I've already got it: Sonar 8.5 Producer. Works great. my only worry is what happens if I lose the Cd's as they don't sell it anymore.

michael diemer
I've already got it: Sonar 8.5 Producer. Works great. my only worry is what happens if I lose the Cd's as they don't sell it anymore.

Can't you make backup CDs? I haven't installed 8.5 in years but IIRC the registration code or whatever isn't tied to physical media.

Anderton

michael diemer
I've already got it: Sonar 8.5 Producer. Works great. my only worry is what happens if I lose the Cd's as they don't sell it anymore.

Can't you make backup CDs? I haven't installed 8.5 in years but IIRC the registration code or whatever isn't tied to physical media.

Actually, I just did that a couple of days ago. But what if my house burns down? maybe I'll bury them in my yard.

michael diemer

Anderton

michael diemer
I've already got it: Sonar 8.5 Producer. Works great. my only worry is what happens if I lose the Cd's as they don't sell it anymore.

Can't you make backup CDs? I haven't installed 8.5 in years but IIRC the registration code or whatever isn't tied to physical media.

Actually, I just did that a couple of days ago. But what if my house burns down? maybe I'll bury them in my yard.

Safe deposit box!

We have brought this up a few times. Because yes, To run the currant version of Sonar you also need an up to date laptop with good specs. 
I am currently using a Asus netbook for live playback at gigs. Sonar is too much for it as it is pretty gutless @ 1.6 single core. And it only has 2 Gigs of RAM.  And a lot of folks use tablets now. All is fine if we stick to playing Mp3 or Wave files using a basic music player. But I myself would like to have 4 tracks of audio and a midi track to control lights and effects. 
Sure there are some free ware sequencers out there that are low load, but it would make more sense to me to be able to use CWP files. 
 
The wish list is: 
Limited track count for audio.
Midi with a few soft synth slots. 
LYRICS ,,,, LYRICS     LYRICS 
Full featured playback list
Drink holder 
 

Cactus Music
The wish list is: 
Limited track count for audio.
Midi with a few soft synth slots. 
LYRICS ,,,, LYRICS     LYRICS 
Full featured playback list
Drink holder 

In otherwise Cactus - SONAR LIVE :D
 
But yes I agree - a light version that is focused on LIVE or scratchpad .. I suppose a tablet version would be good with live in mind. Something that loads wicked fast without having to have a very high end system. And robust ..
 
In saying that - I think the suggestion to strip out lots via a new template does help. But I am thinking in back of my mind is their alot of stuff loading when started up that could be disabled for purpose of SONAR LIVE / SONAR LIGHT :D
 

Cactus Music
We have brought this up a few times. Because yes, To run the currant version of Sonar you also need an up to date laptop with good specs. 
I am currently using a Asus netbook for live playback at gigs. Sonar is too much for it as it is pretty gutless @ 1.6 single core. And it only has 2 Gigs of RAM.  And a lot of folks use tablets now. All is fine if we stick to playing Mp3 or Wave files using a basic music player. But I myself would like to have 4 tracks of audio and a midi track to control lights and effects. 
Sure there are some free ware sequencers out there that are low load, but it would make more sense to me to be able to use CWP files. 
 
The wish list is: 
Limited track count for audio.
Midi with a few soft synth slots. 
LYRICS ,,,, LYRICS     LYRICS 
Full featured playback list
Drink holder 
 

In this case , the OP stated that he wanted something "that could be installed side by side" his Sonar installation, so presumably whatever pc he is using is already up the task ?

well its a nice rig yes, but it could always be faster... but I see your point most audio only guys dont build there rigs with massive number crunching in mind.  But I do think most computers in todays market handle sonar with ease do they not? I mean who is really using dual cores or 4 gigs of ram anymore? Maybe instead of wanting a watered down version of sonar for 150 bucks how about upgrade some of the computer parts, you are going to need to at some point anyways... so wasting 150 dollars isnt really the best choice in the long run dont you think? 

just my thoughts.. 

Sorry if my post sounded like I think using a old POS laptop is a good idea. It's not. But netbooks and tablets are the right size for some of us.  
My "dream daw" for live performance is not so much about how much CPU or Memory is needed but more about stability and a clean interface. Sonar has become terribly dark and gloomy and for live use 90% of the buttons and knobs are not needed. Another issue is how accidentally hitting a hot key can bring it down. 
 
Really a sort of Music Player GUI for CWP files with just the transport and a static Lyrics window. 

duceirae
.... Maybe instead of wanting a watered down version of sonar for 150 bucks how about upgrade some of the computer parts, you are going to need to at some point anyways... so wasting 150 dollars isnt really the best choice in the long run dont you think? 

just my thoughts.. 

Hi duceirae,
 
Maybe you mistook my OP - Money was not the issue, Im not looking at a scaled down Sonar so as to get for less money. Im just talking of something similar to Cactus Music. A GUI for quick "sketching" with none of the extras. a basic Sonar with midi/audio tracks, vsti access, lyrics window for Cactus Music :D ... a very basic version of Sonar. Something thats nice and light and fast on a reasonable system - desktop or laptop. 
 
This as part of the Sonar bundle. Not to replace Sonar. Use the light version for live and quick sketching, use the full version for production of some of those sketches. Maybe its possible to do with Sonar as it is via templates. 
 
Maybe I am just talking rubbish .. but it just makes sense to me in my own little world inside my head :D