Hi all, I've been a long time Sonar owner - since the earliest versions, but have hardly ever used it. I own a small production studio - we do a lot of film work - on the video side, but we're now getting requests for high level audio work / composing / sound design - even songwriting. I've spent the last two weeks diving into learning Sonar - it was a breeze, and I'm excited to use it - but the FX selection is overwhelming, and there seem to be a lot of redundancies.  Would be grateful if the community here could offer some clarification on the following questions:
 
1. There are 6 suites (Essential, Classic Creative, Studio Mixing, Engineering, Botique, Prochannel). I own PLATINUM, Can you please shortcut this for me? Is it a correct assumption that between the ProChannel modules, the Botique suite, and the Engineering suite - I'm covered? Are these the "top level" versions, and the other suites are just redundant "lesser" or "lower quality" or "older" versions of the same types of FX? For example - between Breverb and ReMatrix Solo - I'd have a Digital and a Convolution reverb, and really don't need any other reverbs, do I? In a general sense anyway.  Does the same logic follow for other types of FX? Would I be missing out on really great plugins if I only looked at these "platinum exclusive" FX?
 
2. By "Engineering Suite" - I'm assuming these are tailored to mastering / final mixing?  
 
3. I noticed in the browser - in the Plugins Dropdown menu - if I select "Platinum FX" to narrow down the choices - I see many of the FX that are "Platinum Exclusives", but I also see FX from all the other suites, many that seem much older, so I'm wondering why they're included under "Platinum FX".
 
Please chime in if you can provide clarity on what delineates the different "Suites" - in a way that eliminates time wasted on learning redundant FX.  I just want to get up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible - and not waste time on familiarizing myself with plugins that are redundant or legacy plugins.  I'm a certified mixing engineer - so I have a firm grasp on mixing / processing - but am not familiar with all of the Sonar plugins.  For example - IF the prochannel Quadcurve EQ is an absolutely killer EQ - then I don't want to take the time to learn about the million other EQ's available in Sonar - UNLESS that logic is somehow naive of me.  Please weigh in.  Thanks in advance to everyone who can offer any perspective!
Best,
Christopher

I hope someone chimes in ... me too with more stuff that I know how to use.
 

I think the general consensus you're going to get is that the various plugins have different plusses and minuses and there's no simple answer to your question.  I'm not an audio engineer or an experienced producer so I can only provide my feedback based on limited knowledge.  Take for example the EQ's provided with Sonar:
Quad-Curve EQ: Nice 6-band parametric EQ with 3 modes which supposedly emulate different EQ's.  Nice controls with spectrum analyzer and works in the ProChannel.  I'm pretty sure this should be your go-to EQ for the track unless you don't use ProChannel.  I get the feeling that it requires a decent amount of CPU power but I am not totally sure about that.
Sonitus EQ: Much older parametric EQ that seems to have been highly regarded back in the day.  It's very light on CPU and also has a bunch of bands, though no spectrum analyzer.  The only reason I'd say you'd want to use this instead of the Quad-Curve is if you're doing an effect just on a specific clip or if you want an EQ in an FX chain.  Other than that I don't see why you'd use it instead of the Quad-Curve.
BlueTubes EQ's:  There's quite a few of these that come with Sonar.  I believe the deal with these is that they emulate the sound of more vintage equipment.  I think most of them are basically 3-band shelving EQ's that impart some sort of color into the sound.  I generally haven't messed with these much but they seem to be highly regarded in various forums on the web.  I guess the advantage of these is that they are simpler. . . not so many options like a parametric EQ.  A quick knob turn here and there and it sounds good.
LP-64: This is apparently a linear mastering EQ.  I haven't really mastered anything yet and I'm not sure what exactly a "linear" EQ is, but I hear it's CPU intensive and people only recommend using it on the master bus during mastering.
 
Anyway the above is only in regards to the EQ, and I'm sure someone more knowledgeable could write a book just on them.  As you can see there's no simple answer on which plugins are good and which are useless. . it depends on your needs and preferences.  I do totally agree on the philosophy or using just a few plugins and learn them really well, I guess you just need to figure out which plugins those are.
 

