Some reservations about X2

Welcome aboard, Rod. X2 does takes some getting used to when switching from 8, but after awhile I think you'll find that the workflow is smoother. More customization options would definitely be nice though.

Scott

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Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

Hi Rod,

I echo your sentiments. I was seriously considering Pro Tools instead of sticking w/ Sonar but I too fell for the $99 upgrade (made easier due to PT 11's price). I wanted the more efficient (and therefore less latency) audio, and the automation lanes. I was mildly interested in the Pro Channel + console emulation since I've been considering the Slate emulator and X2 upgrade was cheaper than Slate. I'm also anxious to try the native bitbridge with my Waves plugins - the 8.5 bitbridge didn't work and while the jBridge did, it always seems a bit clunky.

I don't care for the new UI much and miss the ability to have smaller buttons and controls that I can customize, like you said, the "fit project to window", a save button, and others. X2 does seem a bit better than X1, which I tried but it was bad enough I didn't take that intermediate step.

So far I haven't found anything in X2 that makes me really happy that I spent the money. I like a few things like the automation lanes, the effects chains, but I don't notice any less latency and the UI is enough of a turn off to make everything a wash for me. I haven't "unwired" my Waves VST's from jBridge yet, and if they work in X2 without jBridge like some have posted, that might be enough to make me start actually using X2 instead of 8.5.

AFAIK, you can still run any 32 bit plugins in the 64 bit Sonar... unless I'm mistaken.

I know that in X1 at least, you can run the 32- OR 64-bit plugins within the 64-bit DAW, as long as you installed said version(s) from the get go. Not POSITIVE it's the same in X2, but I would assume so... Hopefully someone else can confirm.

Switched from WDM to ASIO and much / most of the sluggishness sems to be gone!
Haven't had time to try out 64 bit version yet.
Changed the order of an effect in the FX bin and track suddenly sounded like a chipmunk!! Stopped playback / re-started playback, OK again! Lots of little weird, intermittent oddities! 

kev999: I use my 2nd screen for console view. Wish I could just hide the Multidock from sight. However, maybe moving the Multidock to the 2nd screen and docking the console in it would work? Have to try that out. 

Panu's Duckbar http://www.sonarmods.com/forum/index.php has an option to hide the Multidock

rodreb
Thanks Scott, I'm trying. In fact, I just recieved your X2 Power book yesterday in the mail! So, I'm working on it. 

Hi Rod... thanks very much! I hope you enjoy the book.


Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

Fit Project to Window = shift + f

You probably need to set X2 to look in your old 32 bit folders. I believe what you need may be in this thread. http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2366349

When in Cakewalk Plugin Manager, click on 'Options', [middle - lower down].

This will bring up a window that shows which VST folders have been already scanned.

You may need to add one to find your '32s'.

It may be something like: 

C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins\.

or 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins\.

I always go looking for them first & make note of where they are so I don't have to guess.

In a 64 bit system, there will typically be a folder like the ones above for all things '32 bit'. [That's what the (x86) means].

Your 64 Bit stuff, on the other hand, will most likely be in:
 
C:\Program Files\Vstplugins\. 

It could also be: 

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins\.   [Notice no (x86).]

After you add the path, & click 'Ok', you should click 'Scan Vst Plugins' to the right of 'Options'

I then seem to have to close then re-open Sonar to have the changes take effect. 

Finally, back in Cakewalk Plugin Manager, you may have to highlight & 'Add Plugin' to the list on the right if they don't show up on their own.