Hi there
 
New boy here, so please be gentle with me :)
 
I'm fairly new to computer-based DAWs. For quite a few years I'd been using standalone multitracks, but recently (on a recommendation) I downloaded the free version of PreSonus Studio One
 
It seems fine, but then I don't know any different. My question, therefore, is this: Why do you use Sonar? What does it have that elevates it above other DAWs?
 
Thanks in advance for any replies :)

For me, the core of this decision comes down to choosing the application that works with me the way I think; matches the way I work.  Second to that is stability/reliability and then overall value.
 
There are some I've used that made me feel like I was fighting the application in order to use it.
 

i think there is a demo for SONAR give it a try...

The free trial has not beem released. Historically, it was made available after an update or two.

If you're new to computer recording, trying demos may be a really steep learning curve, and trying to figure out what is best for YOU, may be difficult actually.

I jumped into Sonar because I use a PC, and wanted the best MIDI implementation at the time.  I was previously using Adobe Audition, which lacked MIDI back then.
 
I think if you describe WHAT you'd like to be able to do, will help in answering your question as well and you may find you'll need some audio interfaces, that you may not have considered.

BUT...Sonar is typically very stable, as a lot of DAW software likes to crash, has a lot of extra stuff, so you normally don't need MORE software to get started.  IOW it has drums, synths, FX... probably more than you'll ever use, but it is a complete package.  Also it is a company that seems to really care about its' customers.
 
However, Studio One will be similar in many ways and can be a fine program too.  I think Cake offers more in the long run.  Also, these forums are a GREAT source for help figuring out things.

Welcome to the forum Mark. 
 
Sonar is a very deep program and can handle just about anything thrown at it. Yet its very easy to do most things with it. The things one is likely to do most often. When you look at the list of features and abilities it is a very long one but it doesn't tell you that most of the features are easy to access or that getting them is fairly intuitive.
 
One other big advantage is the no compromise way Sonar runs with Windows. It follows the Windows standard better than most any other DAW.   
 
 

Hi Markydesad,
I use several DAW's, but here are my big three main reasons for sticking with Sonar -
1. You can have multiple audio clips sounding at the same time on one track. Seems silly, but Cubase and some others don't allow this and it just drives me nuts when doing punch-ins.
2. Track templates. I can save multiple tracks with routing and FX intact for easy recall. Again, there are others that just don't do this.
3. VST3 and ARA. 'nuff said.

That said, there are certainly things that bug me about Sonar...the Audiosnap stuff leaves many things to be desired (especially when trying to edit multi mic drum setups), fully flexible routing and playlists would be nice as well. On balance though, the pros outweigh the cons, particularly when I can just export out to another DAW where I "don't fear" (*ahem*) multi-mic transient editing.
 
Good luck,
Dean

I use Sonar because it's stable, easy to use and just fits the way I like to work perfectly. Aside from that I feel Sonar has the best value for your money. Above all else support is second to none. The Cakewalk team goes above and beyond to please their customers and that's one of things that matters most to me.

I use SONAR because I started with it in the 90s and I have upgraded all but one release (SONAR 2). 
 
I own Studio One Pro and Reaper. I find SONAR more intuitive. Others may not. I'm cool with that. There is no "one size fits all" DAW, but for me SONAR just feels like home.
 
I'm not a fanboy. I do see shortcomings in design that I wish were addressed but those are personal desires. They may not be what the masses want/need. And none of them stop me from making music.

I'm a Windows guy, so choosing ProAudio/SONAR was a no-brainer. So reason #1 would be "platform support and integration". It does Windows; it does it well; it doesn't try to do anything else.
 
Also, there's "entrenchment" - I've used this software for 20+ years. It would take a hell of a lot to switch at this point.
 
Reason #3 would be multi-track MIDI editing in the Piano Roll view. I believe (I may be wrong, see above) that Cakewalk/SONAR has always been ahead of the pack in this area, and it is important to me.
 
Is SONAR perfect? No. I could fill several posts with things I don't like about it. But that doesn't matter so much as *knowing how to use* the product, and there's a lot in it that I do like, very much.