tuonium
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Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins.
Hi All, I'm considering getting a copy of Sonar to simplify collaboration with somebody who is using it. I was a Sonar user many moons ago but have since moved to another DAW which I'm reasonably happy with. I'm looking at the different versions and would only need either Artist or Professional. At first glance Professional would seem the obvious choice however I already own the Nomad Factory ISP bundle which includes all the additional Nomad plugins that come with pro, I also own Rapture, Dimension Pro and Z3ta+ 2. I have a core set of 3rd party synths (Zebra, Diva etc) so I'm not worried about losing the couple of additional soft-synths that pro offers over Artist. The other DAW I use already ships with integrated Melodyne Essentials. So, the only feature that stands out as missing from Artist is the (3 module) Pro Channel. Does this single feature make it worth going for Pro over Artist? I suspect not but would like some opinions. I also own Komplete 9 which comes with a number of 'character' effects created by Soft Tube which cover much the same ground as the Pro Channel stuff. I'm currently leaning towards Artist but would appreciate any opinions. Cheers, T
post edited by tuonium - 2015/01/22 19:02:59
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Greeny
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:01:41
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Sounds like artist was made for you but the pro chanel is real nice even if you have similar plugs the workflow is jsut so good. Take the demo for a spin, that way you can see for yourself.
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tuonium
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:05:08
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Yeah I must admit - that is what is tempting me (a lot)!! Having them in-line in the mixer and visible is a lot better than having to click and pin various FX windows open. I've watched a few tutorial videos and the workflow does look smooth.
I'll do as you suggest and take the demo for a spin - didn't see one earlier but will have a dig around the site.
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dubdisciple
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:06:20
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It's hard to go back to artist once you get used to pro channel.
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Drone7 
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:08:15
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Regarding the pro-channel, the benefit would definitely be worth it if "Artist" doesn't have Prochannel functionality. I don't know if "Artist" does or doesn't, i thought it does and that we would simply have to pay for any modules we would like to use. Saturation Knob - Total waste of time Quad Curve EQ - Not needed if you already have a decent EQ, but at least it would be handy for the workflow advantage with the Prochannel. REmatrix Solo - Excellent; worth the entire extra $99 IMO! But with "Professional" you also get Melodyne, plus the "Engineering Suite" with the extra LP-64 Multiband compressor, LP-64 EQ and the Channel tools. I would say Sonar "Professional" is worth every cent of the extra $99.
post edited by Drone7 - 2015/01/22 19:17:20
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tuonium
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:32:57
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Yep - I'll take it for a spin and see. My understanding is that Artist doesn't support the pro-channel functionality at all - that is the framework for adding modules is not present but that could be wrong. Perhaps someone in the know could chime in on that one.
I already a decent set of Mixing/Mastering tools (including Melodyne) - bear in mind that I've built these up over the years - I take your point about REMatrix Solo and will have a look at that.
I'm certain Pro is worth the $99 extra if you're looking for a new-start total solution - in fact that is why I initially picked it as the obvious choice, however it becomes less clear if you already have many of these additional capabilities.
Kudos to Cakewalk for making all their levels provide the same basic functionality! That is a nice touch!
Typically I'd expect an 'Artist' version to have limited tracks or audio capabilities which again would make the difference between Pro and Artist more pronounced!
Cheers,
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gustabo
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:40:02
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tuonium
The other DAW I use already ships with integrated Melodyne Essentials.
Melodyne Essentials may be locked to the other DAW and only usable in that one. I personally think Professional is worth the extra $ over Artist.
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Paul P
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:47:31
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tuonium
I'll do as you suggest and take the demo for a spin - didn't see one earlier but will have a dig around the site.
There is no demo yet, but you can rent the different versions (fully functional) by the month.
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tuonium
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 19:50:37
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OK thanks.
I've decided to go for Pro.
The price point is not so different and the new plugins (excluding those I already own or have full versions of) are still of value, gives me a fresh alternative I guess against some of my favourite standards!
But, I think it is the pro-channel that is really driving my decision :-)
BTW I don't think integrated Melodyne Essentials is tied to a specific DAW - I have accumulated a couple of copies of that product and can use any of the single-track licenses that I own for it interchangeably. It happened to ship also with an early version of Pro Tool I used to use!
Cheers.
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Drone7
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 20:27:23
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tuonium
But, I think it is the pro-channel that is really driving my decision :-)
+1 Initially I went through the same decision as you, but the decision was made pretty easy. The Pro version offers so much more.
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icontakt
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 21:36:21
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If you need to time-stretch audio, choose Professional (which offers AudioSnap and slip-stretching). The quality of time-stretched audio in Artist is very very low (if not improved from X3 base version).
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mudgel
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 21:43:44
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ProChannel is not part of Artist. If you had a previous version of Sonar that had ProChannel it WONT show up in Artist.
As someone said earlier, the framework for it isn't included in Artist. If I was working with some guys, say in a band then I reckon it would be worth the $99 to be able to freely swap files and collaborate.
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John
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 21:47:45
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Something to consider besides PC is that Platinum will have a lot more functionality as the year progresses. Right now it has Vocal sync. Later it will get drum replacer as well as other abilities that will not be in the other versions. The incentive is high to opt for Platinum.
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AT
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/22 22:22:52
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You probably want professional, the middling version. It has Prochannel with the great sounding EQ. And you'll find the PC is great for workflow. Cake tends to put the PC stuff on sale, and the SSL buss comp and CA2A optical comp are worth having.
Since you already have Nomad effects and the Platinum synths you are paying for a lot of stuff you already have. Platinum has some other things you'll probably find helpful and if SONAR becomes your main DAW you'll want. The extra comps make the PC a one-stop shop. If you can upgrade cheaply it is worth it.
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tuonium
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Re: Artist versus Professional - for those that already own many of the additional plugins
2015/01/23 03:57:33
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Thanks all for the advice and opinions. I went for the Pro version in the end. This isn't my main DAW at the moment so couldn't justify the Platinum version. I have a LiquidMix (bit dated) which provides most of my compressor/eq needs besides a number of other plugins covering the same character FX ground.
The point about the improved Audio Snap was important - I mostly do cinematic scoring work using samples however the collaboration this time is with a rock/acoustic players (a real band!) and being able to quantize audio without moving it into my main DAW will be important.
And now having had the chance to play I have to say that the PC EQ is definitely a pleasure to work with - I just wish the fly-out panel was part of Professional. Still good value all round I reckon.
Cheers,
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