Thoughts on Prochannel Pack Upgrade, PC4K, Concrete Limiter, CA-2A

Well I bought the upgrade and I have mixed emotions about the result.
 
First off, I have to say the sound quality is very good, according to my ears.
 
Also, I am happy to report that the VST3 version of the CA-2A works just as expected, except it didn't come with any presets. Be sure to look for it under VST3. At first, I couldn't find it since I was looking in the VST2 menu.
 
But there are problems due to the Prochannel.
 
The biggest problem is that the PC4K and the Concrete Limiter only work in the Prochannel.
 
Up until now I have just ignored the Prochannel. I actually ignored the Prochannel so much that I didn't realize what I was buying are not VST plugs. It was a big surprise to me that now I have to use the Prochannel if I want to use the effects I just bought.
 
Part of the reason I have ignored the Prochannel is because I also like to ignore the Track inspector.
 
I ignore the Track Inspector because it offers less information and takes up much more space than the track pane. Using the track pane, you can scan every detail about all tracks. Especially in older versions of Sonar. (they took away the MIDI key change in Sonar X). The track inspector, on the other hand requires layered windows to see what is going on, and you have to look at each track one at a time.
 
I don't think the Prochannel is implemented properly. First, your effects are hidden and could easily be forgotten since Prochannel does not show up in the FX window in the track pane. You need to use the Track Inspector to see the Prochannel.
 
There is no good way to show all Prochannels for all tracks, so you could scan your project's effects. The closest thing is a very hard to look at console view with each track's Prochannel expanded.
 
Next, the prochannel is only available pre or post FX. The only way to put the effect of the Prochannel in the middle of the FX chain is to move your effects from the Track Pane and have them in the FX Chain module inside of Prochannel. This of course hides the whole FX chain if you are looking at the track pane view.
 
Not to mention requiring a complete restructuring of existing projects if you want to use the Prochannel inserts.
 
Cakewalk should have made all of the Prochannel plugs available in VST format. The provided EQ is very good, for example, but is difficult to use because it resides in the Prochannel only.
 
It feels like Cakewalk is trying to force the user away from the track pane and over to the Inspector. Yes the Inspector looks more cool, but the Track Pane is much more effective.
 
Overall, the Sonar X3/Prochannel experience reminds me of my experience of going to Windows 8. (ie "where is the start menu??!!"). For some reason the current generation of programmers are so eager to make a pretty face and implement changes just for the sake of change, that the most useful elements get dropped off or hidden from view. I suppose I am just getting old.
 
One other small problem is that if you buy the Prochannel pack upgrade, it evidently does not come with any presets in which the new effects are used. At least mine didn't. I contacted the email support, but I am still waiting to see what they say about this.
 
But I close with at least one positive thing about Prochannel. It is very easy to save your Prochannel setup for a track. They actually give you quite a few nice chains of Prochannel effects as presets, and it is easy to store your own. This feature is very nice. For example, if you develop a Prochannel for your own voice, you can just bring it into a track with a couple clicks.
 
 
 
 

I share some of your concerns, and then some, but I've already voiced them on here so there's not that much point to reiterate. I will say that if you like the QuadCurve EQ, you will love the Fabfilter ProQ. It works as a regular VST and they have a sale one their bundles right now. The Limiter and Compressor are great too.

I'm trying not to get sucked down into this again, but I just want to point out that I personally do like and use the inspector. You were probably responding more to the OP anyway, but just to be clear. I know you all probably can't sleep at night if you haven't had my opinion on this ;)
 
For the rest, I just wanted to plug (ha...ha...) the Fabfilter Pro Q as a VST alternative/upgrade to the QC EQ.

Sanderxpander
 I will say that if you like the QuadCurve EQ, you will love the Fabfilter ProQ. It works as a regular VST and they have a sale one their bundles right now. The Limiter and Compressor are great too.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
 
Why in the world did you introduce me to this company?
 
I want to spend my money on guitars and women, not software.
 
Now I have to obsess over plug ins.
 
Its all your fault!.
 
BTW, how does their install work? I like the way Cakewalk more or less trusts you. Does Fabfilter have any kind of weird product protection? I avoid software that is over protected.
 
Thanks

Fabfilter copy protection is a simple authentication file. Installing and authentication is easy. They have fully functional demos. All of your installation and authentication questions are covered here. If you choose to skip the current sale, you can always get a 10% discount on your first purchase by having a current Fabfilter user send you a discount code.

The PC has become a staple in my studio.  2 out of 3 engineers who use Sonar at my spot are hooked on it.  We like it because it simulates mixing with a real console, complete with eq, compression, console emu, tape emu, and FX all before inserting a single plugin into the bin. 
I also like some of the suggestions for making it more flexible, but I encourage you to stop avoiding it, and give it a try.  The sound is pleasing and natural, and the CPU usage is low.  It's beautiful integration.

> I want to spend my money on guitars and women, not software.
 
Finally I've worked out where I am going wrong...

CakeAlexS
How does one acquire, on average, 2,487 posts per year?
Here is the shortcut:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FAQ-Coffee-House-FAQ-m2562670-p837.aspx

back on topic, i consider the pro-channel to be a business strategy