garry
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Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
X3 is on sale this month. My projects are typically 16 - 24 tracks of audio (guitar based rock band). The only MIDI I use is to create a click track and to extract MIDI notes for kick/snare enhancement or replacement via Session Drummer. No loops. Basically Sonar is just a big tape deck with unlimited tracks and digital editing for me.
So what is new in X3 Producer that would make me want to spend the $150? I've been known to suffer from GAS, especially when stuff is on sale, but X2 has been mostly flawless for me. I'm in the final stages of mixing our album, so if X3 has some whiz bang feature that will help those mixes, now is the time to upgrade. CD needs to be on its way to the plant by mid May...
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Grumbleweed_
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/19 12:12:25
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For me X3 works much better than X2 ever did but in your shoes you should not mess things around if X2 works and you are mid-project. You could always get X3 and save it for a rainy day  . Grum.
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vladasyn
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/19 13:06:59
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X3 is more stable for me, but no super features other than Addictive Drums that you may like better than SD.
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jude77
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/19 17:44:24
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I use both regularly and other than the new plugins that came with X3 I can't see a difference. X2 ran perfectly for me.
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Dream Logic Audio
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/19 17:52:15
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The integrated Melodyne functionality alone is worth the upgrade, IMO.
Kenn
i7 2600k │Win 7x64 │VS-100 Interface │Sonar Platinum │Melodyne Editor │Waves Diamond │Ozone 5 Advanced │All Slate Digital Plugs │QL Spaces │Hollywood Orchestral Diamond │EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Platinum & Symphonic Choirs & Silk & Gypsy & RA & Voices of Passion & Stormdrum 2 & Goliath & Solo Violin & The Dark Side & Pianos & Ministry of Rock 2 │Superior Drummer 2 │Addictive Drums 2 │Sample Modeling Libraries │Komplete │Sibelius
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Paul P
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/19 23:31:33
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There really isn't much difference (for your requirements) between X2 and X3 except for a lot of bug fixes.
Sonar Platinum [2017.10], Win7U x64 sp1, Xeon E5-1620 3.6 GHz, Asus P9X79WS, 16 GB ECC, 128gb SSD, HD7950, Mackie Blackjack
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Scoot
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 07:50:28
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Be aware, that Melodyne registration brings with it an opportunity to upgrade to Melodyne Editor from Essential version, this offer last for 2 weeks. Nothing seems documented to this offer, but everyone seems to receive it after registration. It cost 150 dollars more, so if this appeals, make sure you have the cash available to feed both in a short time window.
Addicive drums2 looks to be a free upgrade for buyers who purchased since March, but so far there has been no confirmation that applies to those who purchased with Sonar, but it looks possible. It comes 16th may, but what is extra in AD2 is yet unknown. AD1 is sweet though!
HP ENVY Notebook - 15t-k100 CTO i7 -4510U CPU @ 2.00 GHZ 8gb RAM. Windows 8.1 64bit Full HD Touchscreen Sonar X3 Producer, AAS Complete set, XLN AD Keys and Drums, TH2 Roland Quad Capture, AudioTeckina 3035 Mic and ATH-M50 Headphones. Korg Nanopad2, WX5 Midi Sax, , Soprano Sax, Alto and Soprano Flute, Acoustic Guitar and Epiphone Dot Scoot not scook
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gswitz
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 08:02:19
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comping is cool and improved.
VST3
Gobbler integration for backing up projects to the cloud
Improved Touch
Flyout EQ with spectral analysis in the background
Color-coding tracks based on target bus... this makes it easy to color code your drum tracks or vocals or whatever.
For me it's a no-brainer. I figure if I'm making recordings once a month, it's worth it.
In general i use Sonar as you do, but I also use it as a practice machine. Turns out I don't write a lot of songs. I spend most of my time trying to learn songs my friends want to play. Seems like they never learn songs I like to play :-(
Best! G
StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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mmorgan
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 08:41:37
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I find it to be more stable. Fast comps are super cool, the fly-out in the quad curve EQ is the bomb, Melodyne ARA integration. You could always take a look at the videos available showing the new features.
