Hi All,
 
I'm considering getting a copy of Sonar to simplify collaboration with somebody who is using it.  I was a Sonar user many moons ago but have since moved to another DAW which I'm reasonably happy with.  
 
I'm looking at the different versions and would only need either Artist or Professional.  At first glance Professional would seem the obvious choice however I already own the Nomad Factory ISP bundle which includes all the additional Nomad plugins that come with pro,  I also own Rapture, Dimension Pro and Z3ta+ 2.  I have a core set of 3rd party synths (Zebra, Diva etc) so I'm not worried about losing the couple of additional soft-synths that pro offers over Artist.
 
The other DAW I use already ships with integrated Melodyne Essentials.  
 
So,  the only feature that stands out as missing from Artist is the (3 module) Pro Channel.  Does this single feature make it worth going for Pro over Artist?  I suspect not but would like some opinions.  

I also own Komplete 9 which comes with a number of 'character' effects created by Soft Tube which cover much the same ground as the Pro Channel stuff.
 
I'm currently leaning towards Artist but would appreciate any opinions.
 
Cheers,
T

Sounds like artist was made for you but the pro chanel is real nice even if you have similar plugs the workflow is jsut so good. Take the demo for a spin, that way you can see for yourself.

Yeah I must admit - that is what is tempting me (a lot)!!  Having them in-line in the mixer and visible is a lot better than having to click and pin various FX windows open.  I've watched a few tutorial videos and the workflow does look smooth.
 
I'll do as you suggest and take the demo for a spin - didn't see one earlier but will have a dig around the site.
 
 

It's hard to go back to artist once you get used to pro channel.

Regarding the pro-channel, the benefit would definitely be worth it if "Artist" doesn't have Prochannel functionality. I don't know if "Artist" does or doesn't, i thought it does and that we would simply have to pay for any modules we would like to use.
 
Saturation Knob - Total waste of time
Quad Curve EQ - Not needed if you already have a decent EQ, but at least it would be handy for the workflow advantage with the Prochannel.
REmatrix Solo - Excellent; worth the entire extra $99 IMO! 
 
But with "Professional" you also get Melodyne, plus the "Engineering Suite" with the extra LP-64 Multiband compressor, LP-64 EQ and the Channel tools.
 
I would say Sonar "Professional" is worth every cent of the extra $99. 

Yep - I'll take it for a spin and see.  My understanding is that Artist doesn't support the pro-channel functionality at all - that is the framework for adding modules is not present but that could be wrong.  Perhaps someone in the know could chime in on that one.
 
I already a decent set of Mixing/Mastering tools (including Melodyne) - bear in mind that I've built these up over the years - I take your point about REMatrix Solo and will have a look at that.
 
I'm certain Pro is worth the $99 extra if you're looking for a new-start total solution - in fact that is why I initially picked it as the obvious choice, however it becomes less clear if you already have many of these additional capabilities.
 
Kudos to Cakewalk for making all their levels provide the same basic functionality! That is a nice touch!
 
Typically I'd expect an 'Artist' version to have limited tracks or audio capabilities which again would make the difference between Pro and Artist more pronounced!
 
Cheers,
 

tuonium
The other DAW I use already ships with integrated Melodyne Essentials. 

Melodyne Essentials may be locked to the other DAW and only usable in that one.
I personally think Professional is worth the extra $ over Artist.

tuonium
I'll do as you suggest and take the demo for a spin - didn't see one earlier but will have a dig around the site.
 

There is no demo yet, but you can rent the different versions (fully functional) by the month.
 

OK thanks.
 
I've decided to go for Pro.  
 
The price point is not so different and the new plugins (excluding those I already own or have full versions of) are still of value,  gives me a fresh alternative I guess against some of my favourite standards!
 
But, I think it is the pro-channel that is really driving my decision :-)  
 
BTW I don't think integrated Melodyne Essentials is tied to a specific DAW - I have accumulated a couple of copies of that product and can use any of the single-track licenses that I own for it interchangeably.  It happened to ship also with an early version of Pro Tool I used to use!  
 
Cheers.
 

tuonium
 
But, I think it is the pro-channel that is really driving my decision :-)  
 
 

 
+1
 
Initially I went through the same decision as you, but the decision was made pretty easy. The Pro version offers so much more.