Software Vs. Keyboard Workstation

I've been looking at Sonar X3 Producer and want to buy it.  However, what put me on this path was I was going to buy a Roland Fantom X6 workstation keyboard, but then this guy was telling me that since I already own a keyboard that can connect to my computer - I should just get software to accomplish what I want.

What I want is better sounds, more sounds, and better recording capabilities.  So, looking at Sonar X3, it says it has all these instruments and sounds.  Will it fill the same purpose that the Fantom X6 would have filled?  Sounds that interest me are like pianos, strings, synths, pads, arpeggiator stuff, etc.

Also, when I say - better recording capabilities - I don't want to get lost in a world of production.  I just want to create music for the sake of creating it and could give a crap if anyone ever hears it.   Just more tracks, ability to plug my guitar in, my alesis DM10 drums, mics and - annoy the neighbors.

Thanks!

If you were looking to get a Fantom X6, you will probably want something like Komplete 9 Ultimate or Omnisphere in addition to Sonar. At the cost of a hefty chunk of hard drive space, these will give you the well-rounded bread and butter sounds collection you're looking for, in high quality. However, there is a very decent selection of basic sounds in Sonar X3 Producer. Addictive Drums especially is great, and you can turn to Dimension Pro for a broad variety of sounds. Dimension's sounds won't match what Kontakt or Omnisphere can deliver, but you could definitely get by with them and wait for a nice sale on either of those. The included synths like Z3TA and Rapture are already beyond what you'll get on the Fantom. I also found the SI-Strings instrument (acoustic string ensemble) quite useful, if limited in its range of sounds.

I still play a keyboard live (Korg Kronos 88) and prefer the coherence of sound and quick sound changing/setting up I get with a decicated board over a laptop based solution (which I've done). But in the studio, for songwriting or recording, definitely a computer based DAW.

You'll need a soundcard/interface too though! Something basic will do I suppose, as long as you can plug in your mic and guitar. Still, it will add another 150/200 to the budget. The Focusrite Scarlett series seems to be quite popular on this board, I seem to hear nothing but good things about them.

Also, your computer needs to be at least semi recent (i5 or i7 based would be best), with at least 4GB (hopefully 8) of RAM, and not completely filled with junk.

Looks like you're all set! Assuming your keyboard has a USB midi driver, that's how you connect it.

The Fantom X6 actually has a pretty reasonable sequencer, but yes it is still very limited and fussy to work with compared to a computer based solution - at least if you're not averse to sitting in front of a screen and clicking your mouse for most edits. Which seems unlikely considering your (home-built) system :)

I think the main thing you'll notice is that a DAW is much more "modular" and if you're serious about what you want to do, you're probably not done spending. For instance, after a while you may find you want a better piano - so you buy Ivory, or Addictive Keys, or Alicia's Keys, it's your pick, they will all run as a plugin instrument in your DAW. Same with fx, you may find you're missing one or want a better version of something, you can infinitely expand. This is a whole new mindset compared to a workstation. And while it's great, it's also something to be wary of - as you said, you want be making music, not spend too much time engineering. A workstation forces you to work with what there is, which can fuel the creative process, compared to clicking through endless lists of presets on the various synths in your DAW.

But I'm sure you'll manage, sorry for the lecture. Still think this is a great choice for your situation!

Completely understand that and agree. I use Ableton for that type of thing. In the past I've used Mainstage and Brainspawn forte. But as a keyboard player doing a lot of commercial band stuff, I'm just a lot quicker and ultimately better sounding with my Kronos.

Sanderxpander, I don't "think" the clicking around will bug me too much.  Though, I wonder if using my laptop would make more sense.  It has a quad-core amd processor, and 4GB (maybe 8) of RAM.  Not sure if that drop in specs would matter.   Alternatively, Dell has touchscreen monitors that are a couple hundred bucks.  I wonder if a touch interface would be better (assuming the monitor is right above my existing keyboard)?
 
Sidroe, I don't really intend to play live.  But, it sounds a lot less of a hassle than I thought it'd be.   At least, once I get going, learn everything and all that kind of stuff.  But, it is cool that you can soundcheck and all that without using a third-party.  

Mixmkr, your mentioning of the expansion cards is something else that turns me off about keyboards.  I tried to find videos of what all the sounds and stuff sound like and there are none to be had.  So, it seems like buying expansion cards or whatever is a leap-of-faith in a sense.  I'll look into Omnisphere, and all the other things people mentioned.  I wonder if I'm going to have to sell my girlfriend sooner or later?

I don't see a song link there, guess something went wrong on your end or mine.
Your laptop would probably be able to do it, but your desktop will be faster... the question is really whether you want to have a dedicated place for your music vs bringing it with you in a smaller version.
 
I haven't used a touch screen but everyone on here that has has been waxing lyrical about them.
 
Definitely check out Omnisphere and/or Komplete. Both of them go on sale from time to time (I got Komplete Ultimate during the last huge Christmas sale). If you can survive until then without them, you'll save yourself some money. I agree with the others that Dimension Pro isn't excellent, but it will work for some in the mix background stuff.

I would say only you can decide weather certain software sounds better than your keyboard sounds. I have been using a Yamaha S90 since it came out over 10 years ago and I purchased it for the Piano& electric piano sounds, the keyboard was made very well compared to the way digital keyboards are made now. I mean action of the keyboard and less plastic exterior. I have totally replaced all sound from this keyboard with software including the Piano. I think the software today sounds better than the internal sounds of the S90. So, my opinion is that if you find a quality keyboard controller you can do everything you need to, assuming you have your DAW set up right with a decent audio interface so you can plug guitars and mics into it as you mentioned. Sonar X3 and some quality piano & synth software and your all set to go.

I think the included SI-Strings will do pretty decently, perhaps with some stacking.
 
Oh and I thought I had seen Omnisphere for around 380 at some point? I honestly haven't kept track of it, you may well be right.