hello all,
 
those who have sonar plat. do you find the instruments that are included are ok?  mainly wondering about pianos, woodwind and brass?
 
also how is the stability of the DAW? i just got home studio and has crashed a bunch..just exploring around..i know there are updates, but went to com. cent. and didn't see anything.
lastly, some folks have reported that when playing a plug in (rapt) the sound breaks..any thoughts on this?
 
thanks all!

SONAR Platinum is very dependable for me, rarely crashes or hangs  -- maybe once every 10 or more sessions.  True Piano, which is included, has some very decent piano sounds.  Dimension Pro and Rapture are decent for most other real instruments.  But generally I use Kontakt-based samples/instruments for brass and other orchestral sounds. I haven't used the included Studio Instruments much.
 
I have not been experiencing ANY problems with the latest update like others have- don't know why.  You should always post a detailed list of your computer, OS, software and audio interface/equipment so people can help you figure out why you are having problems.

jjvibes
 
those who have sonar plat. do you find the instruments that are included are ok?  mainly wondering about pianos, woodwind and brass?

I would say that the included True Pianos has a decent piano sound.
 
For woodwind and brass, Dimension Pro has a few, and some other good sample based, real instruments, but it's not a full blown sampler plugin.  It's more like a synthesizer that can play samples.  But it can only play one instrument at a time. It does have some of the Garritan Pocket Orchestra included.  The sounds that it includes are good, but it doesn't cover everything..
 
If you are looking to arrange a backing band or an arrangement of real sampled instrument sounds, you would probably be happier with something like Native Instruments Kontakt sampler, that has a multi-timbral ability and can handle more than one instrument sound at a time. Samplers usually come with a factory sample library that covers most basic instrument sounds, then you can purchase additional sample libraries according to your specific needs.
 
As far as other 3rd party VST, I will add that I have found that AIR Music Tech Xpand!2 is a cool VST plugin, that has a great selection of sounds.  Like 2300 patches.  It covers every sound I can think of, and then some.  Xpand!2 includes a large, comprehensive collection of instrument presets—everything from the usual drums, bass, keys, strings, brass, etc., to orchestral sounds, synth sounds, and even loops. Each Xpand!2 patch can combine up to four of these preset instruments—called Parts—with control over relative level, tuning, and the ability to split the keyboard for different sounds on different ranges. The four sounds/Parts can all receive MIDI on the same channel (for layering of instruments), or be assigned to receive MIDI notes on different channels, for more complex Patches.
 
I think the brass & woodwinds sound great in this instrument, as well as the orchestral patches.  Overall, I'd say it is more useful for real instrument sounds than Dimension.
 
It's on sale for $1 at AudioDeluxe:
https://www.audiodeluxe.c...instruments/air-xpand2

you can actually get it for free now and save yourself that $1
 
http://djworx.com/everyon...ner-with-worxmas-2016/
 

jjvibes
 
also how is the stability of the DAW? i just got home studio and has crashed a bunch..just exploring around..i know there are updates, but went to com. cent. and didn't see anything.
lastly, some folks have reported that when playing a plug in (rapt) the sound breaks..any thoughts on this?

Stability on a DAW is usually a matter of the interaction between the audio device drivers and the DAW software.  There is also the matter of size of the audio buffers assigned (latency) factor.  This is important if you are using a MIDI keyboard controller to play a virtual instrument in the box.  Too may buffers, and you have a huge lag between pressing a key on the keyboard and hearing a sound.  Too little and your sound breaks up.
 
Most current DAW software is created under the assumption that the user will most likely be using a USB pro audio interface that provides low latency ASIO audio drivers.  There are exceptions for playback only, but if you are serious, you should invest in a basic USB interface for around $99.  Tascam, Focusrite, and Steinberg all make inexpensive, Sonar compatible, audio interfaces.  It is pretty much a requirement if you wish to record from a microphone or a direct instrument line in.  The entire timing and stability of the audio system depends on high performance, low latency drivers.
 
The typical setup is that you plug your USB keyboard controller directly into the PC USB port.  Then you attach the USB audio device to another PC USB port as well (don't forget to install the drivers before plugging the audio unit into the PC).  Then plug the speakers into the audio interface.
 
Play on!

The Grim
you can actually get it for free now and save yourself that $1
 
http://djworx.com/everyon...ner-with-worxmas-2016/
 

Nice!  And direct from AIR too.  They conveniently will also let you upgrade to the AIR Complete Collection for $74.99 as you check out with the Xpand!2 for $0.00, but with the additional 10% discount offered, it's actually $67.49 for EVERYTHING

thanks all...i do use audio interf. but had the laptop in the kitchen and just wanted to try things plugging into the computer..
i was surprised the latency was low without using audio interf. but i am hoping the break in sound was just that.
 
thanks for the tips and i can't believe good instruments will only cost a $1!!!
 
seriously?
 
jj 

jjvibes
 
thanks for the tips and i can't believe good instruments will only cost a $1!!!
 
seriously?
 
jj 

Yup, seriously!  This product normally retails for $99, or as part of an instrument bundle that upgrades range from $75-150.
 
The $1 sale has popped up at a few online retailers from time to time this year.  I'd say it was worth $99 
 
That $0 sale is new!  Definitely jump on that one!  Just because it's cheap, doesn't mean that it's worthless!
 
Xpand!2 is configured to work like one of those old hardware rack synths with thousands of rompler sounds ready to go for an arrangement.  You can't install your own samples like in a sampler, but what it does contain are very usable for bread and butter sounds.  In my opinion it sounds better than my old Roland rack gear.  It is light on my CPU, and the presets load up very quickly.
 
The AIR Music Tech instruments were at one time only available exclusively in the Pro Tools format as a part of Avid.  But since they split off, they have been released as VST format plugins as well.   All of their instruments are packed with great sounding presets created by professional sound designers.
 
 2500+ total presets and parts in the following categories:

• Soft Pads
• Bright Pads
• Huge Pads
• Action Pads
• Ambience and FX
• Polysynths
• Synth Brass
• Percussive
• Simple Arpeggios
• Multitrack Arpeggios
• Soft Leads
• Hard Leads
• Acoustic Piano
• E-Pianos and Clavinet
• Organs
• Strings
• Vocals
• Brass and Woodwinds
• Mallets
• Bells
• Guitars
• Ethnic
• Hits
• Synth Basses
• Basses
• Drums
• Percussion
• Loops
• Multitimbral

ok! i will be checking this out! sounds like a good stocking stuffer!

I've just downloaded this and had a wail of a time for 20 minutes messing about playing it via a GR-55 Guitar Synth. Triggering the loop drums was really good fun. Still, I'd better go and do some work now.......