For the price the upgrade is a no-brainer in my opinion.
Regards,
Mike Win8(64), Sonar X3e(64) w/ RME Fireface UFX.
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garry
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 08:42:55
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I think I'm going to go for it. It's only money. And now that "e" has been released, X3 is probably pretty solid.
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2:43AM
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 08:56:05
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garry
So what is new in X3 Producer that would make me want to spend the $150? I've been known to suffer from GAS, especially when stuff is on sale, but X2 has been mostly flawless for me. I'm in the final stages of mixing our album, so if X3 has some whiz bang feature that will help those mixes, now is the time to upgrade. CD needs to be on its way to the plant by mid May... Garry, I was on the fence for a looong time before I upgraded. I got a special discount price that helped my decision a lot, but if I needed to spend $150 then I think I would have done it anyway. To me, the X3 features that I like the most are, besides about 10,000 bug fixes, the following: 1. Clearer, more colorful (plus contrasty) track view display. 2. Fly-out ProChannel EQ with built in equalizer. This is an awesome feature that should have been done long ago. 3. The included Blue Tube effects. The Gate works very well with my external hardware to cut out some noise floor issues. No other gate worked for me (i.e. Sonitus or freebies). 4. Track/bus color customization. This does in fact help me keep organized in an otherwise ADD-world! A bulk majority of my work is in both MIDI and bounced-down audio. I don't use VST synths much. One of my favorite VST synths (Largo) has some issues with X3, unfortunately. Also, X2 projects working in X3 don't seem to play nice together.
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garry
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 09:06:33
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2:43AM
Also, X2 projects working in X3 don't seem to play nice together.
Now that's a concern. I can finish the band's first CD in X2, but we have 8 more songs that are half-done already in X2. What kind of issues have you seen working on projects started in X2?
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2:43AM
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 09:31:41
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garry
Now that's a concern. I can finish the band's first CD in X2, but we have 8 more songs that are half-done already in X2. What kind of issues have you seen working on projects started in X2?
You know what, after thinking about it further, I suppose some of my X2 vs. X3 project issues have come from my plugins. There is also a count-in issue that STILL exists (for me) in X3 the same as it did in X2...and X2 projects in X3 exhibit the same behavior regardless. So I may have to retract that statement from my post. I think we should let others comment on this to be sure.
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2:43AM
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/04/20 09:31:41
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sicsa1
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 05:38:44
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Hi,the stability of x3 is much better than x2 but have many problems here also.
Melodyne is good. I had x1 prod,x2 prod and x3 prod and i think that is the x3 is better . I use 20-30 channel per project with many vsti.( win7 64 bit)
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MorganT
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 15:04:37
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I don't know that I'd upgrade mid-project with a looming deadline, but I WOULD at least purchase it, and install once the project is done. It's been a huge upgrade from my standpoint.
(1) ProChannel EQ with flyout and visual - VERY helpful
(2) Comping far far far quicker and easier.
(3) Melodyne - worth the Sonar upgrade money alone. Love it so much I bought the full version at the upgrade price, and THAT's been worth the money many times over.
(4) Addictive Drums. Huge step up from Session Drummer/ etc.
(5) Blue Tubes effects.
Plus more.
Love it.
________________________ Sonar Platinum / Sweetwater Creation Station i5 @ 3.33 Ghz / 12 GB RAM / 64-bit / Fosusrite Scarlett 18i8 interface
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Grem
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 15:19:06
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Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
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karma1959
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 16:27:23
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I think most have covered it above, but upgrading from X2 Pro to X3 Pro was a good deal for me. I think the major selling points of X3 Pro are:
- increased stability
- Melodyne essential integrated
- quad curve EQ flyout
- improved comping.
I think these were more than worth the upgrade price.
