I bought the studio one artist deal for $20 about 6 months ago... just tried it out.

ChuckC


I found that really, REALLY don't like the UI at all. 

+1  I tried the demo and it did not appeal to me at all. I never really got into the features because the GIU put me off.
 
Abelton is something completly different and seems to aimed at DJs, Dance and electronica producers, I have not tried it but it supposed to be very good at what it dose.

ChuckC, you say you don't know if that's the direction X1 went, why not install the demo of X1 for yourself and see what you think?  Install it in a separate installation directory and give it a whirl, you may like it you may not, but better to have your own experience to judge it on, at least that's what I would think.

http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/web-trial.aspx

You get a full 30 days of all the Sonar X1 Producer functionality to test it with, including:

• ProChannel
• Rapture LE
• VX-64 Vocal Strip
• PX-64 Percussion Strip

Who knows, you might like it.  At least you will know you don't for a reason if you try it for yourself.

ChuckC: I appreciate your point of view. Personally, I found S1 very easy to learn, and have no problems with the S1 interface at all.  I think the biggest hurdle is that it is very different and needs to be approached with a clean mindset. If you go into it trying to make it work the way Sonar does (any version), you will have problems

In the end, the DAW that suits your workflow best is the best DAW to use

Jind


ChuckC, you say you don't know if that's the direction X1 went, why not install the demo of X1 for yourself and see what you think?  Install it in a separate installation directory and give it a whirl, you may like it you may not, but better to have your own experience to judge it on, at least that's what I would think.

http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/web-trial.aspx

You get a full 30 days of all the Sonar X1 Producer functionality to test it with, including:

• ProChannel
• Rapture LE
• VX-64 Vocal Strip
• PX-64 Percussion Strip

Who knows, you might like it.  At least you will know you don't for a reason if you try it for yourself.

+1 but don't try the vocal and percussion strips. They make things sound bad just by inserting the plugs. No redeeming qualities IMO. However, I am in full agreement that X1 is an outstanding DAW. The only thing that would make it better is if they brought back our ability to manipulate the colors. The good news there is that member Panu has created mods for better color schemes.

I'm offended.

Having been a long time Cakewalk user (Pro Audio 9 thru X1), I recently migrated to S1v2 and am very impressed with it.  I know I struggled at first with it because I had to re-learn what I knew about Cakewalk.

Now, the workflow is just so intuitive for me in S1v2.  Very well thought out.

X1 is a fine DAW in it's own right.  I just grew out of the direction they are taking the product and with S1v2 at an affordable price (crossgrade) for the Pro. version I thought I'd give it a try.  It was a bit scary at first because Cakewalk was all I knew.  In the end, I'm very happy.

Tom

Yes, I suppose I was but, that was part of the reasong for posting the thread...  to gain feedback and insight to learn if that was accurate or not.  Obviously it was not.  Cool!  I appreciate the help!   I am sure S1 has it's merrits too, Let somebody else enjoy em cause I am out on that one.  that's all I am saying at this point about it.
  As for X1, I am glad to hear that it is closer to something that might be more familiar to me.  When I make the upgrade It will be easier to transition then.  When I bought Producer 8.5 it was the flagship product, a few months later the whole new X1 platform was brought out and 8.5 seems left for dead by the roadside.  That's fine, I think it's a great platform, it's stable, It suits my needs and workflow and I don't feel like learning it all over again.  So for now here I am & here I stay.   When X1 first hit it was all complaints on here, crashes & glitches galore.  I understand it has gotten much better which is great, but I am still not looking to upgrade just yet.

Mike it can do that and much more. Studio One Version 2 is much more powerful than V1 for starters and contains layers and all sorts of great comping options. Also there has just been a point update very recently which has also added a raft of new features.