First Thoughts On Sonar Platinum

My first impressions of the new model were extremely favorable.  The download and installation were both swift and easy, using the new C3.  Fantastic,
 
Initially I loaded some old projects to have a look around, and thought that I had come across some bugs (Sonar closing when canceling "Insert a Track Icon", one screenset being unavailable).
 
On further investigation, these seem to be related to a "Buggy Project" that behaves erratically in X3 as well.
 
Having played around with Sonar Platinum for a few days, I thought that I had little to report - It runs well - smooth seems to be a good description.
 
Vocal Sync works really well.
 
 Rematrix Solo is great - I can finally retire Perfect Space (and so another bitbridge VST).  It sounds excellent, is easy to st up, and a ProChannel module to boot.  Did I mention how much I love the PC?  I now have Rematrix Solo, Breverb and TSAR1-R in the PC.  Cool.
 
The New Control bar works as advertised.  I have the main Sonar view stretched over two monitors, so will not use it too much, but can see how useful it would be on one monitor.
 
Mix recall works brilliantly - I am already reworking some old tracks and comparing the new versions to the old.  I am pleased to say that either my mixing skills are improving, or the tools that I have at my disposal are better..
 
I can't comment on AudioSnap, as I have not used it yet.
 
The new FX Chain guitar amps sound great - thanks Craig - I look forward to playing around with them later.
 
Expandable sends are a godsend - brilliant.
 
I had stopped using the FX Bin and almost converted to PC only, but will use the bin more now, with the advent of FX stacking and plug in recycling.
 
There is much that I have not touched on yet - AD2 (I am an inveterate Toontrack user), PRV zoom, MIDI time stretching, new paint tool, etc.
 
At first I thought that I would be underwhelmed with the new update, but just typing up my experiences so far makes me realise how much is in this update, and I am only just scratching the surface..
 
So, all in all, very pleased so far.

Thanks, John.
 
I think there is a lot here to take in.  The C3 idea alone will be a boon.
 
The more I work with Sonar Platinum, the better it gets.
 
I was initially sceptical of the new "Membership" model.  Now I can see that it will only benefit the end users, like me.  I like the idea of continual updated instead of rolling them all out in one go.
 
Well done, Cakewalk.
 
They manage to think constantly of new ways of dealing with issues - like the PC FX Chain, or the Quad Curve Flyout EQ, and now this.  Genius..

You gotta admire them.

Anderton

jb101
The new FX Chain guitar amps sound great - thanks Craig - I look forward to playing around with them later.

Cool, but wait until you get the final versions in a few days. The ones you have are prototypes that shipped accidentally. The final ones have based on what you have, but are more like "HD" versions.
 
I'm almost done with the Acoustic Guitar amp for the Membership program.

I read your post about that - can't wait to try the finished versions.
 
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

jb101
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

It's nothing radical, just an "amp" designed for acoustic guitars that use piezo pickups (whose sound I generally do not like). I guess the coolest thing about it would be the Vocal Mode switch, which uses a combination of EQ and dynamics to open up space for vocals. 
 
After it's done I want to do a simplified version where you can just click different buttons to tailor (ahem) the acoustic guitar sound.
 
I have a few more guitar amps I want to do, but I also have some ideas for synth and keyboard amps. I often run synths into amps instead of direct, and there are some sounds that really work for me...I want to put those into a plug-in.

cityrat
Any plans for a "jazz" style amp?
 

You mean like this? 
 

 
It's included in the set of 16 for SONAR. I was aiming for a Jazz Chorus-meets-Polytone kind of sound, with the option for a little extra clarity (the Presence button) or grit (the Bite knob). Enabling Open Back cabinet gives a "tighter" sound. Turning on Compress is great for doing Wes Montgomery-style octaves. I think you'll dig it.
 
BTW I'm pretty sure the amps are included in all SONAR versions, not just Platinum.

Anderton

jb101
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

It's nothing radical, just an "amp" designed for acoustic guitars that use piezo pickups (whose sound I generally do not like). I guess the coolest thing about it would be the Vocal Mode switch, which uses a combination of EQ and dynamics to open up space for vocals. 
 
After it's done I want to do a simplified version where you can just click different buttons to tailor (ahem) the acoustic guitar sound.
 
I have a few more guitar amps I want to do, but I also have some ideas for synth and keyboard amps. I often run synths into amps instead of direct, and there are some sounds that really work for me...I want to put those into a plug-in.

Thanks Craig!  This is neat sounding stuff!  I really don't use Amp sims but running a vox track through one.  Hummm...
 

I like that sonar tries to innovate. I work with other engineers using a variety of DAWs (mostly pro tools and logic and Adobe audition). Always seems that sonar is the 're-headed step child (I apologize if anyone is offended). I always constantly finding myself defending Sonar against others and usually without actual arguing. I let my work prove itself and find that more of the regional artists come to me. Thank you cakewalk for hard work and great programs. Also and excellent review Jb can't wait to try the new shiny things myself.

Woodyoflop
Always seems that sonar is the 're-headed step child (I apologize if anyone is offended). I always constantly finding myself defending Sonar against others and usually without actual arguing. I let my work prove itself and find that more of the regional artists come to me. Thank you cakewalk for hard work and great programs.

The tide is turning. I've talked to quite a few people lately who almost flaunt using SONAR, almost as if to say "Yeah, I use this program you dismiss...and look what I'm doing with it. Have a nice day."

What about AD 2. That didn't come with X3. I got AD 1 with an offer to upgrade to AD2 when it came out but I didn't bother.

I reckon we got what we wanted. Stability, more work on the core program and features that improve workflow. Mix recall is a gem and for my thinking it operates intuitively. There are a score of little things that have been refined and while there are not some set off the fireworks kind of geatures I think as a package it's the most stable and mature version of Sonar ever released.

I think there was a lot of work done "under the hood" so to speak.  I also think this is going to enable some of the enhancements we are going to see over the next 12 months.
 
Because of AD2, Vocal Sync, Mix Recall and the new Reverb and Amp Models, I definitely feel I got my money's worth on day 1 (well really day -3 since I got an early invite).  Whatever comes out over the next year will be gravy.  Of course I really only have the plug-ins that Cake has bundled with Sonar of the last few releases.

Craig Signature series lol ...
 
I must emphasis what John Said ....
 
Cakewalk is one of the most dynamic dev around , compared to other players in the game ..... and we really have some exclusive goodies that make our life easier and my collegue cry !!! (just X ray comes to mind , priceless on my laptop config)
 
Looks like the Gibson thing injected a dose of enthousiam and motivation or maybe it's less obstrusiv than Roland (where things move slow)  or maybe it's Craig , or all those things cumulated ...anyway 
 
what Sonar offers is unbeatble  for the price ...if i had this thing years ago i would not have invested in so many 3rd party stuff ...understand here that a new comer that buy Sonar Platnum has a **** great high end studio in his hand , like never before .....
 
Top notch editor (melodyne), top fx, instruments ,concepts ,  engine and summing quality , stability , user oriented interface , flexibility ....and a super great community witch is some also to consider ....
 
Still some stuff can be tweaked  and optimised , but i give it a "hats off" label  ...