I cant use this...

I new to DAWs. I'm trying out Reason, FL, and Sonar, all in demos.
I noticed that on Sonar it's incredibly hard to "click in" my notes, where in FL its basically all clicking, and in Reason it's mostlly clicking.
Like the step seqeuncer is really hard to use, and I don't get it. Is sonar more for real instruments, like singing into a mic or recording guitar? Or at least more for use with a keyboard? I mean even Cakewalk Soundcenter, it doesn't quite let me pencil in the notes like FL....
If this is not the case PLEASE offer me some help with step sequncer and samples....im about  to buy a DAW and i cant decide between FL (which i will probably not use after a year) or Sonar (which is super hard to learn).
Also-can i put sounds into sonar? Idk what the term is....sample? Like sounds I got from Dubturbo, cuz i got that cuz i thought it was a DAW lol. By sounds I mean the stuff on the left panel of FL: those quick one-note sounds like ONE hi hat, ONE kick, not a Virtual drum or a oscillator-type-sounding-note that sounds like 3 notes
 
 
 
That was probably hard to read lol sorry i dont know many terms so it's hard to explain

There's a handy video on the Sonar university (link is down the bottom) shows you how to use the step sequencer, failing that have a browse on YouTube. I tried FL before buying X1 and couldn't figure out, that was more than likely due to me being a clut though!

Evnabby


I new to DAWs. I'm trying out Reason, FL, and Sonar, all in demos.
I noticed that on Sonar it's incredibly hard to "click in" my notes, where in FL its basically all clicking, and in Reason it's mostlly clicking.
Like the step seqeuncer is really hard to use, and I don't get it. Is sonar more for real instruments, like singing into a mic or recording guitar? Or at least more for use with a keyboard? I mean even Cakewalk Soundcenter, it doesn't quite let me pencil in the notes like FL....
If this is not the case PLEASE offer me some help with step sequncer and samples....im about  to buy a DAW and i cant decide between FL (which i will probably not use after a year) or Sonar (which is super hard to learn).
Also-can i put sounds into sonar? Idk what the term is....sample? Like sounds I got from Dubturbo, cuz i got that cuz i thought it was a DAW lol. By sounds I mean the stuff on the left panel of FL: those quick one-note sounds like ONE hi hat, ONE kick, not a Virtual drum or a oscillator-type-sounding-note that sounds like 3 notes
 
 
 
That was probably hard to read lol sorry i dont know many terms so it's hard to explain

We have a bunch of videos up on SONAR U that show you how to get started. Also, if you buy X2 Producer through Feb you get a free 30-day pass at Groove 3 where you can learn more about SONAR. We've taken many steps to simplify SONAR X2 starting with the Skylight User Interface. SONAR X2 is pretty powerful and complete DAW and has many features which will help you grow throughout the years. 


Start with these videos:


http://www.cakewalk.com/C...ONARU.aspx/Get-Started

hmm... probably would have helped if I actually read your post. lol

But seriously... PRV is much better and easier to use than the SS in my opinion. 

@sharke... Totally. I've been studying for over 8 months* and I'm just now starting to get a real grasp of where, what, how and why things are in Sonar.

*I stopped a few times to just record some music. Had some other life stuff happen during that time as well but for the most part I spend every day at the very least reading the forum.

If you wish to use loops its great for that. Its good for all forms of music. For Hip Hop I would consider getting an MPC though. You can do fine without one but it will more fun with one. 

You can do it any way you want. You can use audio loops MIDI loops loops from an MPC.  Sonar is not limited. Oh and of course you can by using Sonar make your own.

Although trying the demo is a good idea it wont let you get too deeply into what Sonar can do. Because you only get to use it for 30 days.

If I were you I would watch the videos on Sonar before down loading the demo. 

and the second part : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdJVZ1I5CKE

Bear in mind that while other DAW's like FL may have tailored beat making capabilities, that's not to say that you cannot purchase such functionality in VST form to use in Sonar. Things like FXpansion Geist to name one (although it's pricey). 

You can also buy packages of MIDI drum patterns that you can drag and drop into your DAW. Groovemonkey being an excellent example. I use these a lot - you can either use them "as is" or you can use them as starting points for your own beats. I like to quantize them in different ways to get different feels. I also sometimes chop them up and put them back together to make my own offbeat patterns. 

Evnabby


Ok guys can you answer me this question: Will SONAR X2 Essentials be a good choice for Hip-hop/Rap production with few real instruments recorded (so no need for high end recording stuff), but lot's of....IDK what to call it...Synth drums? Software drums? Bascially drums that are NOT recorded by mic :P

In short, yes.
Definitely watch the video on using the Step Sequencer. It should help a lot.
But also get familiar with the PRV. I don't really like the inline PRV, but I do like working with the full PRV, selected from the view menu.
Like Beepster, I am very comfortable working with it, and tend to prefer PRV over the SS. Totally personal preference.
I don't have X2, because I am working on an XP platform, but X1 Essential is quite powerful, and more than adequate for what you want to do. I would expect X2 Essential to do the same.
As noted earlier, and you already know, the learning curve is fierce at first, especially if the whole DAW thing is new to you.
I knew nothing about this stuff when I started out. Now, it's mostly second nature.
Take your time. Learn it in small bits.
Don't try to do your grande opus right away. Read the help files. Trash some projects. It will take some time, but you'll get it.
I believe it's worth the effort.