I have a Maschine Studio controller running Maschine 2.2, NI Audio 6 interface, and would like to use it within a DAW.. I have a old version of Sonar 3 Producer and noticed I can upgrade to the new one for a great price.
 
Heres my worries.. I was in Guitar Center yesterday and salesmen there said Cakewalk buggy and considered to be a mid-level program compared to Ableton and ProSonus.. Im not in the position to say I agree with that statement given all I've ever used was Sonar BUT if I'm going to spend money, I want to do so on the right program. I want a program that offers great MIDI capabilities/features . I'm also looking at getting a MIDI keyboard to use with a DAW and would like feedback on whats best to use with Sonar should I go that route.
 
With that said, Im not trying to be a big producer, in fact it's been 7 years since I've dabbled with a DAW/music..

Sonar is the great grandchild of one of the best early sequencers, and has not gone entirely to the dark side as it morphed into a sound recording application. I think you will find that it is one of the best implementations of MIDI and softsynth host applications available at any price. For purely sound recording and editing, there may be better, but for the price, Sonar is likely to give you the best bang for the buck on MIDI, and good value on audio only.

Semi_Perfect
I was in Guitar Center yesterday and salesmen there said Cakewalk buggy and considered to be a mid-level program compared to Ableton and ProSonus..

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the forums! Take your time. There are plenty of folks here that can and will help you make the right choice. I started with Guitar Tracks Pro back in 03' I think. I've upgraded ever since. Now I use Sonar Platinum. I have friends with Pro Tools, and Ableton, etc and for me I chose Sonar.People here are at all levels. Remember that the guy you got your info from worked at  Guitar Center. That's all I'm going to say about that. Give the forums as much specs on your system so they can give you the best information. There are no dumb questions so don't feel intimidated. We all started exactly where you are. Be sure to check out all the forums here and Have Fun!

There are demos available for both Studio One and Ableton Live. Live is a very different program compared to SONAR, I use it for live performance and use SONAR in the studio. Studio One is a well-crafted program but I find SONAR far more versatile. I don't think the Studio One designers would disagree with that, they targeted Studio One very specifically. However its CD assembly page is really good. I use it instead of CD Architect.
 
As to the Guitar Center guy...I'd bet he hasn't used SONAR or if he has, it was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. SONAR is far from a mid-level program. Even the least expensive version has very impressive technology.

Semi_Perfect
I have a Maschine Studio controller running Maschine 2.2, NI Audio 6 interface, and would like to use it within a DAW.. I have a old version of Sonar 3 Producer and noticed I can upgrade to the new one for a great price.
 
Heres my worries.. I was in Guitar Center yesterday and salesmen there said Cakewalk buggy and considered to be a mid-level program compared to Ableton and ProSonus.. Im not in the position to say I agree with that statement given all I've ever used was Sonar BUT if I'm going to spend money, I want to do so on the right program. I want a program that offers great MIDI capabilities/features . I'm also looking at getting a MIDI keyboard to use with a DAW and would like feedback on whats best to use with Sonar should I go that route.
 
With that said, Im not trying to be a big producer, in fact it's been 7 years since I've dabbled with a DAW/music..

Mid level? That is ridiculous. Clearly he knows nothing. Sonar Platinum Cubase and Logic are the big three in DAWs you can add PT to it if you like. But PT was only good with its own hardware for DSP support. It may still be best that way, I don't know.  But for native support and features plus OMF support its the big three that are really pro quality. If a DAW does not support OMF I can't see how anyone can call it pro.   

I'm guessing the Guitar Center guy isn't speaking from personal experience but more as the head of a long chain of Chinese Whispers which probably originated somewhere on Gearslutz 

Pretty much all DAWs have the same core capabilities and vary in functionality and workflow. Specific questions will yield better answers/advice, since simply throwing out a brand name and asking what people think will pull the full gambit (in any industry).
 
A good start would be to ask you what genre of music are you looking to record? How are you "foreseeing" your workflow?
 
As far as "bang for the buck" it is pretty widely accepted that SONAR ranks very highly on such a list (if it existed).

thanks for the info guys.. sounds like Sonar is way to go.. for $199 for producer as upgrade is reasonable. The guy at Guitar Center said BitWig, Presonus, and Ableton were the 3 he would recommend.. he demoed Ableton for me, but it seemed quite nice but its a arm and a leg
 
as for system specs
i7-3.4 ghz, 3rd gen..
16 GB Ram
256 SSD
2 TB 7200 RPM drive
Nvidia GT 670 2 GB
 
I'm using two M-Audio Studiophile BX5's for monitors
I have a Ronald Fantom XG synth but it so bulky, id rather not use as midi keyboard controller thus, wanting a smaller controller.
 

When I bought a copy of sonar at gc the guy behind the counter looked at the box and said "wow... That's cakewalk?" With a puzzled look on his face. Pretty funny... And speaking from the perspective as a former gc salesperson (22? Years ago) if we can sell the more expensive product we will.
GC here in sf has some good people in the pro audio dept but I would never go into it blindly. Always build a relationship.
That being said, i would take Craig's advice and demo other programs as well. One thing to remember is that many midi keyboards come with lite versions of ableton live that you can try.
Sonar is a joy to use and very intuitive. Not mid-level at all. There should be a demo soon as well. The upgrade price can't be beat. Since you've been using maschine studio, bear in mind that the creation process is significantly different but not so much that you'll get lost.