which Sonar version to buy

Hi - I am sure this has been asked before...could someone point me to a link with advice or more detailed comparisons than the cakewalk page? Thanks!

Thank you! My recording is mainly adding guitar (recording direct) + vox to midi tracks i create in another software. Yes I have softsynths & plug ins. So I want to do recording, mixing & mastering. I don't know what some of the items are in the list - RGC suite, T series FX so that's why I asked for more detail. And V-vocal - I already have Melodyne, altho it's not that easy to use well. Is V-Vocal worth getting? Thanks!!

After taking a good look at that PDF, myself, once agin it comes down to whether some of these things are worthwhile compared to what you have. I will give my opinions on some.  As far as instruments, z3ta is one of the best softsynths ever made.  Even if you have other synths, if you don't already have Z3ta is is a worthwhile pickup, but can be bought independently of Sonar.  If you have other softstnths you rely on, none are must haves.  This is not a knock on them.  I have grown to love Dimension pro as a good all around synth, but if I had something close to it already, it does not justify the difference between producer and studio on it's own.  In fact, none of the VSTis' do.  For me it was worth it because I did not have a lot of synths to begin with.

As far as effects,  the effect in the studio and producer version of Sonar are very good even if some are a little aged at this point. The true jewel IMO is in producer you get the pro channel. Depenmding on which effects plugins you have, you may own plugins that are as good as or better than the ones in pro channel, but none that will give you the workflow convenience like pro channel does. More info about pro channel here: http://cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Producer/about.aspx/ProChannel

If the pro channel does not do much for you, i would say producer would be overkill for you. Studio will certainly do the trick for what you need and you could possibly get by on essential.  Have you tried downloading the demo or watching some of the video tutorials?

I started with the Essentials package, learned how to use the program, decided I liked it and wanted to upgrade my system to as many 64 bit programs as I could, and upgraded to the Studio version for the 64 bit capability. Then I was offered a $99 upgrade to Producer...and I decided to go for it.  So I'd say a lot depends on your wants and needs and your budget...Nothing wrong with starting out small and growing.

I say buy the best version you can afford. You will not only be happy with your purchase, you will be supporting a great company.

Paresh K


Thank you! My recording is mainly adding guitar (recording direct) + vox to midi tracks i create in another software. Yes I have softsynths & plug ins. So I want to do recording, mixing & mastering. I don't know what some of the items are in the list - RGC suite, T series FX so that's why I asked for more detail. And V-vocal - I already have Melodyne, altho it's not that easy to use well. Is V-Vocal worth getting? Thanks!!

It's not a question of making a choice to "get" V-vocal. It comes bundled with Producer and I have enjoyed great success with it over the years.


When used properly it's intuitive, light on resources and suits my needs perfectly

Which tutorials? The help topic tuts or the freebie Craig Anderton ones? If it's the help topic tuts you really should get a hold of Cakewalk support because trying to figure out this program blind is next to impossible. And I'm still waiting for CW to send me new links to the Anderton ones because the ones in my account were expired for some reason. I may have to ask them again. Seriously, Cake will help you with this.

I can try again to dnload the tutorial - cakewalk's, not anderton's. I am following the "getting started" instructions, not working blind. Yr right - no sesion drummer in essentials - I just wonder if it's worth getting studio for session drummer when i finish the trial.

Just get the Producer version. You're already doing Midi-synths and audio projects. What you don't understand you can learn. There's a lot things you will like in the Producer edition that may streamline your projects a little. Another plus is the synths included.