Hip Hop Producer JR Rotem Prefers Sonar recording software

The acclaimed producer of artists like Rihanna (SOS), Sean Kingston (Beautiful Girls), Leona Willis (Better in Time) started on Sonar recording software and still prefers it to ProTools http://njnnetwork.com/201...oftware/jr-totem-trio/ J.R. Rotem has hit the charts with a recognizable sound for his hip-hop clients. Surprisingly in a world where ProTools is the professional digital recording software (DAW) of choice, JR Rotem actually likes the sound he gets from Sonar. He has produced mega hits Rihanna (‘SOS), Sean Kingston (‘Beautiful Girls’ and ‘Take You There’), Leona Lewis (‘Better In Time’), Iyaz (‘Replay’), Jason Derülo (‘Watcha Say’ ‘In My Head’), Nicki Minaj (‘Fly’), and others. Most of those hits were recorded using Sonar DAW software. When he was interviewed in the March 2012 issue of Sound on Sound, I was interested to read his insights into the music recording business and how he makes a hit song. I wasn’t prepared for J.R. Rotem’s endorsement of Sonar software. “When I listen to the beats I made in Sonar, they still sound fatter and warmer than the sounds in Pro Tools,” he told SOS in the interview. Check out for the rest of the story and media - http://njnnetwork.com/201...ar-recording-software/

Damn, too bad Cake couldn't capitalize on the endorsement opportunity with J.R. when he was still using Sonar. That would've been huge for them. He could've been the face of Sonar b/c he was everywhere during that run of hits he had. That would've done wonders for the stigma that "pros" don't use Sonar or when people ask what "big" songs have been produced w/ Sonar.

It really doesn't help when professional people in the field start saying that they sound different. Why then, do no properly designed tests ever seem to demonstrate a difference? Gah

Lance. Out of curiosity, do you use session drummer for your drums or do you rely on third party? The chief complaint i find with most hip-hop producers (and dance producers as well)about Sonar when it comes to Sonar is they find the bundled instruments (with the exception of z3ta+) somewhat useless. I'm not saying i agree. In fact, i think part of the issue is they are so used to the workflow of FL,Reason and Ableton, that tools that would theoretically be good for hip-hop feel alien to them.

You should look into these: http://www.d16.pl/index.php?menu=213 Absolutely the best 808 and 909 emulators out there.

I used the DR008 for a long time.  And it did a good job in most cases; but it's a 16bit sample playback which eliminates a lot of great samples that are 24 and/or 32bit.

But, Battery is great, so I think that's a good transition.  There are so many great drum module choices these days; it's pretty much drum nirvana lately ;)

As for Sonar.  I think there are a lot of "closet Sonar Users" out there.  I know a few "names" that - for whatever reasons - don't like saying they use Sonar (makes me crazy they feel that way) but it is what it is.

Regardless, I don't think one should care too much about who does or doesn't use a product if you feel wit works well for you (after all, that's really what matters).

I still use SR-202 from Computer Magazine lol

Ba midi..i don't think ...at least i hope people are not choosing DAWS based on who uses them, but i think it does help the absolute beginner get some direction as to what is possible.  Many think of cakewalk as mostly a DAW for guitarists.  I know better, but sometimes reputations are hard to shake.  In a perfect world, people would simply go for their own sound, but it is common for people to start off emulating those they admire and using the equipment/software used by their idols.

dubdisciple


I still use SR-202 from Computer Magazine lol

Ba midi..i don't think ...at least i hope people are not choosing DAWS based on who uses them, but i think it does help the absolute beginner get some direction as to what is possible.  Many think of cakewalk as mostly a DAW for guitarists.  I know better, but sometimes reputations are hard to shake.  In a perfect world, people would simply go for their own sound, but it is common for people to start off emulating those they admire and using the equipment/software used by their idols.

I agree that reputations are hard to shake -- but to some extent it's a self-inflicted wound, so to speak.  Marketing people throw out some slogans or ads that pigeon-hole products.  They have to live with that.


Also - if I didn't know much about Sonar and came to this forum,and/or just look at their ads/marketing  I would also think it was focused mostly on bands, singer/songwriters, and/or church-based musicians.


Not everyone is going to download the demos; not everyone is going to research deeply.  And, if the marketing/ads/rhetoric doesn't live up to the "hype"  (example:  "DAW 2.0") I think that causes some angst for the potential buyer/user.


Sonar (especially X1) definitely has come a LONG way from it birth.  And I would also submit that it definitely holds water when compared to the 'biggie' known as Pro Tools.  At this point I would even say that what's really holding Sonar back from getting deeper into the "biggie" market is really only a few small things that others have (gapless audio is a good example) and a re-direction of their marketing (which I doubt is going to happen).


But as a product, X1 if put to the test in a one-on-one competition would come out equally strong and solid (at this point) in my opinion.


So the reputation can - and should be shaken at least.  And that's up to CW to accomplish IF they think it's worth doing.  Big If, I'd say.

backwoods


Good points there I think ba-midi.

I think X1 could be marketed a bit better. Cakewalk is a cool name for a company and Sonar for a DAW is good but things like "DAW 2.0" and "Prochannel" are pretty corny I think. 

Heh, I think Pro channel is ok -- but does that mean you're not a pro if you don't use it??? LOL