Russ
Sonar Platinum x64 on Win10 64, Dell T7400 w/ 8 Xeon cores, 8 Gbyte RAM, 3 hard drives, RME Fireface UFX, UAD-1, Mackie Control, Adam A7X
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Grem
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 16:59:41
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Suggestions:
You can buy it. I would recommend it for sure.
Install it along side X2. They can co-exist on the same PC.
Keep working on your project in X2.
Play with X3 in the mean time.
If no issues crop up, use X3 to finish your project.
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
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scook
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 17:04:41
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If I was in the middle of a significant project, I would defer installation until after the project was completed. There are significant changes to plug-in management in X3. The plug-in manager and VST scanner are shared utilities used by all version of SONAR installed on the machine. While it should not be a problem, why risk it?
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garry
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/01 18:03:34
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I decided to upgrade, but not this month. The price hasn't gone down from the usual $149. I expect there will be other monthly specials and maybe even a price drop as we get closer to X4 being released in the fall. I don't need more compressors. Thanks for all the replies.
I have two weeks to get this CD to the pressing plant, so I'm a bit focused right now. BTW, the one song/project that got corrupted (discussed in another thread) was deemed dead by Cakewalk, so that last mix of that song is what will go on the album. Lucky for me, I like the mix.
I recently had a few crashes in X2 that I hadn't seen before. I have started converting vocal tracks to V-Vocal and have seen X2 crash three times recently when hitting the end of the V-Vocal clip. Usually no harm done aside from a lost mix tweak or two. I'm being anal-retentive about hitting ctrl-S now.
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MorganT
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/02 08:51:00
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I had the same problem intermittently with V-Vocal in X2. X3 has been really stable for me, but with Melodyne in X3 I haven't touched V-Vocal.
Good luck wrapping the project.
________________________ Sonar Platinum / Sweetwater Creation Station i5 @ 3.33 Ghz / 12 GB RAM / 64-bit / Fosusrite Scarlett 18i8 interface
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tecknot
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/05/02 20:27:25
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I don't think you will regret the buy, particularly once you work with Melodyne. Celemony might still offer an excellent upgrade price for their Editor version (which includes DNA).
But waiting to purchase just before the release of the next version of SONAR is a smart move since they usually do offer a free upgrade to the latest. However, I do recall Cakewalk changing that policy previously...can't remember if they reinstalled it or not. I'm a regular upgrader so those offers don't apply to me. What's really cool about having both, the Bakers iron out new features (like comping, for instance) in the new version. However, the change may not be to your liking. So, having the previous version may be just right for you in that respect. It's a win win in my book.
Kind regards,
tecknot
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SilverfoxUK
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/08/27 05:55:54
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I'm thinking of upgrading from X2p to X3p as the price is currently £59 which is quite good (I assume X4 will be announced soon)
However, I'm only even considering upgrading because X2 (which I have really enjoyed) crashes randomly. Sometimes it's comping, sometimes it's something else. The last time I saved then closed a project and bang - crash.
X2 was abandoned and Cakewalk wants me to upgrade to X3 as it is more stable. I'm not sure that is fair or a nice way to treat loyal customers.
Some will say "it's your PC" whilst others currently say "X3 is much more stable for me" you can't have it both ways...
I don't even care for the new X3 features. What a pain.
X3 64bit (final update) Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Gigabyte SKT-1155 P67A-UD5 B3 Intel i5 2400 Sandybridge Quad core 6 GB Corsair RAM V-STUDIO 100 (Driver 1.50) M-AudioAxiom 49 Korg PadKontrol BCF2000
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alistairc
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/08/27 08:08:13
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I upgraded from X2 to X3 in the last round of Calkwalk offers. I didn't have many issues with X2 crashing, but X3 does seem more stable, and feels a little faster and smoother (that's a subjective comment, it's just a feeling). I don't think that X3 has ever crashed for me since I installed it while X2 had occasional unexplained crashes, but I guess lots of the issues will come down to combinations of DAW version, plugin versions and ASIO drivers. Maybe X3 just handles some of those better than X2 did.
