Also, if you are on a tight budget try VB3's little brother, the free Organized Trio http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=37
 
Its ony 32 bit but I have not encountered problems with any of the GSi legacy VSTis.
 
At the high end there are a couple of Kontakt libraries if you want something a bit different. Sampletekk's Tonewheel is absoluty filthy for raunchy rock and Hammr+ from Soundust

rscain
 
Comping- It was a little rough at first but I'm finally getting the hang of it.
AD2- Really like the variety and sound of it. I wish it used GM mapping but I finally figured out how to use the AD    drum map so I can live with it.
QC Flyout - Very convenient, and I'm using the QC a lot more since this feature was added
Track Colors - I know it's controversial but I like it
 
I already had a workflow going with Melodyne so the I don't use the integration. Might like it if I did but I'm used to the old way and it works fine for me so....
Don't use the tape sim, don't like the sound I get with it.
I have no need for the TH2 plug, and never liked it much anyway.

The only thing I don't get is the Melodyne workflow. The new one doesn't seem difficult in any way, nor less inflexible than the old way. Just select a clip and CTRL+M. I'd understand if there was more involved but there really isn't. You save seconds if not minutes every single use.
 
Are there any objections you have that I/we could take away?

I have not used comping yet.  I don't even know how to use it.  I need to find a tutorial on it.
 
I really like the melodyne implementation and I use it a lot.

Sanderxpander

rscain
 
Comping- It was a little rough at first but I'm finally getting the hang of it.
AD2- Really like the variety and sound of it. I wish it used GM mapping but I finally figured out how to use the AD    drum map so I can live with it.
QC Flyout - Very convenient, and I'm using the QC a lot more since this feature was added
Track Colors - I know it's controversial but I like it
 
I already had a workflow going with Melodyne so the I don't use the integration. Might like it if I did but I'm used to the old way and it works fine for me so....
Don't use the tape sim, don't like the sound I get with it.
I have no need for the TH2 plug, and never liked it much anyway.

The only thing I don't get is the Melodyne workflow. The new one doesn't seem difficult in any way, nor less inflexible than the old way. Just select a clip and CTRL+M. I'd understand if there was more involved but there really isn't. You save seconds if not minutes every single use.
 
Are there any objections you have that I/we could take away?

No, no specific objections, and as for saving time you're probably right. But I'm an old dog, so......
Actually, I did try it when I first installed X3, but there were some things that confused me a bit, it seems I remember the clip being present in the multidock or something, it's been a while so I really don't remember. I'm sure if I tried it again it would be just like comping was. It was weird at first but with enough use I got to really liking it. The Melodyne implementation would probably be the same, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Yeah the clips turns up in the Multidock. But you can undock it just by dragging or use Shift+D to maximize the multidock... It's just so much quicker 'cause you don't have to do the whole "transfer" thing.

rscain
AD2- Really like the variety and sound of it. I wish it used GM mapping but I finally figured out how to use the AD    drum map so I can live with it.

Could you elaborate on this? I haven't been using AD much but want to, so it seems what you've come up with may make my life easier.

Beagle
I have not used comping yet.  I don't even know how to use it.  I need to find a tutorial on it.
 
I really like the melodyne implementation and I use it a lot.

X3's documentation has some excellent examples on how to use it, but I also think you would find this article very helpful.
 
When i first tried comping, my head exploded but the documentation put it back together again. Highly recommended. I didn't like comping until I went through Cakewalk's examples.

dwardzala
I would love to see an (some) article on loop construction.  Not just on how to use the tool but context on when and why to use the tool.  I've watched a couple of videos on it and can open it and push the buttons, but I am not sure I know what to do with it.

This article might be helpful. But I agree that a full-blown, start-to-finish tutorial on all aspects is something that's probably worth undertaking. Quite a few comments in this thread have mentioned not really "getting" the loop construction window.

For me one of the best features is the quad curve EQ. It was nice to see the color feature back and I use it all the time. Before AD I used session drummer. Now I use Addictive Drums exclusively. I purchased several ad on packs and I like the workflow. I had thought about upgrading from AD to AD 2 but I think i will wait until Sonar 4 is released. Melodyne is also very cool.
 
Strum Acoustic Session is never used. I have used the blue tube effects on occasion but I don't use them all the time. I have not used gobbler and I won't use any touch screen feature anytime soon.

I NEED TO GET INTO THE STEP SeQUENCER...AAAAARGGGHHH!!!!