-in-X1-Producer

    I really like the PX64 and VX64.  they are really good plugins, IMO.  I also like the tube leveler, but it's difficult to use without "overusing" it if you know what I mean.

    ProChannel is quite good, IMO, except for the tube saturation, which is just "OK" - but some people are having problems with it behaving bad.  I haven't seen the problems they have, however, so it's hard to say if you will have those problems or not.

    Perfect Space convo reverb is actually quite good, too, IMO.  I was using it exclusively until I recently bought IK Multimedia's Classic Reverb.

    Producer is certainly worth it if you need some of the tools above.

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    AT
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    Re:X1 Studio or Producer? 2011/07/07 13:49:15 (permalink)
    You missed dimension pro.  I don't know how it compares to Goliath, but it has some good pianos and a lot of other stuff.  It isn't an all inclusive sample playback synth, but it includes a nice selection that are pretty well done.  And some good wierd stuff - Legieti like strings, etc.  Well worth the $50.

    And ProChannel - worth the $50.  I don't use the mastering effects, but they are good.  Not sure what is in the Channel/Producer.

    Guitar Rig 4 LE has less modules than the pro version, but I imagine there will be un upgrade path cheaper.

    I mean, you get your money's worth if you use X1 for as an all in one.  If you have all the effects and synths you need, not so much.  No one can answer that for you.

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    Beagle
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    Re:X1 Studio or Producer? 2011/07/07 14:16:28 (permalink)
    yeah, but dimpro's pianos are likely still not as good as EW Goliath's piano.  dimpro is OK, but I don't use it, that's why I forgot to mention it.

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    Divinit
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    Re:X1 Studio or Producer? 2011/07/08 12:15:24 (permalink)
    Go for Producer. All the extras that you get make it worth the bux, plus then you are already AT the Producer plateau for future upgrades. Right now might be the cheapest way to get in...:))

    When one is doing the process of self-analysis, One should make sure that the Self that is doing the analysis is, in fact, sane.

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