Alistair C.
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fb.seeker
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/08/27 17:13:49
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"Upgrade to X3Producer" I puchased Late Sept 2013.
But Melodyne Essentials and Addictive Drums 1/2? not sure.
These may or may not be part of the new upgrade.
Coming up on that date for X4. Of course I don't know new date.
$75 US is 1/2 price I paid which was bargain.
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michael japan
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/08/28 01:51:00
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garry
I decided to upgrade, but not this month. The price hasn't gone down from the usual $149. I expect there will be other monthly specials and maybe even a price drop as we get closer to X4 being released in the fall. I don't need more compressors. Thanks for all the replies.
I have two weeks to get this CD to the pressing plant, so I'm a bit focused right now. BTW, the one song/project that got corrupted (discussed in another thread) was deemed dead by Cakewalk, so that last mix of that song is what will go on the album. Lucky for me, I like the mix.
I recently had a few crashes in X2 that I hadn't seen before. I have started converting vocal tracks to V-Vocal and have seen X2 crash three times recently when hitting the end of the V-Vocal clip. Usually no harm done aside from a lost mix tweak or two. I'm being anal-retentive about hitting ctrl-S now.
Don't know if the price will go down. I go through this every time they come out with a new product. For me, I don't like to get more than one upgrade behind for a few reasons at least. One is, there will usually be more support for the newest product and a lot of the best counsel will come from the people who are keeping up with the upgrades. Second, little things may have been fixed even if you don't use the new soft synths plugs (I only use 3rd party and external synths, plug-ins.) Third, if you get too far behind your pricing will go up when it's time to upgrade to the next level. As for Vvocal, I find it to be a very good product which I want to keep. No comparisons to melodyne--I like them both --just as I like waves and uad plug ins, yamaha and korg keyboards--different colors. For that reason, I leave X1 on my computer.
Windows 10/64 bit/i7-6560U/SSD/16GB RAM/Cakelab/Sonar Platinum/Pro Tools/Studio 1/Studio 192/DP88/MOTU AVB/Grace M101/AKG Various/Blue Woodpecker/SM81x2/Yamaha C1L Grand Piano/CLP545/MOX88/MOTIF XS Rack Rack/MX61/Korg CX3/Karma/Scarbee EP88s/ Ivory/Ravenscroft Piano/JBL4410/NS10m/Auratones/Omnisphere/Play Composers Selection/Waves/Komplete Kontrol
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SilverfoxUK
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Re: Should I upgrade to X3 Producer (from X2 Producer)?
2014/08/28 04:53:33
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Ah well, the marketing team will be pleased to know they snared me; I purchased X3p yesterday.
Installed last night.
Nice to finally be able to colour tracks, but really, X1 should have had this function.
The New large EQ curve looks nice.
Take lanes seems to have been improved.
Hopefully it's more stable... *After closing a X2 project X3 crashed mentioning "Amplitube 3..." Ah. :(
Side note: One thing that really irks me everytime I upgrade - Why can't the new version be aware of previous installations??? Surely in 2014 a software installation program can scan to see if a previous version of the SAME software is already installed on the PC and automatically skip it? before it starts installing Gigs of Dimension Pro samples. Or at least ask me? I mean really?
I know you can choose what to install in advanced installation but "recommended installation" should be intelligent and see what you have installed already. Then it goes ahead and installs Loops and One shots that I already have, and that was not in the advanced options as a choice. FFS.
Vent over...
Hopefully I'll come to love this begrudging upgrade. I'm sure I will as don't get me wrong I have used Sonar since HSXL and have always thought it is basically a good program developed by a decent team.
X3 64bit (final update) Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Gigabyte SKT-1155 P67A-UD5 B3 Intel i5 2400 Sandybridge Quad core 6 GB Corsair RAM V-STUDIO 100 (Driver 1.50) M-AudioAxiom 49 Korg PadKontrol BCF2000
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