As a general rule of thumb for all DAWs, use the most recent version of a genre - older versions are included for backward compatibility. For example, the PerfectSpace reverb is not as good a performer as REmatrix Solo, and I prefer Breverb to the Sonitus reverb. But if you call up older projects where you used the older plug-ins, you'll be glad they're installed. 
 
Don't forget you can exclude plug-ins using the plug-in manager so they don't show up.
 
As to EQ, that's a whole other thing...I spent a lot of time on the subject at my GearFest seminar. My general advice would be use the QuadCurve EQ (which has four different curves) first, but be aware of how the different curves work so you can choose the right tool for the right job. Then experiment with the Blue Tubes one to find out what they can do. The Linear phase LP-64 is the most "surgical" of the bunch, which is why it's a good choice for mastering where you've gone beyond the "add character" stage.

While it's true, there is quite a bit of redundancy across all the plugin fx suites, it's also true that not all the types of fx are interchangeable.

For whatever reason some people fall in love with a particular fx while others prefer another. I'd suggest you install them all and as the need arises pick your personal toolbox of fx as you become familiar with them. They become the equivalent to an artists palette. I'm a bit of a plugin junkie and have hundreds more than I need but just as I truly come to believe that, I find a use for one that I haven't used in ages. Only that plugin will do. So I feel justified in my plugin gluttony.

Much of this stuff is subjective so what matters is that you deliver the sound your clients want. If a selection of 20 plugins will help do that for you then all the better. Rest assured there are enough plugins that come with Sonar Platinum that you can work totally in the box without running out and buying a bunch of extras.

Having said all that it will also depend on the medium for your finished product as Sonar is short on some of the Mastering tools needed. Not in the fx line but in project completion for media esp Redbook CD, so you may need to look at that. A program like DVD or CD architect from Sony will take care of that as easily as a bunch of others. Hope that helps.

So grateful to all of you for your input.  It's invaluable - and it has given me a much clearer perspective - and verified some of my earlier thoughts.
 
Don't let that stop anyone else from weighing in - but just wanted to say thanks to those who have thus far - MUCH appreciated!!
 
Christopher

Anderton
Don't forget you can exclude plug-ins using the plug-in manager so they don't show up.

 
Yeah, this is what I do for both my effect and synth VST's. More recently I have trimmed down my VST and VSTi lists down quite a bit. I generally ask myself, "when was the last time I used this?" And do I miss it...
 
For me it's a hindrance because having acquired so many plug-ins over the last five years, either freebies or purchased, I just don't have the time to learn each and every one of them to their full potential.
 
I think my own issue lies with the effects though, and is here that I have made the more drastic "cuts." I mainly only use reverb, delay (include chorus in that because I don't have a dedicated chorus effect), EQ, compression (although not as much now) and limiter (used in rather than a compressor). But I have kept some effects on my "list" just to remind me to give them a go one day.

Christopher, the only plugin I would recommend that you download extra is Vladg's Limiter #6. It is freeware and is a much better limiter than what comes with Sonar in my opinion.

rlared
Christopher, the only plugin I would recommend that you download extra is Vladg's Limiter #6. It is freeware and is a much better limiter than what comes with Sonar in my opinion.

There's also George Yohng's W1 limiter. Freeware, and an emulation of the Waves L1.
 
If you don't need multiband limting, I have to say the Concrete Limiter is exceptional. That "Bass" switch is fantastic when limiting drums.

Another general though about effects: The PX-64 and VX-64 appear to have redundant effects - compressor, EQ, transient shaper, delay, etc. However, they're focused on the specific task (percussion and vocals) and so you can often get results faster. The Transient Shaper in the PX-64 doesn't seem to have as much lookahead as the TS-64, and the delay in the VX-64 is brilliant in terms of being able to shape the frequency response. I use both of those plug-ins a lot. The PX-64 is also excellent with bass.